From the Organization of the African Unity (OAU) to the African Union (AU), the question of revalorising African Languages in order to make of them real instruments of  the African continent’s sustainable development has always been on the agenda. In 1986, Kiswahili, Arabic, French, English, Spanish and Portuguese were recognized as OAU working languages.
 
For economic, political and socio- cultural concrete reasons , the question of language must be, and in fact is being considered by most of the leadership of the continent. The most urgent and decisive reason for this re-consideration is the palpable failure of education in Africa.

Today, more than ever, it is at the heart of the efforts of African Renaissance in the 21st century launched in 1999 by President Thabo Nbeki. In 2001, under the impulsion of President Alpha O. Konaré, presently President of the AU commission, the African Academy of Languages (ACALAN) came to life in order to promote African languages.

The Interpretation and Translation project participates in the effort building up, enriching the national languages in order to make of them working languages. To read more, click here.

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