On 30 November, the Association of Hungarian Translators and Interpreters (MFTE) hosted FIT Europe’s general meeting in Budapest, welcoming representatives from various European FIT member associations.
To kick off the day, our president gave a presentation showcasing the Regional Centre’s work over the past three years, followed by a spirited debate on issues concerning our member associations and the professionals they represent. It was truly enriching to hear all the perspectives and proposals about our alliances with other European federations, our advocacy with European institutions, our internal and external communications, our sources of funding, and the future of the profession. The event offered the perfect opportunity to renew our collaboration agreement with the European Legal Interpreters and Translators Association (EULITA) and, as every three years, hold elections to appoint new members to the Board.
Following the vote count, the new FIT Europe Board welcomed John O’Shea from the Panhellenic Association of Translators (PEM, Greece) as Chairperson, María Galán Barrera from Asociación Española de Traductores, Correctores e Intérpretes (ASETRAD, Spain) as Vice-Chair, Irina Sanders from the Association of Interpreters and Translators (AIT, United Kingdom) as Secretary General, Thomas Musyl from UNIVERSITAS Austria Interpreters and Translators Association (UNIVERSITAS) as Treasurer, and Zsuzsanna Lakatos-Báldy from the Association of Hungarian Translators and Interpreters (MFTE) and Marek Kądzielski from the Polish Society of Sworn and Specialised Translators (TEPIS) as members. In the face of an uncertain future rife with challenges for our profession, associations, and society, the new FIT Europe Board is tasked with working more closely than ever with our member associations and colleagues across the other four FIT Regional Centres to advocate for our profession and federation. We would also like to thank Gabriella Suzanne Vanzan from the National Association of Professional Conference Interpreters (Assointerpreti Associazione Nazionale Interpreti di Conferenza Professionisti, Italy) and Sandra Mouton from Société française des traducteurs (SFT, France), former vice chair and secretary general, respectively, for their work and dedication during the past three years.
We ended the day on a high note by having dinner together and celebrating our host association’s 35th anniversary. We are very grateful for MFTE’s hospitality and dedication in making this European meeting come together.
The next morning, a few delegates joined a guided tour of the stunning Hungarian capital, where they explored some of its most iconic landmarks. It was, without a doubt, a wonderful opportunity to continue bonding and catching up with colleagues from all over Europe.
To conclude, we would like to thank all the delegates for their active participation in our general meeting and to Liese Katschinka, FIT Honorary Advisor and representative of EULITA, Francesca Novajra, President of the European Council of Literary Translators’ Associations (CEATL), and FIT’s Executive Committee for joining us as observers on such an important day for FIT Europe.
María Galán Barrera (ASETRAD, FIT Europe Vice Chair (2024–2027)