Karachi, 22 February 2023:

22 Universities in Pakistan participated at an event arranged in observance of the International Mother Language 2023 in Karachi. Vice-Chancellors, Deans, Professors, Researchers and other distinguished academicians participated the event arranged by the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Karachi at its Chancery in the evening on 21 February 2023. Vice Chancellors, Deans, Professors, Researchers, and other distinguished academicians of 22 different universities namely Karachi University, Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Dewan University, SZABIST University, Liaquat National Hospital & Medical College, NED University of Engineering and Technology, Salim Habib University, Preston Institute of Management, Science & Technology, AGA Khan University, KASBIT University, Nazeer Hussain University, Newports Institute of Economics & Technology, Greenwich University, DHA Suffa University, Institute of Business Administration, DOW University of Health Sciences, Habib University, IQRA University, Metropolitan University, ILMA University, SZABUL University, and Bahria University were present.

At the event it was highlighted that the United Nations specialized organization, the UNESCO and its 193 member states observe the International Mother Language Day every year on 21 February in a befitting manner. International Mother Language Day was proclaimed by the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on 17 November 1999. The Member States of the UNESCO have been observing the 21 February as the ‘International Mother Language Day” since 2000. The UN General Assembly welcomed the proclamation of the day in its resolution of 2002. On 16 May 2007 the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution A/RES/61/266 called upon Member States "to promote the preservation and protection of all languages used by peoples of the world".

It was further briefed that UNESCO observed the International Mother Language Day-2023 with the theme “Multilingual education – a necessity to transform education”. The message of the Director-General of UNESCO Madam Audrey Azoulay was read out where she said that mother-tongue-based education is essential to the full development of individuals and to the transmission of linguistic heritage. She further mentioned that 40% of the world’s students do not have access to education in the language they speak or understand best. She expressed here concern as saying “such as situation severely undermines learning, cultural expression and the building of social relations, and significantly weakens the linguistic heritage of humanity”. She emphasized that the aims of the International Mother Language Day are to celebrate the ways of expressing the world in its multiplicity, committing to the preservation of the diversity of languages as a common heritage, and working for quality education – in mother tongues – for all.

Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Karachi Mr. S. M. Mahbubul Alam delivered his speech on the significance of International Mother Language Day. He mentioned that there are about 7,000 languages in the world. But sadly a language disappears and dies in every two weeks. The language extinct forever with an entire cultural and intellectual heritage. He further mentioned that at least 43% of the estimated 7,000 languages spoken in the world are endangered. Only a few hundred languages have genuinely been given a place in education systems and the public domain. Languages, with their complex implications for identity, communication, social integration, education and development, are of strategic importance for people and the planet. Yet, due to globalization processes, they are increasingly under threat, or disappearing altogether. When languages fade, so does the world's rich tapestry of cultural diversity. Opportunities, traditions, memory, unique modes of thinking and expression — valuable resources for ensuring a better future — are also lost.

Deputy High Commissioner elaborated that UNESCO celebrates the 21 February as the International Mother Language Day to safeguard the languages and its heritage globally and therefore all the 193 member countries of UNESCO celebrate the day. UNESCO focuses that 21 February is a day to celebrate and to protect all the languages of the world. 21 February is a day to renew the vows to promote mother languages across the globe. 21 February is a day meant to promote unity in diversity and to deepen national and international understanding through multilingualism and multiculturalism. 21 February, the International Mother Language Day emphasizes to renew the thought process and policies to safeguard linguistic diversity nationwide and worldwide as multilingual and multicultural societies exist through their languages, which transmit and preserve traditional knowledge and cultures in a sustainable way. Because of the celebration of the International Mother Language Day on 21 February since 2000, there is growing awareness that languages play a vital role in development, in ensuring cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue, and also in strengthening co-operation and attaining quality education for all, in building inclusive knowledge societies and preserving cultural heritage to sustainable development.

It was emphasized that UNESCO believes that a language is much more than just a way of communicating and is an important part of one’s culture and emotions. Mother language can change how one sees the world. Mother Languages 'shape millions of developing young minds'. Mother tongue boosts cognitive development as well as intellectual development comparatively faster. Languages are the most important way of keeping own culture alive. Mother tongue helps one stay connected to own culture and own roots. Knowing own mother tongue well is a matter of pride. It boosts one’s confidence and creates awareness in the individual’s mind. Mother tongue has a huge positive influence in defining the personality of an individual. Mother tongue also helps in providing a definite shape to our emotions and thoughts. Learning in mother tongue also is crucial in enhancing other skills such as critical thinking. The mother tongue is the most effective tool of learning- the discussants added.

The discussants including the distinguished academicians reiterated that UNESCO’s theme of the 2023 International Mother Language Day is very significant. UNESCO promotes the motto that the International Mother Language Day recognizes that languages and multilingualism can advance inclusion, and the Sustainable Development Goals focus on leaving no one behind. Multilingualism contributes to the development of inclusive societies that allow multiple cultures, worldviews and knowledge systems to co-exist and cross-fertilize.

Deputy High Commissioner S. M. Mahbubul Alam quoted from Legendary Nelson Mandela: '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.' He concluded as saying, this is why the United Nations and the UNESCO emphasize to promote the preservation and protection of all languages used by peoples of the world by observing the International Mother Language day on 21 February.