Fed: Summit calls for radical ramping up of Asian languages

AAP General News (Australia)
04-20-2008
Fed: Summit calls for radical ramping up of Asian languages

All school students will have to learn Asian languages if delegates of the 2020 summit
have their way.

Delegates to the national security and future prosperity stream have called for a radical
ramping up of language skills.

Foreign Minister STEPHEN SMITH says Australia's understanding of Asian literacy and
culture needs to be second nature.

He says this is not just important from an international relations point of view but
also from young school children's point of view.

Co-chair MICHAEL WESLEY says the second most passionate issue was for closer economic
and political integration with the Pacific.

AAP RTV pv/mfh/sw

KEYWORD: SUMMIT SECURITY (CANBERRA)

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