The School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Glasgow warmly invites you to the first of two webinars organised as part of the project Gaelic and Sámi: Promoting Mutual Learning in the Protection of Indigenous Languages, conducted in partnership with Várdduo Centre for Sámi Research, Umeå University, Sweden.

The past three decades have seen significant developments in policies and practices geared to promotion of the Gaelic and Sámi languages. The year 2022 also marks 30 years since the drafting of the Council of Europe European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, which (since 2000 in Sweden and 2001 in Scotland) provides a common framework committing signatory governments to resolute action in this field. This seminar will encourage comparative reflection on these developments, by addressing the following questions: what have been the main achievements relating to Gaelic and Sámi language promotion and what kinds of cultural, social, and economic added value have been derived from this? What are the most pressing issues and challenges in the two language contexts at the present time, and how might these be addressed? How effectively do the respective institutional frameworks and relevant bodies (Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Sámediggi) function in terms of promoting the languages and giving voice to the two linguistic communities?

Panellists:

Rob Dunbar, Professor, Chair of Celtic, University of Edinburgh.

Anders Östergren Njajta, Language Consultant, Sámediggi.

Johan Sandberg McGuinne, Teacher in Sámi and English, Lycksele kommun.

Ulla-Karin Sarri, Chair of the Sámi Language Committee (Sámi Parliament of Sweden)

Jim Whannel, Bòrd na Gàidhlig.

Craig Willis, Researcher, European Centre for Minority Issues, Flensburg

Format

09.30-10.30: Opening statements by panellists and initial Q&A

10.30-10.45: Break

10.45-12.00: Roundtable discussion (panellists and online participants)

This webinar will be followed by a second on 3 March (9.30-12.00 UTC) entitled 'Gaelic and Sámi: Digital Aspects of Indigenous Languages Learning' (full details to be advertised shortly). These events form part of a wider project comparing current institutional arrangements for the maintenance and revitalisation of Gaelic and Sámi cultures, with a focus on languages. They will assess the suitability of these arrangements in relation to challenges faced by speakers of these Indigenous languages and discuss possible new or supplementary approaches that could help to realise the potential cultural, social, and economic added value of linguistic diversity. The project as a whole is supported by the Scottish Government Arctic Connections Fund 2021-22 and arises out of the activity of the COST Action European Non-Territorial Autonomy Network (ENTAN – www.entan.org). It seeks to bring together academic experts and practitioners from Scotland, Sápmi, Sweden and beyond to boost public awareness and support knowledge exchange and mutual learning on best-practices to promote Indigenous-languages.