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Background
The Karen language programme in Queensland was established to help young people understand the importance of Karen traditions, culture and language. Many Karen families in Brisbane came from refugee camps in Thailand and have resettled in the city since the mid-2000s, and the community has grown steadily since then. Living in a diverse, multicultural society, the community wants to contribute to a harmonious Australia while giving children and young adults the chance to meet on weekends during school terms, to socialise, and to learn and speak the language of their ancestors.
Mission
The Karen language programme is open to all Karen children and young adults who want to speak, read and write their mother tongue as well as English. Its goal is to pass on Karen identity, cultural values and traditional knowledge to the next generation. A particular concern for the community is that children are becoming less able to talk with their parents and elders in Karen. It can seem reasonable to let a widely spoken language replace an ancestral one, but we believe that diversity is part of what makes Australia a nation, and that language diversity matters as much as any other kind.
