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70 The Journal of the Royal Institute of Thailand Volume III - 2011 70 Redefining çThainessé: Embracing Diversity, Preserving Unity IV. International Responses Language Crisis is a global issue. Globalization and nationalism have contributed to the forced assimilation of diverse linguistic and cultural identities into the dominant culture. The reaction from grassroots communities and academics has been witnessed. The UN has responded by calling for the protection and preservation of language and cultural diversity through consecutive campaigns to raise awareness of this global issue. Some of the examples are UNESCOûs declaration designating the 21 st of February as International Mother Language Day. The UN declaration for 2008 as the çInternational Year of Languagesé accompanied by a list of languages related projects, conferences, publications and web forums dealing with such issues as language education, endangered languages, intercultural dialogue, indigenous knowledge, and language needs of handicapped persons. In the UN Secretary Generalûs 2008 speech declaring the International Year of Languages, he called for immediate steps to protect and promote endangered languages and to ensure their preservation for the future generation. çThe loss of these languages would not only weaken the worldûs culture diversity, but also our collective knowledge as a human race,é (Bun Ki-moon › UN Secretary General)é. As for the basic education issue, there is a worldwide UN campaign in support of çEducation for all (EFA)é in 2015 and the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) provide ethnic minorities with the benefits derived from using the mother tongue › based education. In addition, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Article 13I states çIndigenous peoples have the right to revitalize, use, develop and transmit to future generations their histories, languages, oral traditions, philosophies, writing systems and literaturesé and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Article 14 requires that çStates shall, in conjunction with indigenous peoples, take effective measures, in order for indigenous individuals, particularly children, including those living outside their communities, to have access, when possible, to an education in their own culture and provided in their own languageé. UNESCO (United Nation Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), UNICEF (United Nation International Childrenûs Emergency Fund), and SEAMEO (Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization) also play active roles in promoting mother tongue-based education for ethnic minority children around the world to help them to succeed at school and be included with the larger society whilst still maintain their heritage language and culture. 54-75_mac9 5/3/12, 10:43 PM 70