The NGO Committee on Language and Languages will hold a special briefing on language services and the European Union on 8 May 2024.

With twenty-four official languages, the European Union (EU) is rich in linguistic and cultural diversity.  Implementing multilingualism in the day-to-day work of EU institutions requires robust language services for interpretation and translation.  This special briefing addresses the administration of these services (e.g., how they are funded; how resources, time, and workload are allocated; and how it is staffed) as well as practical considerations for implementing language services for highly multilingual intergovernmental work.  Focusing specifically on the European Parliament, officials from the Directorate General for Logistics and Interpretation for Conferences and the Directorate General for Translation will discuss the provision of high-quality interpretation in meetings, training and succession planning that ensures sustainable and flexible service, managing interpretation processes, and strategic planning that transforms top-level vision into act on.

Representatives of NGOs, UN Secretariat and agency staff, EU staff, colleagues from Member States, scholars, language professionals, and others interested in multilingual services are invited to register for the briefing using this general registration form no later than 7 May.