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FIT StrategicPlan 2021 EN
FIT StrategicPlan 2021 EN
FIT StrategicPlan 2021 EN
Strategic Plan
BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE
PROFESSION
Introduction
What Is FIT?
Mission, Vision, Values
Strategic Priorities
Visibility
Community
Progress
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Introduction
What Is FIT?
Mission, Vision, Values
Strategic Priorities
Visibility
This Strategic Plan outlines how FIT will fulfil Community
Progress
both its mission to be the global voice of its
The Translating &
member associations and its vision of a united, Interpreting Landscape
Operational Constraints
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INTRODUCTION
Introduction
The projects to achieve our mission are united under our three overarching strategic
priorities, namely VISIBILITY, COMMUNITY & PROGRESS What Is FIT?
Mission, Vision, Values
FIT’s founding vision, as enshrined in Articles 4 What do we mean by sustainable? In our The plan considers the strengths, weaknesses,
and 5 of the bylaws, (see Appendix 1) outlines mind, a sustainable profession: opportunities and threats considered relevant for Strategic Priorities
our role ‘to amplify the voice of translators in the our future. It takes into account FIT’s current level Visibility
i understands issues of best practice and
international arena, enhance their status in society of resourcing, and recognises both the financial
and uphold their material and moral interests’. This
professionalism and the need for evidence-
and human resources FIT has at its disposal, Community
based practice
is the work we prioritise under VISIBILITY. Article 4 however it is envisaged that future planning will Progress
also entreaties us to strive to establish cooperation ii creates growth and development pathways for need to reassess the balance. Indeed the COVID-19
among organisations, exchange information and new and seasoned professionals alike crisis will impact both financial and other resources,
The Translating &
best practice, support emerging associations and and a detailed update of the income/expenditure
iii responds adeptly to a changing future, Interpreting Landscape
promote harmonisation of professional standards, forecast against reality will be required.
addressing the influence of technology and Operational Constraints
and these objectives are categorised under our
evolving work patterns
priority of COMMUNITY; while stimulation and While the COVID crisis has driven FIT and its SWOT Analysis
support of education, training and research, along member organisations towards more and more Recommendations
Why do we need to focus on
with the issues of technology and the digital virtual activities thus freeing funds reserved for
sustainability? Conclusion
future, align under PROGRESS. Together these venues and travel, it has also meant a significant
three areas of priority will help us move towards a Concern about the future of the profession, and drop in the need of some translations and
sustainable profession. the changing role translators, interpreters and particularly traditional interpreting services and Appendix 1: FIT By Laws
terminologists, will play in it, creates uncertainty this demand may never return to previous levels, Appendix 2: FIT Background
in the minds of many. On many occasions this so individuals and member organisations and Stakeholders
uncertainty is met with curiosity and adaptability, thus the whole FIT may have to face whole new
Partner Organisations
just two of the skills future practitioners will need economic constraints.
in abundance. The post-COVID future, if it indeed
arrives, with its new needs, new business models,
and new paradigms will mean practitioners need to
be both technically and psychologically prepared.
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INTRODUCTION
Introduction
The projects to achieve our mission are united under our three overarching strategic
priorities, namely VISIBILITY, COMMUNITY & PROGRESS What Is FIT?
Mission, Vision, Values
Strategic Priorities
Visibility
Community
In the meantime, the skills, experience and FIT represents the interests of its constituents Progress
commitment of our members are valuable assets everywhere, enhancing the status of our
that allow us to do much with comparatively professions, safeguarding conditions, rights and The Translating &
little. This being the case, alignment of aims and freedoms, and integrating education, research and Interpreting Landscape
implementation are paramount. It is hoped that practice to ensure development and longevity. This Operational Constraints
this plan will create a united vision and direction, plan also aims to ensure FIT is actively connected
SWOT Analysis
and our members will see themselves as part of with all sectors of industry, to the benefit of all.
the higher strategy, as active agents of the change Recommendations
we all wish to make for the good of the profession. The plan is supported by the Implementation Conclusion
The global Corona Virus pandemic has shown the and Work Plans document, which outlines
benefits of community and FIT members’ strong implementation, details KPIs, and guides the aims
Appendix 1: FIT By Laws
commitment to share and support each other. and work of each committee to be convened.
