Category: Events

Semiotic Superdiversity in an Urban Linguistic Landscape: Mozambique (Online)

EventsSarita Monjane Henriksen, Semiotic superdiversity in an urban linguistic landscape: A case study in Mozambique, University of Jyväskylä, Finland, 16 September 2024, 17:00 EEST (Online).

One of the most defining features of African countries has been their multilingual and multicultural nature, with citizens being mostly bilingual or plurilingual and proficient in a variety of languages. However, as a result of increasing mobility and migration, European countries — once perceived as relatively homogenous in linguistic and cultural terms — now also display growing levels of superdiversity. This raises challenges regarding language management in schools and classrooms, and in society at large.

This paper looks at Mozambique, one of the most highly linguistically diverse countries in the world, with its official language Portuguese co-existing alongside various languages of African origin, and other European languages such as English and French, as well as Asian languages. The paper analyses societal and education language policies and practices through an ethnographic semiotic lens. Key foci include people’s perceptions and views on existing languages, official discourses on languages, discussions of language hierarchies, and the role of language in education and development. Further issues of linguistic human rights in education and society are also covered. Altogether this highlights the key insights brought about from a thorough analysis of semiotic superdiversity in an urban landscape in the global south.

This is one of the University of Jyväskylä Online English Seminars for 2024-25. The event will be live-streamed online with interactive Q&A after the talk. All are welcome to attend.

International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations 2024

EventsInternational Day for Dialogue among Civilizations, as established by the United Nations in June 2024, will now occur on 10 June every year.

Underlining the need to raise awareness of the value of diversity of civilizations and promote dialogue, mutual respect, tolerance and global solidarity, the General Assembly today adopted by consensus a resolution declaring 10 June the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations. The text titled “International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations” (document A/78/L.75) was adopted by consensus.

By the resolution, the Assembly also invited all Member States and other relevant stakeholders to commemorate the International Day appropriately, including through educational and public awareness-raising activities, and share best practices in this regard.

The representative of China, introducing the text, spotlighted multiple interlocking crises and widening peace and development deficits facing the world, which “is entering a new era of instability”, leaving humanity “at a crossroads of history”. Dialogue among civilizations effectively prevents discrimination and prejudice, enhances cooperation and trust, and strengthens solidarity. “There is no alternative to such dialogue,” he emphasized, adding that the UN will be holding the Summit of the Future in September to find systemic solutions to current challenges at this pivotal juncture in history. The text reaffirms that all civilizational achievements constitute a collective heritage of humankind, noting that civilizations flourish in contact with others. He underscored that dialogue among civilizations contributes to improved awareness of the universal values of humanity.

Speaking in explanation of position, the representative of the United States welcomed calls for intercultural exchange. However, he pointed out, the word “civilization” has no clearly defined meaning within international law or the UN system. In the present resolution, “we believe it to be synonymous with the idea of cultures”, he asserted, adding that valuing cultural diversity is a concept that the world has embraced. “No single Government can exercise a monopoly over identity,” he stated, urging for vigilance vis-à-vis how words like “civilizations” are used.

World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development 2024

EventsWorld Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, as established by the United Nations in December 2002, occurs on 21 May every year.

It “celebrates not only the richness of the world’s cultures, but also the essential role of intercultural dialogue for achieving peace and sustainable development.”

On this Day, UNESCO would like to call upon everyone to celebrate cultural diversity, through which we will be able to build the intellectual and moral solidarity of humankind.

Audrey Azoulay
Director-General of UNESCO

UNESCO International Forum on the Futures of Education 2024 (Republic of Korea)

EventsUNESCO International Forum on the Futures of Education, Suwon – Gyeonggido, Republic of Korea, 2-4 December 2024.

(So far, very little information is available describing this event, beyond the announcement of the date, and that it will be in person rather than online. What has been published is information about what has led to the event.)

In November 2021, the International Commission on the Futures of Education issued a report titled “Reimagining our futures together: A new social contract for education” following a two-year worldwide consultation and reflection facilitated by UNESCO. This Center was one of the organizations consulted; see the report of our conclusions. Basically we argued that they needed to include intercultural dialogue as one of their goals.

CID Poster 14: 10 Ideas

The full UNESCO report, Reimagining our Futures Together, is available as well.

3rd Annual World Council for Intercultural & Global Competence: Global Forum (USA but Online)

Events3rd Annual Global Forum of the World Council on Intercultural and Global Competence, 14-26 May 2024, Online.

World Council's 3rd annual Global ForumJoin the 3rd Annual Global Forum of the World Council on Intercultural and Global Competence for a virtual gathering of experts, educators, policymakers, researchers, students, and practitioners from around the world to discuss intercultural competence and global understanding. This year’s theme will be “Exploring the Intersections of Intercultural Competence and Peacebuilding.” This online event will feature engaging keynote speakers, discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities to enhance your skills and knowledge in this critical area.

The cost for forum registration is $100 (note that registration is non-refundable; sessions will be recorded).

6th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue (Azerbaijan)

Events6th World Forum on Intercultural dialogue, Baku, Azerbaijan, 1-3 May 2024.

