Creating Opportunities Fund
Interpreters in Australia are fortunate to be able to access education and training opportunities; to have the collegiate support of a professional association; reasonable working conditions; an income from their work; occupational health and safety regulations to protect them; Code of Ethics, and an accreditation system ensuring some national standardisation of quality in interpreting skill. However, many signed language interpreters in developing countries continue to not share the same privileges. Therefore, to support our colleagues in developing nations, the ASLIA Creating Opportunities Fund (COF) was established in 2007.
COF provides financial support to our Oceania colleagues to
- Attend ANC and ITNS
- Develop a wide network of professional contacts
- Access resources, and strategies for development and advocacy
- Participate in discussions that affect our profession; sharing experiences and exchanging information – enriching our understanding in Australia of the global Deaf community and interpreter development in other countries.
History of COF
The Fund provides support to interpreters — and by extension, to the Deaf communities — from developing countries (or countries developing their interpreter profession) in the Oceania region. Stage one of this project provided the opportunity for interpreters from countries in the region to come to Australia for professional development and networking opportunities, including attending the ANC and ITNS. In 2014, the Fund shifted to stage two, which provides for the sending of Australian interpreter trainers to developing countries to deliver professional development.
Current Project funded by COF
The WASLI Oceania Regional Sub-Committee – Training has been working on creating structured training programs delivered on the ground in Oceania Regions, staffed by experienced interpreters and interpreter trainers. ASLITA Ltd. has been consulting with the Committee regarding the available COF funds how they could be expended to best support the professional development of interpreters in the Oceania Region.
The ASLITA Board has agreed to use the existing Creating Opportunities Funds, along with in-kind support, to contribute to establishing a 26 week interpreter training program. Along with in-kind support from ASLITA, the funds specifically would cover the costs of the actual teaching and assessment for the program and some of the administrative costs for running the program. The Committee are planning to run the program in October 2024 – 2025, however, this is subject to change.
Interpreter Associations, Language Service Providers and individuals are welcome to donate to the Creating Opportunities Fund initiative. Financials support from the community is essential to the fund in order to continue to provide support to our Oceania colleagues.
