Fredericton (June 10, 2024) – The Commissioner of Official Languages for New Brunswick, Shirley MacLean, is joining language commissioners from around the world at the 2024 conference of International Association of Language Commissioners (IALC) in Cardiff, Wales this week. The conference also marks the 10-year anniversary of the organization.

The conference will include practical sessions sharing the experience of various international institutions. Speakers at this year’s conference include Raymond Théberge, Canada’s Commissioner of Official Languages, Dr Fernand de Varennes, a Former UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues, and Professor Rob Dunbar, a representative on the Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.

“The discussions at these conferences are always very enlightening and I suspect we will again come away with many positive ideas for the future that we can take forward in our own countries,” says commissioner MacLean.

“I am very much looking forward to being in Wales with my colleagues from around the world for the conference as we celebrate our very special anniversary. Wales has always been seen as one of the founders of the IALC, so it is fitting that we celebrate there.”

A launch event will be held on the evening of June 10th, the conference will be on June 11th and an Annual General Meeting for the members will be held on June 12th.

The conference proceedings will be live streamed on the Welsh Language Commissioners’ website.