Geopolitical Instability and the Value of Multilingualism
13 June 2025
Symposium of the Study Group on Language and the United Nations
The world is experiencing what many are calling a polycrisis precipitated by climate change, geopolitical conflicts, political instability, social inequalities, economic challenges, misinformation, environmental degradation, health emergencies, and more. It would be easy in this time of turmoil to dismiss multilingualism as a minor concern and distraction—a luxury we cannot afford or simply a low priority until the world has other crises under control.
Focusing on the essential role that multilingualism plays in multilateralism, peace, and shared understanding, especially in times of geopolitical crisis, this virtual half-day symposium brings together stakeholders, including United Nations staff members, government officials, university scholars, and members of civil society, to address the value of multilingualism in practice.
08:30–12:00 – New York
14:30–18:00 – Geneva
15:30–19:00 – Nairobi
19:30–23:00 – Bangkok
Online | Register Here by 12 June 2025
In collaboration with
CLPP Consortium for Language Policy and Planning
Registration Link
Geopolitical Instability and the Value of Multilingualism
The world is experiencing what many are calling a polycrisis precipitated by climate change, geopolitical conflicts, political instability, social inequalities, economic challenges, misinformation, environmental degradation, health emergencies, and more. It would be easy in this time of turmoil to dismiss multilingualism as a minor concern and distraction—a luxury we cannot afford or simply a low priority until the world has other crises under control.
Yet, it is through language that we understand our world, create and share knowledge, and communicate with one another.The only way we can address the world’s current problems is through meaningful dialogue about solutions.
In a polycrisis, we must seek polysolutions like multilingual communication. Linguistic diversity brings with it a diversity of people and ideas from communities across the globe. How can we ensure that they are all included and that no possibilities are missed or voices unheard simply because of a lack of language capacity?
The present symposium draws attention to the value of multilingualism for the United Nations, Member States, non-governmental organizations, civil society, the private sector, and other stakeholders in light of the confluence of contemporary geopolitical crises.
Objectives
This symposium focuses on the importance and often neglected role of multilingualism in bringing about and sustaining geopolitical stability. Attention will be given to discussions of global communications, including advances in technology and language services (interpretation and translation); multilingual education and literacies; and the role of civil society in supporting multilingualism. The objectives of the symposium are:
- To discuss the role of languages in addressing current geopolitical challenges.
- To address the affordances and constraints of new technologies and their application in the work of language services, discussing how technological and civil partnerships may contribute globally to “peace, justice and strong institutions” (SDG 16).
- To emphasize the importance of multilingual education and multiliteracies based on learners’ own languages for “quality education” (SDG 4) and long-term global stability.
- To facilitate dialogue among leaders of the United Nations, member states, civil society, academia, and other stakeholders in order to foster deeper understanding of the role of language in tackling global crises and advancing innovative solutions in support of SDG 4, 16 and 17.
Programme
Friday, 13 June 2025
08:30–08:40 Opening and Welcome
Prof. Humphrey Tonkin, Chair, Study Group on Language and the United Nations
Prof. Francis M. Hult, Chair, NGO Committee on Language and Languages
08:40–08:50 Featured Speaker
H.E. Mr. Michel Xavier Biang
Permanent Observer for the International Organization of la Francophonie to the United Nations
08:50–09:30 Dialogue Session 1: Multilingual Education
Ms. Bodiel Fall, Coordinator of program École et Langues Nationales (ELAN), Institut de la Francophonie pour l’éducation et la formation (IFEF), Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF)
Mr. Mamadou Ly, Executive Director, Associates in Research and Education for Development (ARED), Dakar, Senegal
Dr. Youssouf Haidara, Linguist and Multilingual Education Expert, Bamako, Mali
Moderated by Dr. Erina Iwasaki, University of Notre Dame
09:30–09:40 Break
09:40–10:20 Dialogue Session 2: Technology and Language Services
Ms. Sibongile Khoza, PhD candidate, University of the Witwatersrand, and Head of Hansard in the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature
Ms. Irina Paramonova, International Association of Conference Interpreters, Conference Interpreter
Mr. Raphaël Toussaint, Directorate-General for Translation of the European Commission, Translator/Terminologist
Moderated by Dr. Alice Leal, University of the Witwatersrand
10:20–11:00 Dialogue Session 3: Civil Society
Dr. Diep Nguyen, President, Center for Applied Linguistics
Moderated by Prof. Humphrey Tonkin and Prof. Rosemary Salomone, Study Group on Language and the United Nations
11:10–11:50 Dialogue Session 4: Global Communications
Ms. Mita Hosali, Deputy Director of the United Nations News and Media Division
Moderated by Prof. Francis M. Hult and Prof. Lisa McEntee-Atalianis, Study Group on Language and the United Nations
11:50–12:00 Concluding Remarks
Dr. Carol Benson
Prof. Francis M. Hult
Prof. Lisa McEntee-Atalianis
Prof. Rosemary Salomone
Prof. Humphrey Tonkin
