AITC (the International Association of Conference Translators) is the professional body representing translators, précis-writers, revisers and editors working on a temporary or permanent basis for international organizations or conferences, principally within the United Nations system. (Interpreters are represented by AIIC.)

The association was founded in 1962 mainly in order to standardize the working conditions and terms of employment of short-term language staff employed by these international organizations. An agreement was signed between AITC and various employer organizations; it has since been renegotiated on several occasions, most recently in 2012.

AITC currently has about 400 members, divided into three categories (see articles 2, 6, 7, 7bis and 8 of the Constitution):

• Candidate members (usually translators beginning their careers);
• Active members (predominantly freelance translators);
• Associate members (restricted to translators in permanent posts who do not wish to be active members, and to retired translators who wish to support the Association and maintain ties with the profession).

More information on the qualifications for membership and how to join AITC can be found here [insert link].

AITC’s activities are twofold: it endeavours, on the one hand, to defend the interests of its members and monitor the application of the agreement governing conditions of employment, and, on the other, to uphold high standards in the profession. To this end, it gives advice to its members on all aspects of their work, in particular their terms of employment, and responds to queries from employer organizations. The association’s professional code sets out the rights and duties of members, which are inseparable from each other.

Directory

AITC publishes a Directory, which it provides free of charge to its members and to some 400 contacts in employer organizations. The Directory contains all relevant information about the association’s members, including language combinations and types of work accepted. The paper version of the Directory is published annually; the online version can be updated whenever necessary via the secretariat.

Pension fund

The Pension Fund for Conference Interpreters and Translators (CPIT) is a body established under Swiss law and administered by Swiss actuaries and banks, membership of which is open to language professionals who can prove that they work as a conference translator or interpreter for major international organizations (entry is automatic for members or candidate members of AITC or AIIC). CPIT members may contribute to the fund directly or request employing organizations to transfer contributions to the fund on their behalf. They may make additional payments at any time.

N.B. AITC is not an employment agency and gives no undertaking to provide its members with work or to find them permanent positions.