Marking International Mother Language Day, UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova emphasized that “mother languages in a multilingual approach are essential components of quality education, which is itself the foundation for empowering women and men and their societies.'
She underscored the need to recognize and nurture this power, in order to “leave no one behind” and “craft a more just and sustainable future for all.'
This year's theme of the Mother Language Day is “quality education, language(s) of instruction and learning outcomes,” she said.
Goal 4 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development focuses on quality education and lifelong learning for all, to enable every woman and man to acquire skills, knowledge, and values to become everything they wish and participate fully in their societies, she said, noting that this is especially important for girls and women, as well as minorities, indigenous peoples, and rural populations.
