Why language matters for the Millennium Development Goals

This publication draws and expands upon ideas and presentations from the “International Conference on Language, Education and the Millennium Development Goals”. More than 400 delegates from some 30 countries attended the conference, which was held in Bangkok, Thailand, in November 2010. The conference showcased, in particular, impressive evidence for how early education in the mother tongue improves the lives of children and their communities. Participants also reported that recognizing the role of languages is highly significant for work on all of the MDGs, including tackling poverty, gender inequality, HIV and AIDS and maternal and child health.