2009-01-29 11:00:00
The Basque language, Euskara, is the reason that has created PuntuEus Association; Euskara and the new challenges it faces. Despite having less speakers than many others, Euskara must also respond to those challenges, and that is why we are here today. We are trying to answer one of these questions: the visibility of the Basque language and culture on the Internet. In this way, we want to give a name to the presence of Euskera and Basque culture on the Internet, a name to its existence.

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have become cross-cutting tools, since they are present in all areas of our lives. Thus, ICTs form the backbone of the new challenges of Euskara, which bring both threats and new opportunities. Still, in the case of Euskara and, in general, of all minority languages, it is absolutely necessary to transform these threats into opportunities. In this context, bringing technology to Euskera and its diffusion through new technologies has become an essential objective. Our task is to harness the tools that can make us more invisible, just, to get more visibility.

In that sense, the Internet opens a new door to all minority languages, including Euskara. Thanks to the active participation and commitment of thousands of Basque Internet users, the presence of Euskara in the Internet is, nowadays, as real as dynamic. We can live and we must live in Euskara on the Internet, if we want Euskara to continue living.

Therefore, the Basque language already has its own space on the Internet. But our goal is to give a name to that space that already exists. We want to create a symbol for this area of the Internet in Euskara, a symbol for the Community of the Basque Language and Culture. A name. A name to identify the Basque language and culture in the network of networks. A name that will strengthen the presence of Euskara and its community. A name to strengthen the natural multicultural character of the Internet. This is, we want to create a symbol that will allow the international recognition of the Community of the Basque Language and Culture, which is spread all around the world: the .EUS domain. That is the starting point and the ultimate aim of the PuntuEus Association.

This challenge, however, requires a long way. Still, it may be long but other have done it previously. Barely three years ago, the first domain that allows the visibility of languages and cultures appeared: .CAT, the domain of the Community of the Catalan Language and Culture. The journey, therefore, is already planed. And for that reason, we have taken the first steps. The journey to get the symbol of the Basque language and culture in the Internet must be done by the Community of the Basque Language and Culture. The community is the protagonist and, therefore, we have to walk together.

. EUS is the domain of the Community of the Basque Language and Culture. Diversity is the main feature of that community and the Basque language and culture, its axis. There is still a long way to go. The journey is long, and this is only the beginning.

And that is the goal that has brought us together today: the presentation of the PuntuEus Association. We have taken the first step in this long journey: the constitution of the PuntuEus Association, which represents the Community of the Basque Language and Culture on the Internet. The PuntuEus Association will submit the application to obtain the .EUS domain and, therefore, it should represent meaningfully the Community of the Basque Language and Culture. The PuntuEus Association we are presenting today, is the starting point. A beginning. The first encounter. But the PuntuEus Association should be extended, from today until the submission of the application to obtain the .EUS domain.

The PuntuEus Association was constituted in April 2008, thanks to the initiative of eleven associations of different kinds. In the field of Euskara: Euskaltzaindia [ the official Academy of Euskara ], Euskararen Gizarte Erakundeen Kontseilua [ the council of Social Organizations in favour of Euskara ], Euskal Konfederazioa [ a cultural organization from the north of the Basque Country ] and Euskal Idazleen Elkartea - Hegats [ the Association of Basque Writers ]. In education: Euskal Herriko Ikastolen Konfederazioa [ the confederation of Basque private schools ], Ikastolen Elkartea - Partaide IEP [ the associaton of Basque concerted private schools ] and Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea [the University of the Basque Country ]. Finally, in the field of communication and the Internet: Euskal Telebista Herri Irrati Erakundea [ the leading media group in the Basque Country], Internetikak [ an association for the promotion of Euskara on the Internet ], Euskal Herriko Telekomunikazio Ingeniarien Elkartea [ the official Institute of Telecommunication Engineers of the Basque Country ] and Euskadiko Informatikako Ingeniarien Elkargo Ofiziala [ the official Institute of Computer Engineers of the Basque Country ].

As we said, this presentation is a beginning. Almost one year ago, we constituted the PuntuEus Association with the unique purpose to obtain the .EUS domain. We are currently focusing on expanding the association. There is space for everyone and everybody is wanted. The journey is long, but we must walk together. Therefore, we take this opportunity to invite you to participate in this great project.

Yet the presentation of the PuntuEus Association does not end here. Today, at 20:00, the presentation will conclude with a cultural event in the Kafe Antzokia of Durango.

Finally, starting today, the website of the PuntuEus Association will be available, www.puntueus.org as well as an email address to contact us: info@puntueus.org.

Thank you.