MINORITY LANGUAGES DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME INTERNATIONAL STRATEGY CONFERENCE AND WORKSHOP

MINORITY LANGUAGES DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

INTERNATIONAL STRATEGY CONFERENCE AND WORKSHOP

Eliel Centre, Ray field JOS, Plateau State

March 28^th to April 1^st, 2016

1: INTRODUCTION

There are an estimated 2000 Ethnic groups in Africa, speaking over 2000 languages. Nigeria alone makes up for more than 500 of these ethnic groups and languages. Of these over 500 languages, only 3 are officially regarded as major languages in Nigeria where official local language policies favour the development and preservation of Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba. Some of the minority languages in Nigeria are made up of more than 5 million native speakers, while some like Baram language have less than 500 native speakers.

According to UNESCO- “Languages are reserves of cultures, custom and native science, medicine and art which should not be allowed to die”.

The Conference of Autochthonous Ethnic Nationalities Community Development Associations (CONAECDA) seeks to preserve and develop these native languages and therefore passed a resolution at the 2014 conference to embark on a language development programme that will work with all relevant institutions, governments and communities towards the development and preservation of 500 minority languages in Nigeria.

As part of the programme, CONAECDA in collaboration with Southern Ethnic minority communities is embarking on a language development and preservation strategy workshop to bring stakeholders together towards developing a national minority language development and preservation strategy that will guide Government, communities, international and national institutions and linguist working towards the preservation of our rich national culture.

2: OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

1.      To identify and effectively classify all minority languages in Nigeria

2.      To develop writing so that each language can be written and read.

3.      To produce reading materials and instructional materials for the teaching of minority languages

4.      To encourage the use of minority languages both within the family, communities and in official maters were possible.  

5.      To preserve in oral and written forms various forms of literature, in minority languages.

6.      To encourage and facilitate language community efforts at preservation and development of Nigerian languages.

7.      To ensure the survival and development of minority languages.

3: ORGANIZERS OF THE WORKSHOP

The workshop is organized by CONAECDA with the process to be facilitated by Triplex Education Consultancy Services Nigeria Limited and the key Consultants in the persons of Prof. Andrew Haruna of the department of linguistic University of Jos and Dr John Hollman of the Linguistics and Translation Department of   The Theological College of Northern Nigeria and also of SIL International.

4: PARTICIPANTS

           Participants are expected to come from the following

1.      Official Representations of minority Ethnic groups

2.      Individual linguists from all over the country

3.      Representatives of universities and colleges of Education including the NUC, NTI, etc

4.      Representation of federal and state ministries of Education, culture etc.

5.      Representatives of international organizations such as UNESCO, UNDP, AU, ECOWAS, DFID, USAID, GIZ, JICA etc.

6.      Representatives of international universities/Institutions offering African languages.

7.      Representative of Nongovernmental organizations involved in language development.

5:  PROGRAMME OF EVENTS

A.      Opening ceremony and main conference

B.      Strategy Workshop.

6: How to participate:

A.     CONFERENCE AND OPENING CEREMONY: One day conference

Attendance is strictly by invitation no registration is required:

Date: Monday 28^th March 2016

Venue: Eliel centre, Ray field Jos

Accommodation feeding and transportation

With the exception of invited Special guests, all other participants are responsible for their movement. Feeding and accommodation can be arranged with the conference logistics consultants.  

A.     WORKSHOP: 4 DAYS WORKSHOP

Attendance is strictly by invitation, registration is required: You may refer others for invitation.

Date:  Tuesday 29^th March to Friday 1^st April, 2016

Venue:

1.      Education strategy: University of Jos

2.      Community Strategy: CRUDAN Conference Hall

3.      COORDINATION: CONAECDA Secretariat, No. 17 miango Road Jos Plateau State.

Registration for participants and individuals including launch: N7, 500

Late Registration for other participant including launch: N10, 000

EARLY REGISTRATION (BEFORE 25^TH MARCH 2016)

No.	Category	Registration	Accommodation	Feeding	Total Early Bird	Total
1	A	7,500	2,500	3,500	13,500	16,000
2	B	7,500	5,000	3,500	16,000	18,500
3	C	7,500	15,000	7,500	30,000	32,500
4	D	7,500	25,000	7,500	40,000	42,500
5	E	7,500	50,000	7,500	65,000	67,500
6	F	7,500	75,000	10,000	93,000	95,500
7	G	7,500	100,000	15,000	122,500	125,000
8	H	7,500	-	-	7,500	10,000

CONTACT US: Send mail to conaecda@gmail.com or text name to Bamaiyi: 08039243915, 08051208091, Whycliffe: 08037001437, Sukukum: 08036025872

BANKERS: Diamond Bank PLc.

ACCOUNT NAME: CONFERENCE OF AUTOCHTHONOUS ETHNIC COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATIONS (CONAECDA)

Account Number: 0073025228

(All payments should be made into the organisation’s account)