Appendix 2: FIT Background
Together we are stronger.
Stakeholders
Partner Organisations
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WHAT IS FIT?
Introduction
What Is FIT?
Mission, Vision, Values
6
Introduction
What Is FIT?
Mission, Vision, Values
Strategic Priorities
OUR VALUES
Visibility
The values underpinning FIT processes, Community
actions and interactions are: Progress
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Introduction
What Is FIT?
Mission, Vision, Values
Strategic Priorities
Visibility
Community
Progress
8
VISIBILITY
Introduction
FIT recognises the need to elevate cohesion and status through increased international
presence, physical and digital visibility and therefore, status and influence. What Is FIT?
Mission, Vision, Values
In the current global and industry climate, in b) Consolidate platforms for digital
the short-term at least, visibility will be almost and social presence. Strategic Priorities
exclusively virtual. This will not impact our ability
i) Website: Produce a professional, Visibility
to maintain presence. Ironically, it will cut down
expenditure and increase our reach, saving branded, highly functional, interactive Community
time used for travel. It is true, the results are FIT website with up-to-date
Progress
not as effective as face-to-face, but for the information, as hub of FIT interactions
immediate future, virtual presence is a safe and information
and efficient substitute, and can open up new The Translating &
ii) Social Media: Maintain current
opportunities as well. Interpreting Landscape
presence and activity on social media
platforms Operational Constraints
1 Promote FIT and maintain a credible SWOT Analysis
professional profile at corporate, Indicators: Recommendations
public, national and international level • FIT presence at all relevant industry events with Conclusion
and throughout media. a calendar produced by FIT Council each year
a) Campaign for recognition of our in conjunction with budget preparation and Appendix 1: FIT By Laws
professional status published on website
Appendix 2: FIT Background
i) Increase representation at • A press release for each event/presentation Stakeholders
industry events (funded from • A new website with updated content Partner Organisations
the visibility budget)
• Continued increase in website traffic and
ii) Produce press releases on content with users finding it easy to use and
representation and events informative
iii) Create Position Papers • Weekly social media posts on all platforms and
sustained increase in likes/shares/followers
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES - VISIBILITY, COMMUNITY, PROGRESS
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VISIBILITY
Introduction
FIT recognises the need to elevate cohesion and status through increased international
presence physical and digital visibility and therefore, status and influence. What Is FIT?
Mission, Vision, Values
Strategic Priorities
2 Continue to support FIT publications 3 Build relationships with external
and respective Committees. stakeholders. Visibility
Community
While their readership and functions may i) Maintain relationships with current
differ, and indeed overlap, promotion and partners (listed in plan) Progress
regular publication of both Babel and
ii) Identify and explore opportunities with
Translatio are crucial to FIT history and in
new potential partners The Translating &
building the FIT brand.
Interpreting Landscape
iii) Continue campaigns in collaboration with
i) Continued publication of Babel FIT’s Operational Constraints
stakeholders (Open Letters, Conflict Zone
scholarly academic journal SWOT Analysis
Resolution, etc.)
ii) Continued publication of Translatio Recommendations
quarterly newsletter Indicators: Conclusion
• One FIT officer attending all partner events
Indicators:
• New agreements and MOUs developed Appendix 1: FIT By Laws
• Babel readership, downloads and impact ratings
Appendix 2: FIT Background
continue to stay strong or to grow • Open letters on all relevant issues that arise
Stakeholders
• Downloads of Translatio continue to increase
Partner Organisations
• Content contributions to Translatio continue at
current levels or increase
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COMMUNITY
Introduction
FIT recognises the need to consolidate a cohesive community through internal
networks and collaboration and strives to build a community of informed members What Is FIT?
who will promote best practices in the profession, reinforce community networks and Mission, Vision, Values
connect members.
