Successful Hybrid Round Table Discussion on “Multilingual and Intercultural Communication for a Democratic Society and the Importance of an Early Start
The hybrid round table discussion titled “Multilingual and Intercultural Communication for a Democratic Society and the Importance of an Early Start” was successfully held on Sunday, May 10, in Alexandroupolis.
The event took place within the framework of the Scientific Conference “The Implementation of EAN in Practice and Transformations in Early Childhood Education” (May 8-10), which was organized by the Department of Education Sciences in Early Childhood of the Democritus University of Thrace and the Department of English Language and Literature of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
This event is an action of the EMERGE European University Alliance and hosted representatives from three member institutions of the alliance: the Democritus University of Thrace, Neapolis University Pafos, and Matej Bel University (Slovakia).
The discussion featured distinguished speakers from five university institutions, as well as a representative from the Directorate-General for Translation of the European Commission Representation in Athens. This multidimensional approach provided a comprehensive international perspective, incorporating the core values of the EMERGE Alliance: Inclusion, Sustainability, and Resilience.
The central focus of the discussion was the significance of introducing foreign language learning as early as preschool education through the EAN program (Introduction of English in Kindergarten), implemented by the Institute of Educational Policy. Participants highlighted the parameters that ensure the effective application of multilingual and intercultural educational practices in modern democratic societies.
