From 11–13 April 2024, Mercator European Research Centre/Fryske Akademy researcher Charlie Robinson-Jones presented the second edition of the Regional Dossier The Friulian language in education in Italy at three events in the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia. These events aimed to open the debate on the future of the Friulian language in schools and encourage the exchange of knowledge and experiences from Fryslân and Friuli:

- 11 April, University of Udine: this was an academic conference, attended by professors, pre-service teachers, and other interested stakeholders.
- 12 April, Palazzo Belgrado, Udine: this event was attended by representatives of various institutions and citizens of Friuli.
- 13 April, “Don Gilberto Pressacco” Civic Library in Codroipo: the Regional Dossier was presented at the XI Day of the Friulian School, an annual event dedicated to teachers and other stakeholders in education.

The three days of events involved the Friulian Philological Society (Societât Filologjiche Furlane – SFF) and its Docuscuele, the Regional Agency for the Friulian Language (Agjenzie Regjonâl pe Lenghe Furlane – ARLeF), the Assembly of the Friulian Linguistic Community (Assemblee de Comunitât Linguistiche Furlane – ACLIF), the University of Udine, the Regional Council of Friuli Venezia Giulia, and other leading institutions working on the promotion and transmission of the Friulian language.

Federico Vicario, president of the SFF, commented:

"We do not hide that there are many concerns about the teaching of Friulian in schools, with several comprehensive institutions struggling to offer this to their pupils. Through this second edition of the Mercator Regional Dossier on the Friulian language, we want to reopen the discussion on this central issue for the dissemination of Friulian."

The second edition of this Regional Dossier was written by Ada Bier (University of the Basque Country – UPV/EHU), Gabriele Zanello (Università degli Studi di Udine), and Antonella Ottogalli (SFF). In collaboration with the SFF, the Mercator European Research Centre has also published full Friulian and Italian translations of this Regional Dossier, which can be found on the Regional Dossier webpage, along with the summary in three languages (English, Friulian, and Italian).

The editorial team posts highlights from the Regional Dossiers on social media every month, which can be found by searching #RegionalDossierHighlights or #MercatorRegionalDossiers.

Photo Left to Right: Charlie Robinson-Jones, Ada Bier, Antonella Ottogalli, Gabriele Zanello.
Photographer: Feliciano Medeot.