STATES-GENERAL ON THE ITALIAN LANGUAGE IN THE WORLD GET UNDER WAY

Preparatory sessions got under way for the States-General on the Italian Language, an initiative of the Foreign Ministry in collaboration with the Ministries of Education and Culture to be held in next October. The aim is, on one hand, to raise public awareness of the potential of the Italian language and, on the other, to map out possible up-to-date strategies for all actors involved. 

Five working groups to have their say  

From 21st May to the end of July, five workshops made up of prominent representatives of institutional, academic and scientific spheres will be drafting the points of discussion for the States-General meeting. 

The topics of discussion will concern new strategies and tools for linguistic communication, strategies for the promotion of the language in various priority geographical areas and countries, the role of universities and in particular the departments of Italian studies, the role of Italian speakers and communities abroad and the management and tools of Italian language promotion. Any feedback on the topics of discussion can be sent by email. 

Why the States-General?

Since 2001 the Foreign Ministry and its diplomatic network organise various initiatives during the Week of the Italian Language in the World usually held in October with the goal of promoting the Italian language abroad. 

The theme for the 13th ‘Italian Language in the World’ week in 2013 was “Research, Discovery, Innovation: Italian Expertise” and 1200 initiatives were organised by 153 diplomatic missions and cultural institutes in 102 countries. The 14th edition of the Italian Language in the World week will be held on 20th to 25th October 2014 with the theme “Writing a new Europe: Italian publishing, authors and readers in the digital age”.

In the context of the Italian Presidency of the European Union, the States-General will provide the opportunity to examine strategies for the dissemination of the Italian language around the world and for the constructive discussion of new challenges. The event is not a celebratory one but rather one located within the Foreign Ministry’s strategic vision for promoting the entire country system. Prior to the States-General there will be a discussion involving all actors engaged in the promotion of the Italian language – from promoters to Italian speakers and students. After the two days of work a final summary document will be published. 

For more information: http://www.esteri.it/MAE/IT/Politica_Estera/Cultura/PromozioneLinguaItaliana/Stati_Generali_lingua_italiana.htm