In recent years there has been a marked loss of support for learning foreign languages, leading to a rise in intolerance towards other people and cultures and the languages they speak. The acceptance of minority and migrant languages is also under threat. These concerns are directly addressed in Recommendation CM/Rec(2022)1 on the importance of plurilingual and intercultural education for democratic culture.
 

The mission of the European Centre for Modern Languages (ECML) , based in Graz, Austria, is to promote excellence and innovation in language education practice. It works with language professionals to develop research-informed solutions to key challenges in language education. It runs four-year programmes which provide the framework for multilateral development projects, organises in-country capacity building and runs a range of activities for a wider public.

The ECML coordinates the European Day of Languages each year on 26 September, which promotes the continent’s rich linguistic diversity and highlights the many and varied benefits of language learning. It is celebrated by hundreds of thousands of language learners and teachers worldwide.

The ECML involves over one thousand language education professionals each year in its face to-face training events in Graz and in the member states, as well as through webinars, think tanks and conferences. 

The ECML engages with civil society through its professional network forum which meets annually in Graz and whose members often contribute to ECML events. This forum, which was established in 2010, currently brings together 16 international associations and institutions that share the core values of the Council of Europe and its commitment to plurilingual and intercultural education. Each member has a particular focus within the broad field of language education which can be sectoral – e.g.  higher education or informal/non-formal learning, or topical – e.g. assessment or pluralistic approaches. This forum provides a unique platform for INGOs to share expertise and know-how. Members work together on themes of major relevance in language education, including through the production of publications such as “From crisis to sustainability: policy guidelines on supporting the development of language education”.