It’s hard to believe that this will be my last president’s message for Translatio; how fast three years have flown by!
When I said in my first president’s message that the new Council would have ‘a lot to manage’, I had no idea just how true that would be. The journey forward was more complex than I imagined, but so were Council’s strength and resilience. We set ourselves ambitious goals – arguably too ambitious – but our strategic priorities remained clear: visibility, strength in community, longevity, and shaping a united, sustainable profession for the future. In this future, the value of associations has never been greater.
This Translatio issue really brings all those strategic themes together. Articles by AIT, the Association of Sworn Translators of Rio de Janeiro (ATP-Rio) and AITI speak to the value of associations and enduring social networks, and their essential role in tackling the challenges ahead. There’s also a great write-up on the International Translation Forum hosted by FIT’s member in Slovenia, SCIT, an impressive event bringing together over 250 attendees that captured the true spirit of FIT: international collaboration, visibility, and future-focused thinking.
Speaking of looking ahead, the FIT World Congress is just around the corner, and our theme ‘Mastering the machine: shaping an intelligent future’ couldn’t be timelier. Expect eye-opening presentations and conversations around AI impacts, the changing professional landscape, and ways we can master technology to shape the uncertain future.
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In closing, I would like to reflect on the most unexpected part of this journey. Our mandate began in 2022 as global tensions had reignited, and sadly, rather than disappearing quickly as we hoped, they’ve only inflamed. In an increasingly polarised world, FIT remains an apolitical federation with members in every region of the globe. We stand with them, and we stand together. Our professional solidarity transcends our individual nationality. This unity is essential to achieving true global representation for the profession and ensures that our members can serve wherever they are needed. Impartial. Professional. Recognised. We are not nations, governments, or politicians, we are the vital communication link between them to enable resolution through dialogue and diplomacy.
In these turbulent times, FIT renews its call for the protection of all translators, interpreters, and terminologists living and working in areas affected by conflict. We remain deeply concerned for the safety and well-being of our colleagues in these regions.
In the same spirit of solidarity, we also call for the protection and respect of journalists, humanitarian aid workers, and medical personnel – fellow professionals who play a vital role in communication, support, and the pursuit of peace.
Our 2025 ITD theme, ‘Translation: shaping a future you can trust,’ echoes the call for peace and aligns with the ideals of the UN International Year of Peace and Trust. On 30 September, we encourage you to join together and celebrate our profession. Details for our annual ITD webinar will be released in early September.
In my first message, I also celebrated the newly elected team and my enthusiasm for serving alongside them. In this final message, I want to sincerely thank everyone in our Standing Committees and Task Forces (SCTFs) and Regional Centres, where much of our best work happens, our dedicated FIT Council members, and every member association that’s been part of this incredible journey. It’s been a privilege to serve alongside you.
So, I wish you happy reading and, while I still can, a very happy upcoming International Translation Day to kick off the next FIT mandate!
Alison Rodriguez, president@fit-ift.org