WORLD DAY OF KISWAHILI LANGUAGE

On Thursday, July 07, 2022, the Ambassador of Burundi in Paris, HE Mr. Ernest NIYOKINDI took time to speak just on the occasion of the World Day of the Kiswahili language “celebrated under the theme: “Kiswahili for Peace and Development”, on behalf of Ambassadors-Permanent Delegates of East African States to UNESCO.After thanking the Almighty who made this day find them healthy, he thanked everyone who contributed at any stage of the process up to the proclamation of World Kiswahili Language Day during the 41st session of the General Conference of UNESCO on November 2021.

In his speech, the Ambassador of Burundi in Paris, pointed out that the language is an important tool of communication in different fields. It serves as an essential instrument for understanding, intercultural dialogue and contributes to sustainable development. Kiswahili is indeed a language that is spoken today in sub-Saharan Africa, at the level of the African Union, in the East African Community and in the Southern African Development Community. (SADC). It is an instrument of communication, dialogue between civilizations and serves as a connection between people in the East African region. It allows countries to strengthen social and intercultural relations as well as good neighborliness, he added.

The Ambassador of Burundi in Paris, HE Mr. Ernest NIYOKINDI continued his speech by saying that this first celebration of the world day of the Kiswahili language under the theme “Kiswahili for Peace and Development” clearly shows the role played by the language in strengthening peace, a dialogue and tolerance for sustainable development.

This reinforces the hope that the annual celebration of this day will contribute to the promotion of the use of Kiswahili as a basis for peace and the strengthening of multiculturalism, education, science and communication.

Ambassador Ernest NIYOKINDI ended his speech thanking the organizers who did their best for the success of this great event.