Bangkok--4 Jul--Thana Burin Asia Pacific The Royal Institute of Thailand takes further step organising the first international conference on “National Language Policy: Language Diversity for National Unity” to explore linguistic diversity for Thailand development, as well as gather positive collaboration from Thai and international participants on further setting National Language Policy. To reach those objectives, The Royal Institute of Thailand in co-operation with Australian Embassy; United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO-Bangkok), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF-Thailand), Southeast Asian Minister of Education Organization (SEAMEO), and SIL International supported by Ministry of Culture of Thailand, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), and Thai Airways International organises Thailand’ s first international conference entitled “National Language Policy: Language Diversity for National Unity” from 4-5 July 2008 at The Twin Towers Hotel, Bangkok. Dr Chai-Anan Samudavanija, President of The Royal Institute of Thailand, who presided over the official opening of the “National Language Policy: Language Diversity for National Unity” international conference, said “Language touches all of us daily. Some people see language as merely a tool for communication. However, it is actually much more, as language is the foundation of thinking and reasons. It is also a symbol of identity, as well as the repository of a culture’s wisdom. Language policies can address many areas of concern, including ethnic minority languages, the languages of migrants, the languages of the physically disabled, translation services, language-in-education practices, and international languages.” He further said, “National Language Policy: Language Diversity for National Unity international conference is an important step for the whole kingdom of Thailand in setting up the National Language Policy, as it brings together linguists, government officials, and educators from several countries,. This helps all of us learn from one another, and grow in understanding of the language issues that are facing Thailand and the world.” Mr Sheldon Shaeffer, Director of UNESCO Bangkok, said “Languages really do matter for people at UNESCO. They are important both in themselves and in the role they can play in achieving the Millennium Development Goals and Education for All goals; in expressing identity and serving as repositories of history, in contributing to the sum of human knowledge, and in promoting sustainable development through the transmission of local, indigenous knowledge and the maintenance of linguistic and cultural diversity. This principle is important to UNESCO as it serves a fundamental basis of the recent approved Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity which recognises relationship among biodiversity, cultural diversity, and linguistic diversity.” Dato’ Dr Ahamad bin Sipon, Director, Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO), said “Southeast Asia is home to many diverse languages and cultures. Thus, all nations of this region are interested in language issues. It is also the mission of SEAMEO to engage in activities and programmes that impact educational issues common to all eleven of our member countries” Ms Anne Reynolds, Counsellor for Education, Science and Training, Australian Education International, said “Australian’s national language is English and the medium of instruction in educational system is English. However, languages other than English are also valued and encouraged. In fact, more than 15 percent of Australians speak languages other than English at home. Australians speak more than 200 languages including Indigenous Australian languages. The Australian Government considers that learning foreign languages is important to Australia’s future security and prosperity in an increasing globalised world.” Ms Carolyn Miller, Former President of SIL International, said “Language development and language planning within a nation depend on wise and future-thinking policies. Only as a nation values its heritage of diversity and actively encourages it through policies and actions, it can continue to enjoy this rich diversity. This conference thus performs a service of real value not only to minority language communities, but to the country of Thailand as a whole.” Dr Chai-Anan further added “Language issues are truly the global issues which we realize by having participants from all six continents during this international conference. We are delighted for the participating keynote and plenary speakers, all world-class experts in their fields, who will be sharing their insight with us. Indeed, we value all the experiences and opinions and we look forward to two days of scholarly exchange — an experience which we believe will be beneficial to everyone. “As Thailand is the host for the international conference, I would like to encourage my fellow Thai participants to pay special attention to these discussions, to be inspired to conduct research and further studies into this area, and thus to collaborate with the Royal Institute of Thailand in gathering the data needed to provide scholarly input to the Thai government on language policies that can benefit the Kingdom,” Dr Chai-Anan concluded. For more information please contact: Yuwadi Chombun (089 669 5286) Kasemsri Kaewthammachai (081 611 4696) Thana Burin Asia Pacific Co Ltd Tel: 02 634 3281 Fax: 02 231 6230 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]