Given the significance of the year 2004 for the future of the European Union and, more specifically, the new linguistic policy deriving from the adoption of the new Constitutional Treaty, the II Mercator International Symposium will aim at a critical assessment of the role assigned to minority or regional languages within the new European order. The event will also focus on the way in which “respect for linguistic diversity” (Art. 3.3 and Art. 22 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights) will be reflected in the European Union’s new policies and actions.

The Symposium will also seek to focus on how the voice of minority language communities will be heard within the future European Union, as well as on the possible role of the Committee of the Regions, despite the fact that the draft text submitted by the European Convention 2004 has yet to define the role of the “regions”, particularly those which have their own language and their own legislative powers.

Another essential element to be taken into account when thinking about the future of these languages is the Council of Europe and its European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. There is a need to appraise the effect of this international instrument –the only binding and most explicit document concerning these languages– on Community policies dealing with non-official languages of the EU and with languages which are not explicitly recognised or do not receive adequate institutional support from the state.