June 2006 International Language and Law Conference – 'Give greater protection to the worl

Galway, 14-17 June NUI Galway

An international, trilingual (English, French and Irish) conference will take place in NUI Galway, organised by Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge and the Irish Centre for Human Rights and sponsored by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs from 14 to 17 June in the Millennium Arts Building. The theme of the conference is: Language Law and Language Rights: The Challenges of Enactment and Implementation.

Delegates from over 20 countries will attend to discuss and debate law and language.

"The conference is an excellent opportunity for the Gaeltacht, Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge and NUI Galway to take a key role in the national and international debate on language and human rights, and to highlight the situation of the Irish language as a positive example of what can be achieved," said Seosamh Mac Donnacha, Academic Coordinator, Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge.

He continued, "The Irish language is now a working language of the European Union, and the Official Languages Act is currently being implemented. It is a chance for us all, also, to learn from the experience in other countries."

The Conference will call on UNESCO and the United Nations to give greater protection to minority languages around the world.

Keynote speakers include:

• Éamon Ó Cuív, Minister of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs
• Séan Ó Cuirreáin, an Coimisinéir Teanga/The Language Commissioner
• Philip Blair, Director, Directorate of Cooperation for Local and Regional Democracy, Council of Europe
• Dzenana Hadziomerovic, Legal Advisor to the High Commissioner for National Minorities
• Fernand de Varennes, Australian expert

For more information and to register, see http://www.conference.ie/Conferences/index.asp?Conference=24

Contact/teagmháil: Áine Uí Ghiollagáin spokesperson/urlabhraí 10th International Conference on Language and Law 10ú Comhdháil Idirnáisiúnta ar Theanga agus Dlí Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge Gaillimh 091 595987 087 68 22 517

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