back to Symposium main page

Symposium on

WHAT LANGUAGE POLICIES FOR A MULTILINGUAL EUROPEAN UNION?
or
Do we write the citizens' communication rights and duties into a European Constitution?

Date: 06/05/2003
European Parliament

Brussel/Bruxelles, rue Wiertz straat 43
Paul-Henry-Spaak building, room 4B01

Programme

Part I: Analysis of the communication rights and duties within the European Union
            Chairman: Mr. Willy De Clercq, MEP

(10h-13h)

10h

  A. The "reality" at EU level and in the Member States
10h15  

1. Constitutional language rights and duties in multicultural states (Dr. Yvo Peeters)

    2. The idea of "multilingualism" in theory and in practice
10h30
 

 

What kind of "multilingualism"? (Prof. Dr. Peter Weber)

10h45
 

 

Cases of language discrimination (Mr. Dafydd ap Fergus)

11h00  

Discussion

11h30  

3. Members of various political groups of the European Parliament

11h45  

Discussion

12h15   B. What language options do we have in the European Union? (see paper of study group .zip)
Introduction by a member of the study group and discussion
12h30   C. The responsibility of the Member States as to language teaching (Mrs Lorna Carson)
12h45   Discussion

Part II: The practical steps for the future
               Chairman: Mr. Jean-Maurice Dehousse, MEP
(14h30-17h00)

14h30

  D. Which kind of principles in a European Constitution for safeguarding cultural identities and language diversity? (Mrs. Astrid Thors, MEP)
14h45  

Discussion

   

E. Can a 'planned language' take over some functions of effective and non-discriminatory communication

15h00
 

 

The possibilities and limits of 'planned languages' (Dr. Detlev Blanke)

15h15
 

 

A 'planned language' as an instrument for language learning (Dr. Vera Barandovska)

15h30
 

 

Discussion

  F. What kind of priorities do we need in EU language and/or communication policies?
16h00
 

 

1. Formulating language/communication rights and duties for the EU citizen in a constitutional treaty

 

 

2. Research and practical language experiments (Mr. Hans Erasmus)

 

discussion papers introduced by a member of the "Study group" and discussion

16h30
    Discussion

Part III: Formulation and adoption of a text
               Chairman: Mr. Michael Gahler, MEP
(17h-18h)

17h00   G. Presentation of written conclusions and/or of a declaration
17h15   Discussion and adoption of a communiqué/declaration on commnication rights and duties
18h00
        Farewell drink, European Parliament, information in the conference room

back to Symposium main page