The Section for Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship of the EESC
The Section for Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) held a meeting in Brussels on 9 July. The following opinion was discussed and adopted by its members:
SOC/361 The EU's multilingualism policy
The Education, Youth and Culture Council of 21 November 2008 adopted conclusions on encouraging cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue in the Member States' and Union's external relations, together with a resolution on a European strategy for multilingualism.
The Commission has since set up two consultation platforms: one for associations and NGOs active in the education and culture sector and the other for economic interests, which brings together the social partners and universities, together with the EESC as an observer.
In recent years, the EESC has drawn up two opinions for the European institutions on Europe's multilingualism strategy: 1) The first, A new framework strategy for multilingualism related to the framing of a new strategy presented by the European Commission in 2005; and 2) The second came in response to a request by Commissioner Orban on 4 February 2008 to help the Commission draft a communication on Multilingualism: an asset for Europe and a shared commitment.
Multilingualism policy is part of the EESC's political priorities and its presidency's programme for 2008-2010, since it helps improve the economy's competitiveness, achieve the Lisbon strategy goals and strengthen European integration through intercultural dialogue ("unity in diversity").
The multilingualism policy drawn up in 2006 is now in its implementation and development phase. This additional opinion therefore aims to monitor developments in this area and the measures adopted by the Commission, more specifically, by DG EDUC, and to complement and update the EESC's recommendations, particularly as regards life-long learning, training for adults, employment and sustainable economic, cultural and social impact.
Vladimíra Drbalová
International Organisations and EU
EESC member
