Brussels, 22/04/2003 (Agence Europe) - 'What kind of linguistic policies for a multilingual European Union?' or 'Shall we write down citizens' communication rights and duties in a European Constitution?' Such are the themes of the symposium to be held in Brussels on 6 May. Many European MPs and experts on linguistic communication will be taking part. The symposium has been organised by the European Movement Belgium, Forum for Language Rights and Cultural Diversity, International Academy of Language Law, Research Centre on Multilingualism and the Study Group on Communication and Language Problems in the EU, in collaboration with numerous European MPs, the European Foundation Madriaga (College of Europe) and the European Bureau for Lesser Used Languages.
During the event, the participants will examine, under the presidency of Willy De Clercq (ELDR, Belgium), communication rights and duties within the EU and the situation in Member States. Under the presidency of Jean-Maurice Dehousse (PSE, Belgium), they will be looking into advanced practices for the future, inter alia, principles to be integrated into a European Constitution to safeguard cultural identities and linguistic diversity. Michael Gahler (PPE-DE, Germany) will be responsible for editing the conclusions on communication rights and duties. The event will close with the adoption of a final declaration on 'Citizens' communication rights and duties'.