Terms of Reference Task Force (Working Group) on the Use of Languages

1.0 BACKGROUND

The creation of a working group on the use of languages within ICOM was decided by the Executive Council during its 99th Session held in Barcelona in July 2001.

1.1 AREA OF AUTHORITY

1. To investigate and make concrete recommendations on the use of languages in ICOM's meetings.
2. b) To evaluate the financial consequences of the use of spanish as a third "official" or "working" language. The financial consequences will take into account the activities and the global working of our Organisation.
3. c) To examine possibilities to recruit on a short or medium term a minimum of trilingual members of personnel with a view to reinforcing the current personnel of the Secretariat in order to assist in the drafting of documents as well as communicating with members of ICOM anxious to get information from the Secretariat through the phone. Estimate the cost of this operation.
4. d) To think about the validity of the use of the other languages "within any types of international meetings organised by ICOM in order to ensure that any regions thoughout the world participate in the work of the Organisation".

1.2 REPORTS TO

Executive Council (EC), through the Advisory Committee (AC).

1.3 COMPOSITION

The working group on the use of languages shall have 9 members, drawn from within the Advisory Committee. It shall also include up to 2 members of the Executive Council. We propose the following persons:

• Pascal Makambila, member of the Executive Council
• Giovanni Pinna, member of the Executive Council
• Alda Costa (ICOM-Mozambique)
• Slim Khosrof (ICOM-Tunisia)
• Ersi Philippopoulou (ICOM-Greece)
• An Laishun (ICOM-China)
• Hidlegard K. Vieregg (Germany, ICOFOM)
• Luis Repetto (Peru, ICOM-LAC)
• Siam Kim Lim (ICOM-Singapore)
• Françoise Dumont (ICOM-Belgium)
• Gurgen Grigirian (ICOM-Russia)

The working group on the use of languages will name its own Chairperson. Members must also be aware that ICOM will not be able to provide specific financial resources or administrative support to facilitate meetings of the working group and therefore much of its work may need to be carried out electronically, or in conjunction with other ICOM meetings.

2.0 SUMMARY OF THE AREAS FOR INVESTIGATION

The working group on the use of languages is asked to review and make recommendations on various issues identified in the report which was requested to Manus Brinkman on the use of languages within ICOM.

The approach to these issues should be exploratory, and seek to come up with helpful analysis and recommendations.

The working group on the use of languages is requested to:

• a) define the terms of "official language" and "working language";
• b) identify the sector of activities within ICOM in which the use of language will be useful rapidly;
• c) determine the costs of each service provided in "official languages" and in other languages;
• d) identify and evaluate consequences for the ICOM Secretariat: ·
  • if spanish "is equally considered with french and english" ·
  • if the principle of the use of languages within ICOM is definitively endorsed.

   

The inevitable administrative and financial nature of these consequences will require the working group to provide the Advisory Committee and the Executive Council with concrete suggestions with regard to the search for funding sources that would facilitate and support the use of languages within ICOM;

• e) examine, with National and International Committees, possibilities to use languages rationally and efficiently without interfering with the functioning of ICOM, particularly International Committees;
• f) advise the Advisory Committee and the Executive Council with a view to knowing better the policy on the use of languages;
• g) advise on any additional issues or topics that the working group identifies as deserving attention and being within its frame of reference.

TIME FRAME

At its first meeting, the working group should establish its own timetable, and notify this to the Chairperson of the Advisory Committee.

November 2001
Giovanni Pinna
Pascal Makambila