On 27 June 2019, FIT Europe Chairperson, Annette Schiller, took part in the Translating Europe Round Table hosted by the European Commission’s Directorate General for Translation (DGT).
The current Board of FIT Europe have resolved to build stronger ties with players outside the narrow confines of the translation industry itself, and this Round Table was part of that. It was an informal gathering bringing together different sides of the translation industry – representatives of freelancers, service language providers, language technology providers, universities and the public sector – to discuss topics faced by the profession and how we can work together.
Representatives from COTSOES – Conference of Translation Services of European States, ELIA – European Language Industry Association, EUATC – European Union of Associations of Translation Companies, EMT Board – European Master’s in Translation (university network), FIT-Europe, GALA – Globalization and Localization Association, IAPTI – International Association of Professional Translators and Interpreters and LT-Innovate attended the round table which was chaired by DGT.
The atmosphere of the first meeting was very positive and cooperative. All organisations confirmed their willingness to contribute actively and, in spite of their different interests and agendas, could agree on the need to join forces at this very challenging moment for the translation profession. They agreed to further explore avenues for meaningful cooperation that would benefit the profession and define as a first step a common value proposition.
These round tables are a pilot initiative and DGT plans to evaluate their usefulness after the first two meetings. The evaluation will be used to decide on whether and how to continue the initiative. DGT provides the platform for exchange and cooperation, while the participating organisations define the content and possible joint actions. Another round table is planned in the side-lines of the upcoming Translating Europe Forum (7-8 November 2019) which this year focuses on Translation all around us – The added value of translation in business and society. FIT Europe will be there once again, represented by Chairperson, Annette Schiller, who will be involved in the proceedings of TEF itself and attending the Round Table.
