Sample resolution FORUM: General Assembly 3: Social, Cultural and Humanitarian QUESTION OF: Preserving Minority Languages SUBMITTED BY: The Republic of Turkey CO-SUBMITTERS: Belgium, Latvia, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Russian Federation, Mexico, Poland, Slovakia, Egypt, Malta, Finland THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, THIRD COMMITTEE, Viewing with appreciation the cultural diversity and history of the planet, Keeping in mind the natural development of languages and dialects around the world, Noting with deep concern the actions taken by some states to change the demographic and linguistic identity of parts of their states, Expressing its concern for the efforts and campaigns of certain member states to discourage the use of minority languages in their countries, or even eradicate them from public discourse, 1. Affirms that linguistic minorities around the world have the right to speak their own languages in private and communal spheres, in addition to using them in legal proceedings; 2. Calls upon all member states to not discourage or obstruct the natural course of such languages in any way, shape, or form; 3. Expresses its hope that countries working to counter the use of minority languages will change their national policies in favour of linguistic diversity, through means such as but not limited to: a) Encouraging the voluntary teaching of these languages in schools, b) Allowing regional media outlets to use minority languages in newspapers and on radio and television programs, c) Accepting testimonies given in minority languages and their use in other court proceedings, d) The appropriate signing of public services in the relevant minority language of said geographical area, public services that could be signed included but is not limited to: i. Road signs, ii. Public transport, iii. State-owned property; 4. Recommends that the UN or any of its bodies should attempt to save languages dying a ‘natural death’ due to their small and declining number of speakers, through means such as but not limited to: a) Preserving written examples of the minority language, b) Encouraging young people to learn the minority language, c) Encouraging speakers of a minority language to pass it on to the younger generation; 5. Further recommends the use and the promotion of minority languages in the states where they are spoken, by: a) Promoting the use of these languages in the form of music or theatre, b) Writing official documents in both minority and official languages, so that all groups can benefit equally, c) Organising seminars and speeches concerning these languages, in order for people to be informed about them. 21
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