The Network to Promote Linguistic Diversity was officially launched on the 10 June 2008 in Brussels with a reception held at the Welsh Assembly Government's EU Office. The European Commissioner for Multilingualism, Mr Leonard Orban, was present at the launch and gave a speech on his vision for the network (see link above). He was also joined by Meirion Prys Jones (Chair), Jean-Pierre Thomin (Vice-Chair), Antoni Mir (President of Linguamon, Barcelona), Rhodri Glyn Thomas (Welsh Minister for Heritage) and Jan Slijkhuis (Frysland).