Professor Branchadell, vice president of the Committee of Experts of the European Charter of Regional or Minority Languages
The Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, at its 81st plenary meeting in Strasbourg, appointed Albert Branchadell Gallo, professor in the Department of Catalan Studies at the UAB, its first vice-chair.
Albert Branchadell Gallo, professor in the Department of Catalan Studies at the UAB, has been appointed first vice-chair of the Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, with a mandate until 31 December 2025. The appointment by the Charter's Committee of Experts took place during its 81st plenary meeting, held on 18 and 20 March 2025 in Strasbourg. This is the first time that a Spanish citizen has been elected to the Committee's Bureau.
Branchadell holds degrees in Catalan Philology and in Philosophy from the UAB, a PhD in Catalan Philology from the UAB and a PhD in Political Science from the UPF. Since 1993, he has been a professor in the Department of Catalan Studies at the UAB, and was dean of the Faculty of Translation and Interpreting. He has coordinated several UAB degrees in the field of linguistic correction and counseling, and promoted the Master's Degree in Teaching Catalan to Newcomers. He was a member of the Committee of Experts of the Observatory for the Catalan Language and of the Group of Experts in Linguistic and Sociolinguistic Rights of the Directorate General of Linguistic Policy of the Catalan Government.
One of the Council of Europe's objectives is to safeguard Europe's linguistic heritage, which is why in 1992 it adopted the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages to actively promote the use of regional or minority languages in education, justice, administration, the media, culture, economic and social life and cross-border cooperation. This treaty, unique in the world's legal arena, applies to more than 80 regional or minority languages in 25 member states of the Council of Europe. The Charter requires its member states to take active promotional measures for the benefit of regional or minority languages.
The Committee will hold its next plenary session in June 2025 in Strasbourg.