Strategic Priorities
1 Foster a collaborative global 3 Showcase FIT Congress and FIT Prizes. Visibility
community of language professionals
Peace A FIT World Congress explores relevant
Community
that knows, understands and actively
Understanding
industry themes, offers practical
Development
promotes FIT. advice and learning and develops Progress
i) Promote and support Regional Centre (RC)
international networks among FIT
initiatives and events members and partners. The Translating &
International Translation Day
Interpreting Landscape
i) Support congress hosts and ensure a
30 September 2017
Operational Constraints
Recognised by UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/71/288
Reconnue dans la résolution de l’Assemblée générale de l’ONU A/RES/71/288
Indicators:
• Increase in number of organised ITD celebration
events promoted through FIT
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES - VISIBILITY, COMMUNITY, PROGRESS
• Increased coverage and visibility of ITD in media
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COMMUNITY
Introduction
FIT recognises the need to consolidate a cohesive community through internal
networks and collaboration and strives to build a community of informed members What Is FIT?
who will promote best practices in the profession, reinforce community networks and Mission, Vision, Values
connect members.
Strategic Priorities
Visibility
Community
4 Support other international events Progress
under the FIT umbrella.
i) Asia Pacific Translation and Interpreting The Translating &
Forum (APTIF) Interpreting Landscape
ii) International Legal Translation Forum Operational Constraints
(ILTF) SWOT Analysis
iii) Keep members informed of our plans Recommendations
Conclusion
iv) International-level events hosted by or
involving FIT Regional Centres
Appendix 1: FIT By Laws
Indicators: Appendix 2: FIT Background
• Increased collaboration in calendar of Regional Stakeholders
Centre events and initiatives Partner Organisations
• APTIF and ILTF events held on schedule with
steady or increasing participation
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Introduction
What Is FIT?
Mission, Vision, Values
Strategic Priorities
Visibility
Community
Progress
13
PROGRESS
Introduction
To promote a sustainable and harmonised profession, FIT believes it is important to
support practice and training of future practitioners and skill-building pathways. What Is FIT?
Mission, Vision, Values
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PROGRESS
Introduction
To promote a sustainable and harmonised profession, FIT believes it is important to
support practice and training of future practitioners and skill-building pathways. What Is FIT?
Mission, Vision, Values
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Introduction
What Is FIT?
Mission, Vision, Values
Strategic Priorities
Visibility
Community
Progress
16
THE TRANSLATING AND INTERPRETING LANDSCAPE
Introduction
To the three major global phenomena profoundly
impacting the commercial landscape and our
OPERATIONAL What Is FIT?
Mission, Vision, Values
profession, namely CONSTRAINTS
• advances in technology, ‘big data’ and • Limited financial resources Strategic Priorities
digitalisation
Now more than ever before, the future of Visibility
• Limited human resources and dependence
• changing demographics and skillsets the profession will require adaptability to
on volunteers Community
new work models and on-going learning,
• new political, media and social paradigms in a
increasing integration of technology, and greater • Part-time Secretariat Progress
global marketplace
interdisciplinary and multimodal interface.
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SWOT ANALYSIS
Introduction
Internal (Strengths & Weaknesses) / Organization vs. External (Opportunities & Threats) / Industry
What Is FIT?
Mission, Vision, Values
Strategic Priorities
Visibility
Community
STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES Progress
• Strong position as the only global association of all • Reliance on dues for income
translators, interpreters and terminologists The Translating &
• Limited human resources and dependence on volunteers
• Institutional history and knowledge Interpreting Landscape
• Geographical distance between members and events
Operational Constraints
• Existing, established networks and connections
• Widely varying needs of membership SWOT Analysis
• Ability to draw on wide skillset of members
• Failure to adapt and respond quickly to events and/or Recommendations
• Geographical spread of members ensures global intelligence change Conclusion
and knowledge base
• Move towards local focus over global
• Partnerships with other organisations Appendix 1: FIT By Laws
• Disruptions during transition between mandates
• Early adoption of remote collaborative work platform and – Loss of too many Council members (historical knowledge) Appendix 2: FIT Background
zoom account for meetings and CPD – Changes in direction, policies, and projects Stakeholders
Partner Organisations
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SWOT ANALYSIS
Introduction
Internal (Strengths & Weaknesses) / Organization vs. External (Opportunities & Threats) / Industry
What Is FIT?
