If you have not experienced being an advocate for languages (or anything else) before, this is a great time to start. For the first time, Language Advocacy Days (usually held in Washington, DC) will be held virtually February 3-5, 2021. So, travel expenses are not an issue.
For more information, visit: https://www.languagepolicy.org/language-advocacy-day.
Here are some FAQs shared on their website:
WHAT IS LANGUAGE ADVOCACY DAY?
Organized by the Joint National Committee for Languages (JNCL), Language Advocacy Day (or LAD for short) is part “lobby-day” and part full-day policy forum that brings together national representatives of the Language Enterprise concerned about the state of language learning in this country.
JNCL sets you up for success: we schedule meetings on Capitol Hill with your representatives, prepare briefing materials for you and Congressional staffers to discuss, and provide the coaching and insight to help you navigate the halls of power. LAD also connects you with language leaders in the fields of education and business for roundtable policy discussions on issues affecting the field today.
WHO CAN ATTEND?
JNCL encourages all concerned citizens interested in promoting a multilingual workforce and society to participate in the democratic process. Each year since 2012, language teachers, administrators, business owners and freelancers join to advocate toward our shared mission. Our goal is FULL REPRESENTATION from all states 50 states to paint a complete picture of the importance of language education in the 21st century.
WHY SHOULD I ATTEND?
Our representatives need to know, as one attendee put it, “multilingualism isn’t the future; it’s right now.” As a member of the Language Enterprise, you already know how critical languages are for job growth in 21st century economy, national security, and social justice. We need you because if we don’t tell our story, who will? Advocates keep coming back each year to make a difference and deepen the relationships with policymakers.
Here is a brief video from 2020:
Although the scenery will be different in 2021, it will still be a great experience.
If you’d like to connect with other Advocates for Languages and International Education, be sure to subscribe to our Internationaledwa.org Newsletter (or update your preferences to include Advocacy).
