Brussels Multilingualism Week - Panel on 13th February, 2026. Public Forum
What Is the Role of Universities in Shaping Multilingual Policy and Practice?
Multilingualism is a core pillar of European life and a prerequisite for its political, economic, and cultural sustainability. Yet, while linguistic diversity is routinely celebrated as an essential identity attribute, it remains absent from the everyday practices of key institutions, including schools, universities, and public services. At the same time, language is also devalued as a subject of study. Across European higher education, language and humanities degrees are being closed or downsized, student recruitment continues to decline, and the languages that remain on offer often do not align with the linguistic landscapes of contemporary European societies. The result is a disconnect: universities operating in multilingual societies while reproducing monolingual norms, hierarchies, and imaginaries.
Category description:
This category within the EUTOPIA Multilingualism forum was created as an extension of the panel held on 13th February, 2026. This is a digital space where all are welcome to post questions during the event, start conversations and keep the discussion going even outside the physical bounds of the panel.
Please post questions relevant to the panel in the dedicated topic threads:
Link to Panel A
Link to Panel B
Following the event, new topics can be created to start new discussions.
We’re looking forward to reading all your thoughts.