Australian Parliament Acknowledged 1952's Language Movement
2010-2011-2012-2013
THE PARLIAMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
NOTICE PAPER
(www.aph.gov.au/housenp)
No. 151
WEDNESDAY, 13 FEBRUARY 2013
The House meets at 9 a.m.
No. 151—13 February 2013
Page 61
22 MS OWENS: To move—That this House:
(1) notes that 21 February is International Mother Language Day, which has been celebrated every year since February 2000 when it was designated by UNESCO;
(2) acknowledges the:
(a) many different linguistic communities present in Australia and the significant contribution each of them makes to the cultural and linguistic diversity of our nation; and
(b) important role that preserving one’s mother language plays in maintaining expressive, communicative and cultural traditions in our culturally diverse nation;
(3) recognises that linguistic diversity is a key element of cultural diversity and that recognition of this diversity is a step towards greater intercultural understanding and harmony;
(4) acknowledges the special significance International Mother Language Day has for the Bengali community in Australia, commemorating the day in 1952 when Bengalis lost their lives while peacefully protesting the right to speak their mother language; and
(5) congratulates all community based organisations for promoting linguistic and cultural diversity in Australia and internationally. (Notice given 11 February 2013. Notice will be removed from the Notice Paper unless called on on any of the next 8 sitting Mondays including 18 March 2013.)
