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We celebrate the World Day of Romani Language on November 5.
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THE ROMANI LANGUAGE
Photo credit, from top to bottom: Michael Schmid, Prasanna Kumar.
UNESCO proclaimed the World Day of Romani Language in 2015 to promote the preservation of Romani language and culture, improve the well-being of Romani people, and recognize the importance of all languages, whose diversity is a source of strength for all societies to share.
The Romani language has about 33,000 words and it represents a good basis for its modernization and final standardization. There are 17 dialects but speakers of different dialects can understand each other. There has been substantial work to create a standard idiom, but still, a lot of work has to be done.
UNESCO should continue to take the lead in enhancing intercultural dialogue, fostering cultural rapprochement especially by proclaiming World Day of Romani Language that will help further develop and research of Romani language in the Member States.
A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR
“The Romani language – Romani čhib – is the official language of Roma people the world over, enriched by a long history of migration and a wide and varied range of influences. It is also, however, a particularly fragile language. Because language is perhaps the primary element constituting a culture, that vulnerability threatens to affect Roma culture itself, thereby endangering a unique heritage that is the repository of a vast amount of knowledge. UNESCO aims to contribute to combating discrimination and promote inclusive societies, respectful of their cultural and linguistic diversity.”
— Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of World Day of Romani Language
Home → What’s On → Events → International Days → November 5
International days are celebrations and calls to action. They are for everyone to participate in. This is how you can take part in an International Day in three simple steps.
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Why are International Days important? They provide unique opportunities to transmit UNESCO values to the world.
INTERNATIONAL DAYS
International days also provide a unique opportunity to engage citizens on global issues, to mobilise political will and resources to address these problems, but also to celebrate and reinforce the achievements of humanity as well as remember some of our darkest times as they guide us towards building a better world.
The United Nations International Days are for everyone, all around the globe. Because they are open, you can have an important role to play in them. NGOs, universities, schools, press and more will be putting together campaigns, events, and calls to action worldwide to provide further opportunities to engage, learn, and transmit the values and knowledge associated with each International Day. They serve as an important vehicle to connect the local to the international.
At their root, UN International Days contribute to the achievement of the purposes of the UN Charter and promote awareness of and action on important political, social, cultural, humanitarian or human rights issues. International days are at the heart of the United Nations Charter. They work to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as neighbours, and to unite our strength to maintain international peace and security.
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