ILARA at the Panel Discussion on Multilingualism of the 10ᵗʰ UNAOC Global Forum

On 27 November 2024, ILARA was honoured to participate in the panel discussion titled “Speaking in Harmony: Embracing Multilingualism in the 21^st Century as an Enabler of Multilateral Diplomacy and a Vector for Cultural Diversity” at the 10^th UNAOC Global Forum in Cascais, Portugal. The panel was a rich exploration of the vital role multilingualism plays in fostering cultural dialogue, enhancing diplomacy and ensuring the preservation of linguistic diversity.

Panelists:

• H.E. Ismail Serageldin, Co-Chair of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, Former Vice-President of the World Bank
• Dr. João Laurentino Neves, Executive Director, Instituto Internacional da Língua Portuguesa
• Professor Anne-Marie Turcan-Verkerk, Director of Studies at École Pratique des Hautes Études (EPHE–PSL), Founder and Former Director of the Institute for Linguistic Heritage and Diversity (ILARA)
• Dr. Samar Samir Mezghanni, Author, Storyteller, #UNAOCyouth (Tunisia), UNAOC Fellow (2016)

Moderator:

• Dr. Jamil Kabbara, Board Member, Fondation Ousseimi

The discussion highlighted the role multilingualism plays in shaping societies, cultures and the world.

Professor Anne-Marie Turcan-Verkerk opened the panel with a reflection on the history of languages and their impact on diplomacy and multiculturalism. She addressed the limitations of the dream of a universal language, explaining that beyond translation, it is essential to understand divergent conceptions of time, peace, war, desires, and fears—an effort critical for negotiation and conflict resolution. Professor Turcan-Verkerk also stressed the positive role of migration and cultural blending in the history of civilisations and the need to encourage displaced individuals to maintain multilingualism as a means of preserving their dignity. She specifically underlined the importance of indigenous languages for preserving ecosystems, as these languages often carry unique knowledge about local environments. In addition, she discussed the role of artificial intelligence in documenting extinct or endangered languages, the international Missing Scripts project aimed at granting digital access to all languages and ILARA’s efforts to preserve rare and precious languages through education and various outreach initiatives.

Dr. Ismail Serageldin discussed the significance of multilingualism in bridging cultural divides and fostering empathy. He reflected on the role multilingualism plays in political contexts, particularly regarding immigration. He acknowledged that while multilingualism enriches societies, it also faces resistance, particularly when political forces exploit language differences to drive wedges between communities. He pointed to the challenges faced by Western democracies and the rise of populism, which often feeds off fear of cultural diversity. Nonetheless, Dr. Serageldin reaffirmed that multilingualism is vital for diplomacy, trust-building and peaceful coexistence. He cited the example of post-World War II Europe, where countries like Germany and France, once bitter enemies, now collaborate in the European Union, a testament to the power of multilingualism in fostering long-term peace.

Dr. João Laurentino Neves described multilingualism as not just being about languages but also about identity and citizenship. He spoke about the evolving nature of multilingualism, stressing the importance of education and public policy in promoting it. He pointed out that while a little less than half of the world’s population has multilingual skills, most still lack access to these tools, which are vital for navigating the modern, interconnected world. Dr. Neves also discussed the challenges of globalisation and technology, noting that while the Internet has become a crucial tool for promoting multilingualism, many languages remain underrepresented in the digital space. Only a fraction of the world’s languages have full digital support, with many others at risk of disappearing due to a lack of online representation.

Dr. Samar Samir Mezghanni took the floor to present a compelling case for multilingualism as a bridge to both the self and the other. As a multilingual author, she shared her personal story of learning languages and writing books for children, reflecting on how acquiring new languages expands not only one’s vocabulary but also one’s imagination and ability to empathise. She stressed that multilingualism fosters understanding and love, counteracting the narratives of fear and division that dominate the global discourse today. She drew from her personal experience when pointing out the role of translation in making cultures accessible and promoting peace through shared understanding.

Finally, Dr. Jamil Kabbara wrapped up the panel by reflecting the importance of artificial intelligence in language translation, though he cautioned that technology alone cannot replicate the human emotional connection necessary for true cultural exchange. He noted the importance of emotional intelligence alongside technological advances in ensuring that multilingualism serves as a tool for global cooperation and mutual respect.

The panel highlighted the power of multilingualism not only as a practical skill but as a foundational tool for fostering empathy, respect and collaboration across cultures. It is clear that multilingualism is integral to building a more inclusive, peaceful world, and it must be promoted through education, technology, and thoughtful public policies.

The recording of the thematic panel is available here.

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