A Prestigious Moment for ICS Paris: UNESCO's International Mother Language Day 2026

The ceremony opened with an address by H.E. Khondker M. Talha, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Bangladesh to UNESCO, who also serves as President of the General Conference. This was followed by an opening speech from Prof. Khaled El-Enany, Director-General of UNESCO, setting the tone for a day dedicated to celebrating the world's rich tapestry of languages.

The keynote address, "The Future of Mother Languages in the AI Era", was delivered by Damián Blasi, ICREA Professor in Brain and Cognitive Sciences from Barcelona, Spain. His address proved particularly resonant for ICS Paris, whose own AI initiative — unveiled at the event — demonstrated exactly how educational institutions can harness the power of artificial intelligence in service of mother tongue promotion.

 

Head of School Angela Hollington Takes the Panel Stage

Angela Hollington, Head of School at ICS Paris, participated in the Panel Discussion: "Language for Peace, Education and Sustainable Development", moderated by Ms Stefania Giannini, Assistant Director-General for Education at UNESCO. She was joined by a remarkable cohort of panellists:

• H.E. Dulce de Jesus Soares, Minister of Education, Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste
• H.E. Paul Christian Makonda, Minister of Information, Culture, Art and Sports, United Republic of Tanzania
• Clarisse Taulewali da Silva, Visual Artist and President of the Indigenous Youth Organization of French Guiana, France
• Nicaela León Coico, Southern Quechua Linguist and Illustrator, Plurinational State of Bolivia
• Angela Hollington, Head of School, ICS Paris International School, Paris, France

During the discussion, Angela Hollington, our Head of School, spoke passionately about ICS Paris's bespoke Bilingual and Multilingual Learners (BML) Programme — the cornerstone of our language support philosophy. As a BML Smart School, ICS Paris believes that students' home languages are not barriers to academic success but powerful bridges to it. Our programme actively uses students' mother tongues to strengthen and develop their academic English, placing linguistic identity at the heart of learning.

Our DP1 Students Steal the Show: The ICS Paris AI Chatbot

Inspired by the keynote's call to reflect on AI's role in the future of mother languages, ICS Paris brought that conversation to life. Under the expert guidance of Mr. Apollo, our AI Coordinator, our talented DP1 students showcased the school's very own Human-Intelligent (HI) AI Chatbot to the assembled dignitaries.

The demonstration was a highlight of the day: delegates, ministers, and UNESCO officials interacted with the chatbot in their own mother tongues — and the chatbot responded fluently in kind. The moment captured perfectly the potential of AI as a tool for inclusion, celebrating linguistic diversity rather than erasing it. It sent a powerful message: that educational institutions need not wait for the future of AI — they can shape it today, using technology to promote mother tongue languages, support multilingual learners, and enrich research and classroom learning.

ICS Paris Students on the Cultural Stage

The programme drew to a close with vibrant cultural performances, and ICS Paris was proud to contribute two outstanding performances, reflecting the rich, multicultural community that makes our school so special. Our students demonstrated once again that at ICS Paris, every language, culture, and voice is celebrated.

A UNESCO School

As a UNESCO Associated School, participating in International Mother Language Day at UNESCO Headquarters is among the most meaningful experiences we can offer our community. This event affirmed everything we stand for: a commitment to language, identity, inclusion, and innovation in education.

We extend our deepest gratitude to Mr. Boucher, our UNESCO Coordinator, whose dedication and tireless support made this prestigious day possible. Thank you, Mr. Boucher — this success belongs to you as much as anyone.

"Every language is a unique window on the world. At ICS Paris, we open as many windows as possible — because every child deserves to learn, grow, and dream in their mother tongue."