Cornwall Council Leader, Councillor Linda Taylor, has attended a meeting of the British-Irish Council (BIC) focused on supporting the indigenous languages of the British Isles.
Councillor Taylor attended the meeting, which was held in Jersey on 19 and 20 October, at the invitation of the UK Government.
The meeting reviewed the work being undertaken by the eight member administrations to support nine indigenous, minority and lesser-used languages; Irish, Welsh, Gaelic, Scots, Ulster Scots, Manx, Jèrriais, Guernésiais and Cornish.
The UK Government was represented at the BIC meeting by the Levelling-Up Minister, Jacob Young MP, who invited Councillor Taylor as a demonstration of the Government’s commitment to the protection and promotion of Cornish in public life.
Speaking at the BIC meeting, the Leader of Cornwall Council, Councillor Linda Taylor, said “I’m grateful to the UK Government for inviting me to join Minister Young at the British-Irish Council meeting and the opportunity to speak with the Ministers and officials representing the eight members of this unique international forum, to learn more about how they individually and collectively preserve and develop the culture and identity of the national minorities they represent.”
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the British-Irish Council which was established as part of the multi-party agreement reached in Belfast on 10 April 1998. Its membership comprises representatives from the Irish Government; UK Government; Scottish Government; Northern Ireland Executive; Welsh Government; Isle of Man Government; Government of Jersey and Government of Guernsey.
To mark this significant milestone, the BIC have released a video featuring a collection of poems celebrating the nine indigenous, minority and lesser-used languages, including Cornish poet and storyteller Taran Spalding-Jenkin.