Mission, Vision, Values
Strategic Priorities
Visibility
OPPORTUNITIES THREATS
Community
• Huge market growth in need for translation services • Variable global economic conditions
Progress
• Flexible, highly-educated workforce able to up-skill • Freelance workforce model with increasing reliance on
remote teams with disparity of power among players
• At ‘cutting-edge’ of technology revolution with repetitive The Translating &
work automated • Failure to adapt to/embrace benefit of technology Interpreting Landscape
• Increase in ease of collaboration • Lack of information exchange Operational Constraints
SWOT Analysis
• In the new multimodal environment translators may benefit • Widely varying conditions between geographical areas and
from professional association with other knowledge- languages Recommendations
intensive and computer-based professions Conclusion
• English or other language used as a lingua franca in place of
• The untapped potential of cross-industry partnerships with translation
other organisations Appendix 1: FIT By Laws
• View on professional translation skewed by machine
translation Appendix 2: FIT Background
Stakeholders
Partner Organisations
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Introduction
What Is FIT?
Mission, Vision, Values
Strategic Priorities
Visibility
Community
Progress
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RECOMMENDATIONS
Introduction
STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS It is envisaged that all these Committees will strive Operations Management What Is FIT?
to further include the work of terminologists in Mission, Vision, Values
Operations will continue to be managed by the
This Strategic Plan requires the following their work plans as a core focus of FIT.
Secretary General and the Secretariat.
committees.
Strategic Priorities
i Babel Financial Management
OPERATIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS Visibility
ii Translatio Explore avenues for future financial opportunities
General Management Community
and growth.
iii External Partnerships
• Clear and comprehensive governance policies
Progress
iv Communications Implementation
and procedures
v Solidarity Fund Implementation strategy and Key Performance The Translating &
• Change-management between mandates
vi Event and Awards Management Indicators are outlined in the Implementation and Interpreting Landscape
• Continue to develop communication & Work Plans document, available to committees and Operational Constraints
vii ISO Standards collaboration on request
SWOT Analysis
viii Human Rights • Build a comprehensive media and promotional
Regional Centre plans will be developed in Recommendations
ix Association Development and Engagement strategy that embraces digital and social media
conjunction with Regional Centre Chairs, with Conclusion
x Audiovisual • Develop detailed risk management plan ( for input from the 17 committees.
internal & external risks)
xi Education and Professional Development Appendix 1: FIT By Laws
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CONCLUSION
Introduction
What Is FIT?
Mission, Vision, Values
22
Introduction
What Is FIT?
Mission, Vision, Values
Strategic Priorities
Visibility
Community
Progress
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APPENDICES
Introduction
What Is FIT?
Mission, Vision, Values
APPENDIX 1
FIT BY LAWS – ARTICLES 4 AND 5
Strategic Priorities
Article 4 Article 5 Visibility
FIT shall above all –
FIT shall also represent professional translators,
Community
(a) act as the international voice of translators, (f) stimulate and support education, training interpreters and terminologists at the international Progress
interpreters and terminologists and make that and research in translation, interpreting and level, particularly vis-à-vis international
voice heard in the relevant public and political terminology; governmental and non-governmental organisations
The Translating &
arenas; and public opinion, ensure representation at
(g) strengthen the community of translators, Interpreting Landscape
meetings that may concern translators, interpreters
(b) seek to enhance the professional status of the interpreters and terminologists internationally Operational Constraints
and terminologists at any international level,
translators, interpreters and terminologists in by providing assistance for the establishment
prepare and issue publications, and organise or SWOT Analysis
society; of associations in countries where they do not
arrange for the organisation of meetings at which Recommendations
yet exist;
(c) strive to establish links and co-operation with any matters concerning translators, interpreters Conclusion
other international organisations, especially and terminologists may be discussed.
