Language policy of EU

The peoples of Europe are building a single Union out of many diverse nations,
communities, cultures and language groups. It is a Union built around the equal
interchange of ideas and traditions and founded upon mutual acceptance of peoples with different histories but a common future. Building a common home in which to live
together in harmony whilst maintaining the individuality and diversity of each means
acquiring the skills to communicate with one another effectively and to understand one
another better.

The act of learning and speaking other languages encourages the learner to open himself up to other people and to begin to understand other cultures and outlooks: essential skills in a world menaced by racism and xenophobia. The European Union is home to almost 500 million Europeans from diverse ethnic, cultural and linguistic backgrounds. It will be more important than ever that citizens have the skills necessary to understand and communicate with their neighbours.

The European Union is developing a society based upon knowledge. The ability to understand and communicate in other languages is now one of the basic skills that citizens need if they are to participate fully in European society.