Message from Ms. Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, on the Occasion of World Day of Romani Language

　　教科文组织总干事伊琳娜·博科娃在世界罗姆语日的致辞

　　5 November 2016

　　2016年11月5日

　　World Day of Romani Language, instituted by the UNESCO General Conference, is an opportunity to promote a valuable component of the world’s linguistic and cultural heritage. The Romani language, or Romani ćhib, was declared the official language of all Roma people in the world on the occasion of the first World Romani Congress, held in London in 1971. It is the main system of communication, identity, socialization and cultural integration for the Roma people, who today live dispersed in almost every country of the world.

　　世界罗姆语日由教科文组织大会所设立，它是一个契机，为我们展现出世界语 言和文化遗产中的一块瑰宝。在1971年于伦敦举行的第一届世界罗姆人大会上，罗姆语(Romani ćhib)被宣布为全世界罗姆人的官方语言。它是目前散居在世界各国的罗姆人沟通交流、身份认同、社会交往和文化融入的主要系统。

　　This ancient language is now endangered, and UNESCO recalls the need to preserve and enhance this integral part of the Roma identity, a key vector for conveying cultural traditions that enrich our common humanity. UNESCO is delighted to support the endeavours of researchers, linguists, university professors, writers and journalists who use the Romani language. The Organization also encourages the numerous actions already undertaken at the international level, such as the proposed charter and declaration on the Romani language.

　　而今，这门古老的语言濒临灭绝，教科文组织呼吁有必要保护并珍视这门语言，它不仅是罗姆人身份认同的核心元素，更是人类社会文化传统的重要载体。教科文组织衷心支持罗姆语学者、语言学家、大学教师、作家和记者的工作，同时也鼓励国际范围内已采取的众多行动，诸如推动为罗姆语制定一部宪章和一份宣言。

　　World Day of Romani Language must also further spur us to promote Roma education and culture, in particular encouraging generations of young Roma to learn their mother language in schools. Thus, UNESCO is committed to quality education for Roma children through a special programme, conducted in cooperation with the Council of Europe since 2006. UNESCO and the Council of Europe have accordingly published Guidelines on Preschool Education for Roma Children. Defending a language means supporting a policy to combat all forms of discrimination and to promote social inclusion. Today, I call on all UNESCO’s Member States to pool their efforts to that end.

　　同时，世界罗姆语日也应进一步让我们动员起来，去促进罗姆人的教育和文化发展，尤其是在教育机构中推动年轻一代的罗姆人学习他们的母语。为此，自2006年起，教科文组织同欧洲委员会合作，开展了一项专项计划，致力于罗姆儿童的优质教育问题。教科文组织同欧洲委员会一起，针对罗姆儿童出台了几项关于包容教育和幼儿保育的指导方针。通过捍卫一门语言，我们提倡的是反对各种歧视、崇尚社会包容的一整套政策。值此世界罗姆语日，我呼吁教科文组织所有会员国团结起来，朝着这一方向贡献出各自的力量。

（编辑：何莹莹）