Language Commissioners meet in Toronto, Canada, at the annual Conference of the International Association of Language Commissioners
26 and 27 June 2019
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
On the occasion of the Sixth Annual Conference of the International Association of Language Commissioners (IALC) on the topic "Protecting language minorities, builds stronger societies", Language Commissioner, Mr. Slavisa Mladenovic, is staying in Toronto, Canada as a participant and panellist alongside other language commissioners, people advocates and experts on language rights from around the world.
The host of the Conference, Mr. Paul Dubé, Ombudsperson of Ontario, stated in his speech that it is a great honour and a privilege to welcome the IALC colleagues in Toronto to discuss the preservation of indigenous languages, to discuss the challenges and perspectives of linguistic duality in Canada, as well as to discuss the various mechanisms for respecting language rights throughout the world.
Commissioner Mladenovic, during the two days of the Conference, spoke about respecting linguistic diversity, limits, and opportunities in multilingual societies, with special emphasis on his linguistic specificity in Kosovo, the role of the Office in its exercise and its impact on respecting, preserving and promoting language rights of its citizens throughout the territory of Kosovo.
On the second day of the Conference, IALC will publish a book with contributions from its members and other language experts, titled Constitutional Pioneers: Language Commissioners and Protection of Official, Minority and Indigenous Languages. Book highlights important role played by language commissioners in the protection and promotion of indigenous languages and minorities around the world.
It is worth pointing out that this Conference coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Canadian Official Languages Act and the United Nations Declaration of 2019 as the Year of Indigenous Languages.
About the Association:
The International Language Commissioners Association assists the role of Language Commissioners around the world by cultivating the best practices and standards of excellence and by advancing the equality and diversity of languages.
For more information: http://languagecommissioners.org/welcome.php?lang=3
Office of the Language Commissioner was established in April 2012 under
auspices of the Office of the Prime Minister, pursuant to Regulation
br.07/2012. The Office is mandated to oversee the implementation of the
law on languages, works with institutions to improve the implementation
of the law and promote and protect the right on the use of the language
of all communities in Kosovo.