"Languages matter!" This is the slogan of the seminar organised by UNESCO and the UN department of Public Information which will be held tomorrow and the day after tomorrow at the United Nations building in New York, as the International Year of Languages, which was launched by the United Nations last 21 February on the International Mother Language Day, is coming to an end (21 February 2009). According to Koïchiro Matsuura, UNESCO’s Director-General, "languages are essential to the identity of groups and individuals and to their peaceful coexistence." Hence the commitment to "ensure that the importance of linguistic diversity and multilingualism in educational, administrative and legal systems, cultural expressions and the media, cyberspace and trade, is recognised at the national, regional and international levels." At this regard, good practices from different countries across the world will be presented as an example at the seminar. On 21st February 2009 at the end of the International Year, UNESCO will publish the new edition of the Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger of Disappearing. ” ” ” ” ” “
