One Web, one language - UNL
The UNL offers a unique opportunity for a genuine global solidarity endeavor. Our common well-defined purpose is working together for a goal that is beneficial to all. To achieve it, depends on the vast intellectual resources available in all languages. This is an invitation for universal win-win collaboration that meets the ideals the UN, UNESCO, EU, and many other international organizations that care about equal opportunities for all peoples. It is a call for a global partnership for a very targeted, attainable, tangible and long-lasting communication facility; a gift for a millennium.
This is going to be something that will really help the world, and will help bringing us further towards an age of prosperity and peace that allows the nations of the world to put aside their differences and bring themselves together to achieve more as a whole than they ever could as singular entities. We have advanced so much in the last few years. Broadband, viable electric vehicles and social media mean that we are more connected and more in harmony with the world we live on than ever before. To take this to the next level means a big commitment, but the end result will validate this effort a thousandfold.
The UNU/IAS will provide the means to accomplish such an ambitious collaborative win-win endeavor. Starting in January year 2000, the UNL resources will be made available to all those who are interested in joining the collective task. The UNL resources will be provided free of charge. This includes the basic documentation and the technical specifications of the UNL system which will be open to researchers, developers, providers and potential users. It will also provide access to the UNL platform, the UNLnet, to all those willing to join the development and improvement of the UNL system, or take advantage of its facilities.
In fact, UNL resources provide great opportunities in all fields: communication, business, governance, education, medicine, entertainment, cultural and academic activities, and many others. Motivations and interests may vary. For instance, many may be attracted by the theoretical foundations of linguistics or by the computational treatment of linguistics that supports UNL, and would like to dedicate their research to advancing the frontiers of knowledge in this field. Other, who are more pragmatic, would prefer to contribute to the development of software applications of the UNL system. Certainly many more people would like just to use it in their business, personal communication or professional work, or provide the UNL resources to customers. All these diverse interests may be accommodated under an umbrella society interested in the UNL resources that, for the sake of identification, can be identified as UNL Society.
The UNL would bring potential benefits to individuals, government and non-government organizations across all linguistic barriers. It is envisaged, that it would be helpful to many millions of people and in different situations. With respect to the UNU’s mandate, the UNL may become a powerful instrument to promote networking around the world (thus alleviating the isolation of scholars in developing countries) as well as supporting the development of the “virtual university” which will enhance access to knowledge. For the UN in general, for UNESCO and other multilateral organizations, it has enormous potential as a tool to foster dialogue among nations and for the promotion of peace, culture, cooperation and development.
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