” “"Languages and language-learning are essential to promote the values of the Council of Europe in terms of democracy and human rights": Terry Davis, secretary general of the CoE, spoke at the 2007 European Language Day which is celebrated today. Established in conjunction with the EU Commission, after the 2001 Language Year, this special Day covers a number of events in Brussels, in the premises of the Executive of the European Union, one in Graz (Austria), where the European Centre for Living Languages is based, and in many cities across the continent. The CoE and the EU Commission (through commissioner Leonard Orban) list, once again, the three goals of the Day: raising public awareness of the importance of learning foreign languages, increasing awareness and recognition of all languages, encouraging lifelong learning of foreign languages. In Brussels, Barroso’s Commission will submit a report on the 2004-2007 Action Plan on this matter. Some previews show that "the level of implementation is good": especially primary school children are increasingly speaking foreign languages. From tomorrow to Saturday, instead, Graz will host a conference on "Languages for social cohesion: language education in a multilingual and multicultural Europe".” “