The 6th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, operating under the theme “Dialogue for Peace and Global Security: Cooperation and Interconnectivity,” is being held in Baku, Azerbaijan, co-sponsored by the government of Azerbaijan, UNESCO, UNAOC, and other organizations. The primary objective is to explore the critical intersections between dialogue facilitation, cooperative frameworks, leadership efficacy, and the complex dynamics of interconnectedness, all in the service of advancing global peace and security. A number of the panels are being recorded, and are being made available on UN Web TV.

Wendy Leeds-Hurwitz participated in the first of these World Forums, and wrote about it at the time, including photos.

International Jazz Day 2024

Events

International Jazz Day, as established by UNESCO in 2011, occurs every year on April 30.

International Jazz Day, proclaimed by the UNESCO General Conference in 2011, is a global celebration of jazz music held annually on 30 April. It aims to raise awareness on the role of jazz as an educational tool and as a force for creativity, dialogue and intercultural exchange, and highlights how jazz:

  • breaks down barriers and creates opportunities for mutual understanding and tolerance;
  • is a vector of freedom of expression;
  • brings people together in celebration and reduces tensions between individuals, groups, and communities;
  • encourages artistic innovation, improvisation, new forms of expression, and inclusion of traditional music forms into new ones; and
  • stimulates intercultural dialogue and empowers young people from marginalized societies.

Taos Institute: Pathways to Relational Resilience 2024

EventsPathways to Relational Resilience, Taos Institute, 31 May-1 June, 2024, 12:00pm-2:30pm EDT each day (online).

A 2-part workshop featuring the use of the arts and reflective dialogue to create relational resilience in the midst of conflict. Hosted by Taos Institute Vice-President Sheila McNamee and Taos Institute Associate Deb Nathan.

Whether it’s conflict between nations, within families, between partners, or with colleagues, it is challenging to find ways to move beyond conflict towards greater understanding and an appreciation of difference. However, it is not impossible, and hope can be found even amid the deepest of divides. How do we hold on to our beliefs while making room for other perspectives? As the political and social aspects of the world in which we live become more polarized, how do we learn to tolerate difference and listen to viewpoints that differ dramatically from our own? How do we work together and learn to value difference?

This online workshop features relational alternatives to more traditional approaches to conflict resolution. Participants will explore a unique approach to engaging with conflict that encourages the development of relational resilience in participants by helping them learn to think critically and creatively, and to appreciate the value of difference.

Participants will engage in interactive experiences that incorporate the utilization of art and reflecting dialogue to illustrate how the two can work together to shift from conflict to curiosity and generate constructive understandings of difference.

Language Policy and Activism Beyond Academia (UK but Webinar)

EventsLanguage Policy and Activism Beyond Academia, University of Edinburgh (webinar), 2 May 2024, 14:00 EDT.

In This webinar offers a space to hear about and discuss ways in which language policy scholars can contribute to language policy issues outside of academia. We will host three guest speakers whose important work goes beyond academia to uphold linguistic and social justice. Guest speakers will share insights from their ongoing engagement and activist work with a range of supranational NGOs. The speakers’ presentations will be followed by an extended Q&A and discussion. The discussion will be chaired by the co-convenors of the Language Policy BAAL SIG Dr. Florence Bonacina-Pugh and Dr. Elisabeth Barakos.

Presentation 1: The European Language Equality Network: the campaign for Europe’s minoritised and endangered languages by Dr. Davyth Hicks, Secretary-General, European Language Equality Network (ELEN)

Presentation 2: Challenging monolingual perspectives in a South American multilingual border region by Dr. Isis Ribeiro Berger, Associate Professor at UNIOESTE (Western Paraná State University, Brazil). Also member of the UNESCO Chair on Language Policies for Multilingualism.

Presentation 3: Language Policy Confidential: Seen and Unseen Work in the Service of Multilingualism by Professor Francis M. Hult, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

 

Malta Biennial: Intercultural Dialogue (2024)

Events

Redazione. (13 March 2024). Malta’s first biennial opened under the banner of intercultural dialogue. Finestre sull’Arte.

“The first Malta Biennial…March 13 to May 31, 2024…focuses on themes such as intercultural dialogue, migration, colonial history, the environment, and memory.

In an era marked by global challenges and tensions, the Biennale aims to stand as a beacon of hope, using culture and art as a bridge to a more harmonious and inclusive future. The works on display thus explore crucial themes such as migration, colonial history, the environment and memory, urging the viewer to think critically and participatively about the most pressing issues of our time.

This Biennale is not only meant to be a celebration of contemporary art, but also a statement of intent and a concrete commitment to promoting intercultural dialogue and global solidarity through artistic expression. With its rich history and unique location in the heart of the Mediterranean, Malta has always been an important center of creativity and innovation, a crossroads of cultures and identities that intertwine and mutually enrich each other. Against this backdrop, the Malta Art Biennale aims to reaffirm the crucial role of art in shaping our world in profound and meaningful ways, inviting the public to consider the issues, of urgent relevance, that artists raise through their works.”