Multilingual communication, a vehicle to bring international organisations closer to the citizens

The heads of language and conference services of over 50 international organisations met in Brussels to discuss data governance, the impact of new technologies, and topical matters driving progress in the work of language, conference and publication services. They endorsed a Statement on multilingualism, which heralds multilingual communication as an important enabler of  multilateralism and the rules-based global order.

The international annual meeting on language arrangements, documentation and publications brings together the heads of services to share knowledge and discuss trends and developments in the language and conferencing professions. This year’s event took place on 27-29 May 2019 in Brussels and was hosted by the language services of the EU institutions: the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union, the European Commission and the Court of Justice of the European Union.

Representatives of over 50 member organisations, including the United Nations, OECD, WTO, NATO and the African Union, discussed a range of topics such as data governance, the impact of artificial intelligence on language and conference services, speech-to-text, inclusive communication and staff development. They exchanged innovative ideas on the management of translation, interpretation, conference and publication services globally.

At the closing session, the Heads of Services adopted a declaration recognising the importance of multilingual communication as a powerful tool to bring the work of international organisations closer to the citizens and build trust. It is a vital factor underpinning multilateralism and international cooperation, enshrined in the international rules-based order supported by the European Union and the United Nations. The statement on multilingual communication was symbolically endorsed as EU citizens just went to the polling stations to vote in the European Parliament elections.

Referring to the Brussels statement on multilingualism, Commissioner Oettinger said:

“Communicating in 24 languages with the EU institutions is a fundamental right for the 500 million citizens of the European Union, a Union that has been enhanced and not divided by its rich linguistic diversity.”

Multilingual communication is a hallmark of the European Union and its cultural diversity. It reflects the pluralistic society and multiple identities that have Europe as a common denominator – a shared history and a common destiny. It is a powerful vehicle that and underpins the Union’s democratic decision-making processes. Multilingual communication is also an enabler for effective development cooperation and multilateralism, at regional and global level.

EU Languages

UN Languages: AR, ZH, RU

EU Host Paper: New Technologies and Artificial Intelligence in the field of language and conference services

 

Background:

The international annual meeting on language arrangements, documentation and publications, ‘IAMLADP’, is an international forum and network of international organisations employing conference and language service providers – mainly translators and interpreters. Representatives of over 50 member organisations, including the United Nations, OECD, WTO, NATO, and the African Union attended the conference.

The United Nations established IAMLADP in the 1970s. The EU institutions - the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union, the European Commission, and the Court of Justice - are among core members. IAMLADP has held annual meetings since 1980, three of them hosted by the EU institutions.

For More Information:

- For more information on the IAMLADP annual meeting, visit:
https://www.iamladp.org

#IAMLADP2019EU

- For more information on the hosting EU institutions:

The European Parliament

http://europarl.europa.eu/

The Council of the European Union

https://www.consilium.europa.eu

The European Commission

https://ec.europa.eu/

The Court of Justice of the European Union

https://curia.europa.eu