In March 2007 Mercator Research Centre published the report “The Development of Minimum Standards on Language Education in Regional and Minority Languages”.

The study’s starting point is the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, a Treaty of the Council of Europe, which aims to protect Regional and Minority Languages (RML) and cultures and includes a specific article on education.

The report gives an overview of the situation of RML education in several countries that have ratified the charter and makes a comparison between the different situations. The minimum conditions and minimum provisions required to establish minimum standards for language education are described. Furthermore, a list of recommendations is provided that can assist the Council of Europe to develop further policies aimed at setting minimum standards for RML education.

Download the report: “The Development of Minimum Standards on Language Education in Regional and Minority Languages”