World Kiswahili Language Day
3rd East Africa Community World Kiswahili Language Day Celebrations
In November 2021, UNESCO declared 7th July as a world Kiswahili Day ( Siku Ya Kiswahili Duniani) setting the ground high for development and promotion of the Kiswahili language worldwide. Following the declaration, the 17th adopted 7th July Sectoral Council on Education, Science and Technology, Culture and Sports (SCESTCS) as the day to celebrate Kiswahili. This was to be done on a rotational basis among EAC partner states. The first event took place in the United Republic of Tanzania, in Zanzibar in 2022 while the 2nd event was held in Kampala, Uganda in 2023. The Republic of Kenya successfully hosted the 3rd edition of this regional event in Mombasa.
Objectives of the celebrations
The event is intended to bring together East Africans to discuss ways and means of developing and promoting Kiswahili for regional integration and sustainable development.
The specific objectives are to:
Bring together various Kiswahili stakeholders to share experiences and insights on contemporary issues on Kiswahili
Provide a platform to celebrate and reflect on the role of Kiswahili in EAC regional integration and development
Sensitize stakeholders on the growing role, importance and opportunities of Kiswahili at National, regional and global levels.
Publicise and popularise Kiswahili as an official language and lingua franca of the East African Community and Africa as a whole.
Harness the potential of various stakeholders to support Kiswahili activities.