‘Development must be regarded as synonymous with enhancing human rights and welfare, so that self-esteem, self-respect and improving entitlements become central concerns.’
(Desai & Potter 2008:1-2)
The Language & Development Conferences have been held every two years, on average, since the early 1990s. They provide an opportunity for language teachers, planners, administrators and researchers to come together to share views and explore issues concerning language use in development contexts.
Each Conference takes place in a different developing country and is organised by a local committee, with support from the Language & Development Conference Trustees and with sponsorship from a wide range of national and international organisations.
The Conferences are planned with regard to a set of Principles and it is intended that each Conference should lead to the publication of an edited volume of proceedings, as a permanent record of the event.
The 9th International Language and Development conference will be held from 17-19 October 2011, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, with the theme Language and Social Cohesion. For further information, have a look at the conference website: www.languageandsocialcohesion.org
Following is a list of Language and Development Conferences held to date:
1993, Bangkok, Thailand ‘Language Programmes in Development Projects’
A selection of papers form the 1993 conference was published as Language & Development: Teachers in a Changing World, edited by Brian Kenny and William Savage and published by Longman. 1997 ISBN 0 582 25866 9
1995, Bali, Indonesia ‘Language & Communication in Development: Stakeholders’ Perspectives’
Language and Communication in Development: Stakeholders’ Perspectives
The conference in Bali, Language and Development: Stakeholders’ Perspectives, produced two publications which are still available. These are:
- Language and Development – a collection of 16 papers from the conference edited by Tony Crooks and Geoffrey Crewes
- ESP in South East Asia – a collection of 7 papers from the conference on issues in English for Specific Purposes in South East Asia. This collection was edited by Tony Crooks.
1997, Langkawi, Malaysia ‘Access, Empowerment, Opportunity’
1999, Hanoi, Vietnam ‘Partnership & Interaction in Language & Development’
2001, Phnom Penh, Cambodia ‘Defining the Role of Language in Development’
2003, Tashkent, Uzbekistan ‘Linguistic Challenges to National Development & International Cooperation’
2005, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia ‘Language & Development’
2009, Dhaka, Bangladesh ‘Language and Development: Socio Cultural Issues and Challenges
2011, Colombo, Sri Lanka ‘Language & Social Cohesion’
