Every year the UK attracts a very large number of international conferences and meetings. London and other major cities offer excellent convention centres equipped with built-in booths, such as the Queen Elisabeth II Centre in London and the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Birmingham. Belfast and Cardiff are also popular conference venues.
In all the cities and also in the country there are hotels where meetings may be held and mobile booths easily set up.
During 2005 the UK held the Presidency of the G8 and from July 1st also the Presidency of the EU and a large number of meetings required interpretation. AIIC interpreters are accredited with the EU institutions and UK Government Departments and were called upon to interpret at these meetings as in the past.
Scotland, with its history and culture, has always been a popular venue for international meetings and business.
There are many excellent facilities such as the state-of the-art Edinburgh International Conference Centre and the SECC (Scottish Exhibition & Conference Centre) in Glasgow and many other large hotel venues which all host regular international conferences.
The advent of the Scottish Parliament has recently added a new dimension, with the forging of closer links between Scotland and the regions of Europe, whose leaders and businessmen are frequent visitors.
International Organizations
In and around London, AIIC interpreters work regularly for many international organizations:
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
International Maritime Organisation (IMO)
International Cocoa Organization (ICCO)
International Coffee Organization (ICO)
International Sugar Organization (ISO)
European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products (EMEA)
European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecast (ECMWF)
Please contact the Consultant Interpreters in AIIC UK and Ireland who will be pleased to help you.
Professional Status
AIIC members in the UK have been involved for many years in work relating to national language standards spearheaded by CILT, the National Centre for Languages. A new phase is now starting up with the focus on skills above Level 5, which concern Conference Interpreters. This is a welcome step forward in obtaining recognition for our profession.
AIIC is involved in an initiative aiming at creating the title of “Chartered Linguist” and work has begun on the assessment required for Conference Interpreters.
