Here is a press release from last June that I just found via Google at
http://www.africa-union.org/root/UA/Conferences/Juin/SA/20%20juin/launching%20of%202006%20as%20year%20of%20African%20Languages.pdf
AFRICAN UNION
الاتحاد
الأفريقي
UNION AFRICAINE
UNIÃO AFRICANA
Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA P. O. Box 3243 Tél : 511092 (Direct) 517 700
Ext. 220 Fax : 510154
website : www.africa-union.org
PRESS RELEASE NO. 29/2006
LAUNCHING OF 2006 AS THE YEAR OF AFRICAN LANGUAGES
The AU Commission has the honour to invite members of the local and
international media to the Launching Ceremony of 2006 as the Year of
African Languages on 20th June 2006 at 10AM in the Commission
Conference Centre.
As background information to the launch, it should be noted that 6th
Session of the AU Assembly, meeting in Khartoum, the Sudan, adopted
wide-ranging instruments to promote the convergence of social and
cultural views and policies on the continent. Amongst others, the
Statutes to establish the African Academy of Languages (ACALAN) and
the Language Plan of Action for Africa were adopted and endorsed by
the AU Heads of State and Government. In furtherance of this landmark
decision on promoting African languages, the Commission is convening
the official launch and Inaugural Session of the Interim Governing
Board of the Academy of African Languages on the above date. A Guest
of honour representing the Government of the Federal Democratic
Republic of Ethiopia is expected to present the official launch
statement. The Chairperson of the AU Commission and the Commissioner
for Social Affairs will also address the Launching Ceremony and the
event will be attended by other AU Commissioners, Embassies of AU
Member States, UN Agencies, Experts, and members of the diplomatic
community in Addis Ababa.
The Year of African Languages 2006 is indeed a historic continental
event that will usher in the preparations to mark this important
event. The year is important as a contribution in our African
Renaissance as it gives true recognition to the importance of our
culture and our language. African languages constitute the bulk of
common African intangible heritage and serves as an umbilical cord
between generations: past, present and future. The inauguration of the
Academy of African Languages is therefore at the core of Africa's
efforts to renew its commitment to ensuring the promotion of African
languages. The inauguration will be followed by a two-day meeting of
the Interim Governing Board, composed of Ministers and High-Level
representatives for each of the AU five regions.
The Media, too, plays an important role, by placing African languages
at the core of national and regional development. The media is
therefore cordially invited to cover this historic event at 10AM on 20
June 2006.
Addis Ababa, June 20, 2006
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