The Role of Multilingualism in Effectively Addressing Global Issues: The Sustainable Development Goals and Beyond

Abstract

In a globalized, interconnected world, multilingualism is essential for effective communication, understanding of other cultures, and the development of global citizenship values. In addition to being part of a global personal cultural identity and a practical tool for communication in transnational teams, multilingualism has been linked to creativity and to problem-solving, both of critical importance in addressing complex issues, and regular use of more than one language has even been shown to stave off dementia. International organizations, multinational corporations, and educational institutions approach multilingualism differently, each with the language strategy that aligns most closely with their mission and goals. How can international educators best prepare students for an increasingly multilingual world and workplace where multilingualism is the norm rather than the exception?