Celebrate Multilingualism

Open House and Registration Events

The Language and Communications Training Unit holds Open Houses and Registration tables at the United Nations Learning Centre. Future events will be announced.

For in-person information, support and enquiries, the office hours at the United Nations Learning Centre are Mondays and Tuesdays, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m..

Mother Language Day Open House | 21 February 2023

This informal gathering included interactive activities to engage and embrace languages:

  • Spin the Wheel! Learning facts about International Mother Language Day.
  • Multilingual Mosaic. Writing a word, drawing interpretations of "Spring" in your own language.
  • Multilingual Chat Corner. Sharing "untranslatable words" and their meaning.
  • Guess the Language! Listening to songs and guessing the language.
  • Information Booth. Learning more about the UN levels and UN Language Framework.
A man and woman are positioned at a table, focused on a laptop, indicating a collaborative work or discussion environment.

Language Learning Open House

The first-ever Language Learning Open House Event hosted by the Language and Communications Training Unit was held in 2022, marking the return to premises after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Participants and prospective course participants enjoyed connecting with other members from the UN language learning community, engaging in multilingualism activities, and learning more about course registration and opportunities. The event included the following:

  • Multilingual Mosaic and seeing language learning take shape
  • Spin the Wheel! Learning words and expressions in the Six Official Languages of the UN
  • Exchanging of language learning experiences over refreshments
  • Language Proficiency Examination information stand
  • Self-study courses and hybrid language courses information stand
  • Book giveaway! Taking a language learning textbook, fiction book, easy reader, or dictionary

Registration Events

The Language and Communications Training Unit hosts in-person information and registrations events at the United Nations Learning Centre, at the Vienna Café Lobby and in the Secretariat Lobby.
Future event dates and venues will be included in upcoming broadcasts and information announcing the opening of the registration period.

Language Days

French Language Day - 20 March

(Events to be held on 19, 26, 31 March)

(2026)

FR Lang Day 2026 -- n
  • Engaging Voices: French literature and cinema (“Voix engagées : littérature et cinéma francophones”):discussions with the French Programme team and guest author Evelyne Fallows. Discussions will take place in both French and English

(19 March 2026, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.)

  • Can books change our destinies? (“Le livre peut-il changer les destins?”): 12 Francophone authors from three continents reflect on this questions on a French panel, organized in partnership with the OIF ( March 26, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.)
  • A screening of Francophone short films ( March 31, from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m.)

 

Chinese Language Day - 20 April

(2026)

CH Flyer 2

  • Fluent Futures Forum: Chinese Learning and Youth Engagement for a Multilingual UN 2.0 World: join this virtual forum to explore the role of youth in advancing Multilingualism utilizing UN 2.0 Quintet of Skills through the lens of Chinese language learning within and beyond the United Nations. ( 8:30am to 11:30am, New York time, 20 April 2026). View the full programme details.

    • . Non‑UN participants can register here.

    • . UN‑internal participants can join the event directly via this link.

  • (2025) Online Video Exhibition: Digital Innovation in Learning and Teaching Chinese
  • Uncovering the Fascinating: A Journey into Chinese Language and Culture.
  • Discovery of the Chinese language and culture, a UN News report.

 

 

Spanish Language Day - 23 April

  • Speak Spanish like a pro (2025)
  • Talk about what you like in your free time.
  • Express likes and dislikes, make suggestions about free time activities.
  • Interactive quiz.
A word cloud as a shape of a tree with words in various sizes, orientations and languages, symbolizing its significance and diversity.

English Language Day - 23 April

(Events to be held on Monday, 20 April and Thursday, 23 April)

(2026)

Want to learn the language of innovation? Upskill in the latest communications strategies from new developments in the AI era & boost career success on 20 and 23 April 2026 for two interactive sessions:
  • Flyer -- AIComms

    . AI Communications Showcase & Skills Lab: Whether you are AI-curious or AI-confident, this session with the NYU Workplace Learning Innovation Lab will lead you through a series of “live” AI demos and practical ways to use AI-powered tools for upskilling in any job function. A select number of participants will receive the exclusive “UN AI-Powered Playbook of Strategies.” Come for the knowledge, stay for the networking. 12:00 - 1:30pm EST, 20 April 2026(IN PERSON @ UNHQ NEW YORK )

 

EN Flyer 3
  • . Expert “ Lightning Panel”: FRONTER MINDS: Upskilling Communications in the AI Era: Join an international "lightning panel" featuring experts from leading academic institutions, including: NYU Workplace Learning Innovation Lab, NYU Stern School of Business, London Business School, Trinity College Dublin to learn how to boost your career, use research-based strategies for global communication and become fit for “AI fluency,” with many key insights from the fields of communications, executive coaching and technology. This event also coincides with the launch of the newUN 2.0 Global Communications Certificate, a powerful credential aligned with the skills managers are prioritizing right now. 9:00am - 10:30am EST, 23 April 2026 ( GLOBAL ONLINE )

View the full programme details.

. NEW CERTIFICATE.

These events coincide with the launch of the new UN 2.0 Global Communications Certificate – five professional skills workshops (UN IV Expert Level) designed to enhance higher-order communications skills for the UN workplace, offered by the English Language and Communications programme within the LCTU.


 

 

 

 

Russian Language Day - 9 June

  • Introduction to Russian.
  • Basics of reading in Russian and interesting facts about Russian culture.

Arabic Language Day - 18 December

  • Introduction to Arabic.