June 2008: The Network to Promote Linguistic Diversity (NPLD) has been launched
The Network to Promote Linguistic Diversity (NPLD) has been launched at a meeting in Brussels on Wednesday June 11. The Euro commissioner for Multilingualism, Mr Leonard Orban, addressed the members of the NPLD. He also gave a first outline of the policy paper on multilingualism that will be discussed by the European Commission on the 17th of September. On behalf of the provincial government of Fryslân Mr Jan Slijkhuis (Director of the Department Prosperity and Welfare of the Province of Fryslân) has been spoken about the significance that the Province attaches to the European network, in particular with regard to closer cooperation with other European regional authorities in the field of language policy.
Following the official launch of the NPLD the Mercator Research Centre, in cooperation with the Province of Fryslân, has presented a joint project proposal on distance learning of Frisian and possible other languages. It is a proposal for the further development of instruments for distance learning and contact activities aimed at the acquisition of minority and smaller state languages and to experience their cultures, to be submitted to the Interreg IVc programme. The basis of this proposal is the successful project Edufrysk that was developed over the last two years.
Through its Network of Schools the Mercator Research Centre will strengthen the cooperation of bilingual and trilingual schools throughout Europe and develop project proposals within the Integrated Lifelong Learning Programme.
Through its Network of Schools the Mercator Research Centre will strengthen the cooperation of bilingual and trilingual schools throughout Europe and develop project proposals within the Integrated Lifelong Learning Programme.