RML2future

The network RML2future is dedicated to the promotion of multilingualism and linguistic diversity in the Europe of the 21st century, actively involving the regional and minority languages (RML).

After the Network for Multilingualism and Linguistic Diversity has been selected as one of the projects accepted for funding under the EU-programme Lifelong Learning, it will start its activities in the year 2009. The network will work on active language policies and
language promotion, with the aim to contribute to increased European multilingualism
actively including the regional or minority languages.

FUEN – as the largest European umbrella organisation of the autochthonous national minorities – is the founder of the network and initiator of the consortium. After an assessment of the needs amongst its member organisation and after several consultations and inquiries FUEN decides to establish a network in the field of languages and find the competent partners that are needed for this network.

The aim of the network is to promote the European objective of multilingualism, according to which each European should learn two additional languages beyond the proficiency of his/her mother tongue. In the course of this the European regional and minority languages are integrated and the pursuit is followed to use this resource of natural bi- and multilingualism. Because it is the potential of multilingual regions that must be exploited in regard to the European objective and in the context of a positive effect for maintaining linguistic diversity.

For the multilingual regions in Germany, Denmark, Austria, Belgium and Italy that have been selected for the first years of the action of the network, scenarios for language transmission in the context of European multilingualism using the minority languages will be developed. These
scenarios serve subsequently for the use of the results to other multilingual regions, comprise
scientific results and guidance for professionals and decision makers. These scenarios will be
supported by actions in the field of early language learning, languages in adult education and
certification and testing of language proficiency.

To exploit the regional education potentials in cooperation between professionals, experts and decision makers and to create the establishment of language friendly environments in the regions, integrating the minority languages, the network is aiming at the acquisition of necessary know-how in the field of language planning and language policies amongst the participants.

Link to the homepage

Contact
FUEN Judith Walde
EURAC Sabine Wilmes

Duration
3 years: January 2009 – December 2011

Partners
Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN) - Applicant / Contractor
European Academy in Bolzano (EURAC) – Coordinator
German-speaking community in Belgium – Agency for European Education programmes
Højskolen Østersøen, institution for adult education
Council of the Carinthian Slovenes
Youth of European Nationalities,