Welcome Message from the FIT’s President
What is the FIT?
The FIT (International Federation of Translators) is an international grouping of associations of translators, interpreters, and terminologists. More than 100 professional associations are affiliated, representing more than 80 000 translators in 55 countries. The Federation’s main goal is to promote professionalism in the disciplines that it represents. It constantly seeks to improve conditions for the profession in all countries and to uphold the translators’ rights and freedom of expression.
Objectives
As reflected in its constitution, FIT’s objectives are:
- To link and bring together the existing associations of translators, interpreters and terminologists
- To encourage and facilitate the formation of such associations in countries where they do not already exist
- To provide member associations with information about work conditions, technological tools, initial and ongoing training, and all the issues useful to this profession
- To develop and maintain, among the member associations, good relations that serve the interests of translators
- To uphold the moral and material rights of translators throughout the world
- To promote the recognition of the profession of translator, interpreter, and terminologist, enhance the status of translators in society, and foster translation as a science and an art.
Governing Bodies
The FIT’s supreme body is the statutory congress, which is held every three years. It brings together delegations from the member associations and elects the Council which, in turn, elects its Executive Committee and directs the FIT until the next world congress. The decision-making bodies are supported by different committees, which report annually to the Council and its congress about their activities. The statutory congress is followed by an open congress, which is an outstanding platform for exchanges among all translation professionals.
Regional Centers
Currently, three regional centers are active: FIT Europe, FIT Latin America, and FIT North America. A fourth center is being considered in Asia. These centers promote FIT’s activities in their regions, organizing meetings to strengthen exchanges among the member associations on any issues related to the profession, and linking to the FIT’s Council.
