On Tuesday, October 22nd, the Chair for Linguistic Rights organised the International Congress “The uses of official languages in public administrations. The Spanish case” at the Universitat de València’s Faculty of Law.

The International Congress was presented by UV’s Secretary-general Mª Elena Olmos, Director-general of Language Policy and Multilingualism Management, the Dean of the Faculty of Law Javier Palao and Director of the Chair for Linguistic Rights Vicenta Tasa.

The first expert panel debated on norms and strategies to ensure citizens’ linguistic rights in their relations with the administration of the Basque Country and the Valencian Community. The event featured two subject experts: Professor at the University of the Basque Country Íñigo Urrutie and Professor at the University of Alicante Josep Ochoa.

The second panel addressed the same situation, but focusing on Navarra and the Balearic Islands and was formed by Professor at the University of the Balearic Islands Bernat Joan and Director of the Service of Planning and Fostering of Basque Language of Euskera and Professor at the University of Navarra Paula Kasares.

Thirdly, Professor at the University of Santiago de Compostela Alba Nogueira and Professor at the University of Barcelona Agustí Pou explained the current situation of Cataluña and Galicia’s administrations.

During the afternoon, came the turn of Professor at the University of Vigo and Spain Representative in the Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages Fernando Romallo. His presentation was based on the compliance of the Spanish state’s obligations, those of the Valencian Community specifically.

Lastly, the congress came to a close with Director of the Chair for Linguistic Rights Rafael Castelló. It was a very enriching conference for the educational community. Both students and teachers were able to know more about the linguistic reality and the linguistic rights within our state’s Administration.

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