(h) lend its good offices in resolving any disputes
in the field of translation, interpreting and
involving member organisations; Appendix 1: FIT By Laws
terminology;
Appendix 2: FIT Background
(d) encourage the exchange of information and (i) uphold the moral and material interests of
best practices among its member associations; translators, interpreters and terminologists Stakeholders
throughout the world. Partner Organisations
(e) promote the harmonisation of professional
standards and compliance with best practices
across the world;
APPENDICES
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APPENDICES
Introduction
What Is FIT?
Mission, Vision, Values
APPENDIX 2
GENERAL BACKGROUND Strategic Priorities
History Governance Financial Visibility
Founded in Paris in 1953 by Pierre-François Caillé, FIT is incorporated in France and is governed FIT annual fees from January 2016:
Community
FIT is an international federation of translators’ by French Law. The supreme governing body is
1 Regular members: 3.10 Swiss Francs per capita.
Progress
associations with member associations in over the Statutory Congress held every three years.
(Minimum contribution is 62 Swiss Francs/
50 countries throughout the world. It brings together delegations from FIT member
maximum annual contribution is limited to The Translating &
associations, elects the Council (which in turn
4,500 Swiss Francs). Interpreting Landscape
FIT is a strictly non-political non-governmental elects an Executive Committee) from nominated
organization and enjoys operational status representatives from all geographical areas. FIT 2 Associate members: 435 Swiss Francs Operational Constraints
with UNESCO, special consultative status with Council functions as a board of directors to govern SWOT Analysis
3 Observer members: 124 Swiss Francs
ECOSOC (UN Economic and Social Council) FIT until the next Statutory Congress is held. Recommendations
and maintains close contacts with many other Conclusion
FIT has funds secured for projects and on-going
international bodies.
commitments such as Solidarity and FIT Awards at
Congress. FIT’s main income is from membership Appendix 1: FIT By Laws
dues, however it also occasionally receives funding
Appendix 2: FIT Background
for its contribution towards individual projects or
advertising income. Stakeholders
Partner Organisations
APPENDICES
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APPENDICES
Introduction
What Is FIT?
Mission, Vision, Values
STAKEHOLDERS
Strategic Priorities
FIT’s stakeholders are:
Visibility
• Regular Members • FIT Council and Secretariat Council holds an annual physical meeting,
Community
Any professional association of translators, FIT Council comprises 17 council members in conjunction with member events and
interpreters and terminologists can be a with 14 elected from nominations by member celebrations. The aim is for FIT to support its Progress
regular member of FIT, as per the By Laws. FIT associations, and 3 co-options by the newly members with local presence to assist with
currently has members from the geographic elected Council to ensure appropriate global visibility and promotion. It is also a way for The Translating &
regions of Africa, North America, Latin coverage and necessary expertise. The Council members to attend Council meetings and see Interpreting Landscape
America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania. elects from amongst its members an Executive the workings of FIT. FIT’s support for member
Operational Constraints
Committee comprising the President, Secretary events has lead to cooperation and joint
• Associate and Observer Members General, Treasurer and three Vice-Presidents. initiatives. SWOT Analysis
Associate Membership is offered to Recommendations
organisations involved in any element of FIT Secretariat is employed by the Conclusion
translation, interpreting or terminology, related Executive Committee to perform executive
research and education and supporting the secretariat duties.
Appendix 1: FIT By Laws
aims of FIT.
Appendix 2: FIT Background
Observer Membership is offered to potential Stakeholders
candidates for regular membership. Partner Organisations
APPENDICES
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APPENDICES
Introduction
What Is FIT?
Mission, Vision, Values
APPENDICES
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FÉDÉRATION INTERNATIONALE DES TRADUCTEURS
INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF TRANSLATORS
Siège/Registered Office:
REGUS, 57 rue d’ Amsterdam, 75008 Paris, France
FIT Secretariat| secretariat@fit-ift.org | www.fit-ift.org | +(33) 1 53321755 | +(33)1 533 21 732
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