The programme addressed the subject of social cohesion, one of the major challenges facing our societies at the beginning of the 21st century. The programme looked at how an integrated approach to language learning and teaching based on a new educational role for language teachers could help to develop the communicative potential of individuals living in these societies. The move towards an overall concept of language education, integrating the teaching and learning of all languages in order to make use of potential synergies, represents a major shift of paradigm - promoting true plurilingualism through a positive attitude to the diversity of languages, competences and speakers.