Preparatory seminar for the national conference on multilingualism

D ix years after the first Conference on multilingualism in overseas France (EGM OM) held in Cayenne, the General Delegation for the French Language and the Languages of France will be organising the second edition of these meetings on Réunion Island in October 2021.

A preparatory seminar will be held in French Guiana to bring together the various stakeholders to discuss these different issues. The debates will alternate between arguments based on scientific knowledge, "feedback from experience" and general presentations.

The seminar has a number of objectives:

• Take stock of the implementation of the recommendations from the 2011 EGM-OM in Cayenne (Cayenne Declaration).
• Enhancing the value of local languages by promoting their use in public space and life.
• Take children's mother tongues into account during their schooling, to prevent failure at school.
• Take into account the actual situation of linguistic practices and accept the fact that French is not necessarily the language used on a daily basis, either because it is a language that is not mastered by the local population, or even completely unknown, or because the local population is very attached to using their languages and passing them on.
• Take into account the fact that indigenous languages are vectors of knowledge, particularly in relation to the environment and the rational management of natural resources.
• Promote a balanced multilingualism that enhances the value of languages that are still too invisible in the national arena.
• Encouraging cultural creation in indigenous languages.
• The place of local languages in the various territories, in the educational, cultural, public and health sectors, etc.
• Gather testimonials on good practice and existing difficulties.
• Identify areas for discussion (linguistic accessibility of public services, better promotion of local languages, etc.).