SIL International Media Release
International language and development conference—four SIL presentations
(2009 June) Language and development: Sociocultural issues and challenges was the theme for the Eighth International Conference on Language and Development held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, 23–25 June. Representatives of SIL from Bangladesh and other Asian countries presented papers and participated in various ways.
The conference theme and focus areas encompassed a broad range of language and development topics, both international and national in scope. They spoke to the impact of language in the development experience which communities do or do not have. Important issues were language policy, language learning and language teaching in the context of the developing world. Policy makers, language and literacy educators, development professionals and donors had opportunities to present their perspectives.
Subthemes
- Language, gender and development
- The role of languages in national and cultural identity
- Sociolinguistic issues: Challenges and opportunities
- Capacity building and national development
- Language and technology
Presentations by SIL speakers
- Catherine Young, International Multilingual Education Consultant working in Bangladesh: "Exploring the underlying principles of the implementation of mother-tongue-first multilingual education as a foundation for quality language education in the national and international languages of education"
- Greg Dekker, Linguistic Researcher: "Lessons learned about the building blocks necessary for a successful mother-tongue education programme: A case study in the Philippines"
- Mridul Sangma, Ujjal Bikash Tripura, Jenny D'Cruze and Tury Chimic Mrong, SIL Bangladesh Mobilisation Unit: "Sustainable development for participation in a multilingual society"
- Joseph Khakha, Zenith Mousumy Sarker and Kury Chisim, SIL Bangladesh Technical Unit: "First language first: The key for effective basic education"
The conference was hosted by the British Council Bangladesh in partnership with the Department for International Development (UK), the University Grants Commission, Institute of Education and Research, University of Dhaka, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh.
SIL International as a partnering organization
Strategic partnerships between SIL, national governments, nongovernmental organizations and academic institutions create a network of expertise and resources to equip members of local language communities for leadership roles in their own language and development efforts.
As an international nongovernmental organization, SIL has special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and formal consultative relations with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Related links of interest
- Official conference Web site
- Language and Millennium Development Goals
- SIL and multilingual education
- National language policy conference (July 2008 media release)
- Language, nationhood and education policies in East Africa (June 2008 media release)
- SIL participates in language policy symposium (April 2009 media release)
- SIL plenary speaker at SEAMEO council conference (April 2009 media release)
- Forum on multilingualism (January 2009 media release)
- Multilingual education conference (July 2008 media release)
- Multilingual education conference in Bangladesh (June 2007 media release)
- Mother-tongue literacy in SIL
- SIL literacy and education