The BIHAR Congress, to be held next September, is not a standalone event but the result of, and the next step in, a two-year international participatory process. The congress will provide a space to share the work carried out so far, strengthen dialogue among minoritized language communities, and continue building collective responses to future challenges.<\/p>\n
The BIHAR initiative places the world’s minoritized language communities at the centre, giving prominence to their narratives and perspectives. It is a strategic collaborative project promoted by Garabide, Soziolinguistika Klusterra, Taupa Euskaltzaleen Mugimendua and the Plazara collective, with the support of public institutions from its inception.<\/p>\n
The initiative has been structured in three phases. The first phase consisted of an international diagnosis, analysing the discourses of 70 language communities across the world’s five continents to identify the main challenges, perspectives and future directions for the revitalisation of minoritized languages.<\/p>\n
The second phase has focused on socialising the findings in the Basque Country. As part of this stage, 20 working sessions have been held with organisations involved in the revitalisation of Basque and with representatives of other social movements. These sessions have served to contrast the international findings with the local context and foster collective reflection. The process has highlighted that Basque speakers and many other minoritized language communities face similar challenges and that there is a growing need to renew the narratives surrounding language revitalisation.<\/p>\n
The process now enters its third phase: the BIHAR Congress. This international gathering will bring together representatives of minoritized language communities, researchers and social actors to share and discuss the knowledge generated throughout the diagnosis and socialisation phases. Rather than marking the end of the process, the congress will serve as a starting point for new collaborations, shared learning and the continued strengthening of the international network of minoritized language communities.<\/p>\n
Taking part in the BIHAR Congress means joining a collective process built over two years and contributing to the development of shared responses to common challenges. The congress will offer a unique opportunity to exchange experiences, build new partnerships and place the revitalisation of minoritized languages at the heart of international discussion.<\/p>\n