Monthly Archives: February 2014

Seminar and Cultural Programme on Int’l Mother Language Day – 23 February 2014

Dhaka, 23 February: In order to create awareness among the young people about how to protect, preserve, promote and up-hold all languages of the world, UNIC Dhaka and Daffodil Int’l University (DIU) jointly organized a seminar and cultural programme on Int’l Mother Language Day at DIU auditorium on 23 February 2014. The Director-General of Int’l Mother Language Institute was the chief guest while Prof Dr Aminul Islam of DIU was key-note speaker. Kiichi Oyachu, UNESCO OIC  spoke on the occasion as guest of honour. UNIC OIC M. Moniruzzaman delivered an introductory speech and read-out UN SG’s translated message on the Day. The Bangla message was also distributed among the participants. Ex-OIC of UNIC Kazi Ali Reza spoke on the occasion as special guest. Around 200 students took part in the programme. UNESCO OIC formally launched the Daffodil Institute of Langauges. A cultural programme performed by foreign students was staged before the audience. Prizes were distributed among the winners of Language Art Contest which was organized prior to the main events.

 

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Message on International Mother Language Day, 21 February 2014

banner_IMLD_drupal_en

International Mother Language Day celebrates linguistic and cultural diversity alongside multilingualism as a force for peace and sustainable development.

As we work towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals while mapping out a post-2015 sustainable development agenda, this diversity can encourage dialogue, mutual understanding, innovation and creativity. This in turn can help us build more just and inclusive societies. As the late President Nelson Mandela once said, “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart”.

The theme of this year’s observance spotlights the vital role of local languages in advancing science. This will help ensure that the latest scientific knowledge is more widely shared. At the same time, it will help deepen and enrich our global knowledge base with more traditional but often overlooked scientific wisdom.

Let us all join forces to promote linguistic diversity and multilingualism as a key element in our efforts to build a better world and a life of dignity for all.

UN Youth Theme Group: Workshop on Youth Newsletter

 

Untitled-1

Dhaka, 10 February 2014: A workshop of UN Youth Theme Group Newsletter jointly organized and facilitated by UNIC Dhaka, UNV, UNAIDS and UNFPA held at UNIC library on 10 Feruary 2-14. The workshop begins with Ice-breaking Orchestra Game and participated by youngsters of different youth organizations.  It was recommended that the newsletter should be written and prepared by the youths themselves. UNIC, UNV and UNICEF will facilitate and guide the youths to project youth voices and experiences in various fields and create a platform of exchange. The young participants gave their opinion in producing the newsletter by them that will include youth success stories, leadership, problems and solutions, volunteerism, women issues etc. In this regard, a further workshop on content writing skill will be organized where a senior journalist will work as a resource person.