The US Congress has introduced a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of International Mother Language Day in bringing attention to the importance of preserving linguistic and cultural heritage through education.
US Representative Grace Meng brought the resolution in an effort to encourage the people of the United States to observe International Mother Language Day with appropriate ceremonies, programmes, and activities, according to the text of the resolution.
The resolution was assigned to a congressional committee on Saturday which will consider it before possibly sending it on to the House or Senate as a whole.
Unesco’s General Conference in November 1999 proclaimed February 21 as International Mother Language Day.
On May 16, 2007, the UN General Assembly in its resolution called upon member states ‘to promote the preservation and protection of all languages used by peoples of the world’.
By the same resolution, the General Assembly proclaimed 2008 as the International Year of Languages to promote unity in diversity and international understanding through multilingualism and multiculturalism.
Source: UNBconnect
