Please go through our archive of previous ways we've brought awareness to language access
The first 2020 Conference was held virtually, even though most coalition members and the core team were based in Toronto, Canada—the country’s most linguistically diverse city, where over half the population was born outside the city and spoke a first language other than English. Highlights include Keynote from Min Sook Lee, award-winning Canadian documentary filmmaker and activist known for Tiger Spirit, Hogtown, and The Real Inglorious Bastards. Associate Professor at OCAD University, focusing on art and social change in labor, migration and justice movements. Closing Remarks were shared by Lindsay Keegitah Borrows; lawyer, writer and teacher from Chippewas of Nawash First Nation. Works on revitalizing Indigenous laws and languages; author of Otter’s Journey through Indigenous Language and Law.
The Language Rights Film Festival showcased a curated selection of short and feature-length films exploring language rights and cultural diversity in Canada. Highlights included acclaimed works such as Doctors Without Residency, The Dance of Words, El Contrato, and 19 Days, alongside stories of migration, identity, and multilingualism. The festival aimed to amplify filmmakers’ voices, foster dialogue on systemic barriers, and promote equitable access to language and culture through art.
The inaugural 2021 conference was held virtually, primarily involving members based in Toronto, Canada's most linguistically diverse city, where over 50% of residents speak a first language other than English.
Our Language Rights Canada 2022, the second annual conference hosted by MCIS Language Solutions, united Canadian language advocates addressing language justice for official, Indigenous, and newcomer languages. This event connected non-profits, social services, academia, government, and language professionals focused on health, housing, and justice. The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened the need for effective language access, especially in emergency and health communications, vital for advancing Canada’s justice and diversity goals.
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In celebration of Language Advocacy Day, February 22nd, Language Access Coalition of Canada's (LACC) third annual conference explored the important role of language education and storytelling in preserving culture and history, fostering a sense of belonging, and creating deeper human connections.
Policy hackathons unite technologists, linguists, policymakers, and advocates to tackle language-related challenges. They promote linguistic diversity, inclusion, and accessibility through innovative, interdisciplinary solutions. These events facilitate dialogue and knowledge exchange, focusing on policy interventions to remove linguistic barriers and enhance stakeholder engagement for effective implementation.
A key component of our event is the storytelling session. We believe that storytelling is a powerful tool for advocacy. By sharing personal experiences and narratives, we can highlight the real-world impact of language access issues and inspire action. Stories have the unique ability to connect with people on an emotional level, making the challenges and successes of language advocacy more relatable and compelling.
Want to be part of planning our annual Language Advocacy Day? Please use the form below to connect with us.