Posted by: mfettes@magi.com
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CANADIAN CENTRE FOR LINGUISTIC RIGHTS
TOWARDS A LANGUAGE AGENDA: FUTURIST OUTLOOK ON THE UNITED NATIONS
CONFERENCE: 25-27 MAY 1995
De Celles Lecture Hall (Second Floor) Montpetit Hall, University of
Ottawa, 125 University Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5
BRIEF DESCRIPTION: At the United Nations, in Canada, and elsewhere in
the world, some languages are given an official status. Why is that?
How do these decisions affect services provided to the various
linguistic communities and the development of these communities? Are
there other forms of linguistic recognition? How are linguistic
standards determined and what limits can be considered justified in
free and democratic societies? What are linguistic and cultural rights?
What is the role of the United Nations, as well as that of local and
regional authorities in a world that is growing increasingly
pluriethnic and pluricultural, and where states are moving towards the
globalization of markets? How can domestic and international harmony be
ensured while allowing for individual expression in a diverse world?
How should we plan for the future in the field of linguistic rights in
this United Nations Year for Tolerance? These are but a few of the
discussion topics that will be addressed during this conference.
Simultaneous interpretation (English-French/French-English) will be
ensured with the financial assistance of the Department of Heritage
Canada.
Thursday 25 May 1995
LANGUAGE POLICIES: UN AND ALTERNATIVE VISIONS
09:00 Welcome Address
09:15 Plenary
Language Hierarchy at the UN: Its Justification and Impact
Keynote Address:
Humphrey Tonkin, University of Hartford
09:55 Break
10:15 Parallel Panels
A. Language Policies Worldwide
. The United States
Teresa Scassa, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia
. Nigeria
Niyi Akinasso, Department of Anthropology, Temple
University
. China
Mingway Shan, Master's program, University of Ottawa
B. Language Policies in Canada
. The Coexistence of Two Official Languages within
Canadian Federalism
Richard Tardif, Office of the Commissioner of Offici=
al
Languages
. Provincial One-language Experiences
Joseph Magnet, Common Law Section, University of Ott=
awa
. Policies for the strengthening of French-speaking
communities
* Antonine Maillet, author and chancellor of the
University of Moncton
12:30 Lunch
LANGUAGE POLICIES: UNITED NATIONS AND ALTERNATIVE VISIONS
14:00 Plenary:
Languages at the UN: The Institutions
Keynote Address:
to be confirmed
14:45 Parallel Panels
A. Institutions at the International Level
. The European Union
Antoni Milian-Massana, Departement of Public Law and
Historico-Legal Sciences, Universitat Aut=EFnoma de
Barcelona
. South Africa
August Cluver, Department of Linguistics, University=
of
South Africa
. Federate States
to be confirmed
B. Canadian Institutions
. Language and Justice
Marc Cousineau, Common Law Section, University of Ot=
tawa
. Self-government and the Aboriginal Peoples
Irene Linklater, Common Law Section, University of
Ottawa
. Social Institutions
Normand Labrie, Ontario Institute for Studies in
Education, Toronto
17:00 Break followed by
Reports on the discussions of this day:
Andre Braen, Civil Law Section, University of Ottawa
Josee Bouchard, Common law Section, University of Ottawa
=46riday, 26 May 1995
LINGUISTIC AND CULTURAL STANDARDS
09:00 Plenary
The UN Standards: Challenges of a Diverse World
Keynote Address:
Irit Weiser, Department of Justice Canada
09:45 Break
10:15 Parallel Panels
A. International Models
. The Council of Europe
Didier Rouget, docteur en droit de l'Universite de L=
ille
. India
Lachman Khubchandani, Centre for Communication Studi=
es,
India
. Former USSR
Jacques Maurais, Office de la langue francaise du Qu=
ebec
B. Canadian Models
. Quebec's English-speaking Community
Len Macdonald, Alliance Quebec
. The French-speaking and Acadian Communities
Francois Boileau, Court Challenges Program Canada
. The Aboriginal Peoples
Louise Lahache, from the Mohawk Nation
12:30 Lunch
=46riday, 26 May 1995
LANGUAGES: AN IMPORTANT ISSUE FOR DEVELOPMENT
14:00 Plenary
The UN Agenda for Development: The Role of Languages
Keynote Address:
Robert Phillipson, Denmark
14:45 Parallel Panels
A. Communication and Development at the International Level
. Latin America
Alejandro Argumeno, Cultural Survival (Canada)
. Africa
Raymond Jeunesse, Canadian Organization for Developm=
ent
through Education
. Asia
Lachman Khubchandani, Centre for Communication Studi=
es,
India
B. Communication and Development in Canada
. The Mikmaqs
Marie Battiste, Indian and Northern Education Progra=
m,
University of Saskatchewan
. Section 23 of the Charter and its Application
Jean-Charles Ducharme, Section des droits de la
personne, Ministere de la Justice Canada
. The Field of Immigration
Silvina Ciccarelli, master student, Ontario Institut=
e
for Studies in Education
17:00 Break followed by
Reports on the discussions of this day:
Madeleine Dion Stout, Centre for Aboriginal Education, Research
and Culture, Carleton University
Benoit Pelletier, Civil Law Section, University of Ottawa
Saturday, 27 May 1995
LANGUAGE POLICIES: LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
09:00 Plenary
. Preliminary Reflection on the Merits of a Declaration of
Linguistic Rights
Yves Le Bouthillier, Common Law Section, University of Ottaw=
a
. Promotion of Linguistic Tolerance and Development
Tove Skutnabb-Kangas, University of Roskilde, Denmark
. Esperanto: Present Status and Future Promises
Claude Piron, University of Geneva
11:00 Break
11:30 General Overview of the conference
Michel Doucet, Centre international de la common law en francais,
Moncton University
12:30 Final Discussion and Conference Closure
14:00 Workshop: Drafting of Language Agenda
(by a special committee of approximately ten persons)
* Participation still to be confirmed.
OUR THANKS TO: The Department of Heritage Canada, the Department of
Justice Canada, as well as the University of Ottawa - the Rector's
Office, the Civil Law Section, the Common Law Section, and the French
Common Law Program for their financial assistance in organizing this
Conference. Special thanks also to members of the planning committee
for their time and suggestions.
REGISTRATION FORM
Please indicate your choice of registration
Three day participation $150.00 Cdn
Two day participation $120.00 Cdn
One day participation $75.00 Cdn
Student participation $50.00 Cdn
Conference fees include two dinners, two end of day receptions, break
refreshments: coffee, juice, muffins, croissants in the morning, and
coffee, juice in the afternoon, as well as abstracts of the
conferences.
Please forward your registration form, along with a cheque to the order
of the University of Ottawa, to:
Helene Laporte, Canadian Centre for Linguistic Rights, Faculty of Law
(Common Law), University of Ottawa, 57 Louis-Pasteur Street, P.O. Box
450, Station A, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5
Name: ___________________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Telephone: _______________________ Fax: _________________________
E-Mail: _________________________________________________________
Dietary Restriction: ____________________________________________
Rooms have been reserved until May 5, 1995 (from May 24 to 26) at the
Quality Hotel - Journey's End, 190 Rideau Street, Telephone:
613-789-7511; Fax: 613-789-2434. ($74.00 per night + TPS - single or
double occupancy.
=46or Information or registration:
Telephone 613-562-5800; fax: 613-562-5124
Helene Laporte ext. 3325; E-mail: HLaporte@admin.comlaw.uottawa.ca
Sylvie Leger ext. 3321; E-mail: SLeger@admin.comlaw.uottawa.ca