EFSLI HISTORICAL EXCURSUS

In 1987, a conference was held in Albi (France) which examined Sign Language Interpreting in an European context; this was organised under the auspices of the French Association of the Deaf in conjunction with the European Community Regional Secretariat of the World Federation of the Deaf (known today as European Union of the Deaf), and was the first time interpreters had the opportunity to met together to formally examine issues of importance to them.

Subsequently, a group of European Sign Language Interpreters who where working together at the WFD Congress in Finland (1987) agreed, with the support of the ECRS, to held the first "EFSLI" seminar which was organised in Glasgow (Scotland) in 1988. At this meeting a series of resolutions were agreed to be used as framework for the future meetings. This informal group met again in 1990 in Lisbon (Portugal), 1990 Athens (Greece), 1991 Brussels (Belgium) and 1991 in Hamburg (Germany).

At this stage, EFSLI was an informal group. However, it became clear that in order to put the work of EFSLI on a more formal foundation and to seek financial support, the organisation had to become properly constituted, with agreed regulations.

In Brussels (Belgium), at the end of August 1993, the first EFSLI Constitution was ratified and the Board members elected. One of the important conditions, at that time, was that Board members could represent different regions of Europe. The Officers elected at this first official EFSLI meeting were:

- Ms Liz Scott Gibson from Scotland (President)
- Ms Raili Ojala from Finland (Vice-president)
- Ms Andrea Schulz from Germany (Secretary)
- Ms Susanne Carstensen from Denmark (Treasurer)
Members: Ms Michèle Berger, Switzerland); Ms Griet Geysels, Belgium and Ms Esther de los Santos, Spain.

The first EFSLI Seminar was held in 1994, in Edinburgh (Scotland), following the Annual General Meeting (AGM). The theme of the seminar was “Working Conditions”. Support was provided by the Commission of the European Communities – Integration of Disabled People and the Helios II programme (a community action programme for Disabled Europeans Citizens who are living independently in an open society) as well as the continuing support by EUD. In 1997 all the European financial support ended.

The aim of EFSLI has always been to provide a forum for discussion and information sharing amongst its members and interpreters at large. Therefore, every year, following the AGM, an EFSLI seminar or conference has been organised that includes participants from all European nations and guests from all over the world.

Since its formal constitution in 1993 in Belgium, EFSLI have organised an AGM and a Seminar/Conference.

1994 Edinburgh (Scotland) - “Working Conditions” Seminar
1995 Gent (Belgium) - “Minimal Language Skills” Seminar
1996 Barcelona (Spain) - “Professionalism: Our challenge for 2000” Conference
1997 Greystones (Eire)
1998 Stockholm (Sweden) - “Interpreter in Education” Conference
1999 Gent (Belgium) - Seminar”Future of EFSLI” Seminar
1999 - Madrid, Spain Interpreters Trainers meeting
2000 Copenhagen (Denmark) -”What is the code of ethics for the loyal, human, conscious, Interpreter in the year 2000?” Conference
2001 Ede (Netherlands) -”Raising the Profession” Conference
2001 - Edinburgh, Scotland Interpreters Trainers meeting
2001 - Passugg, Switzerland Deaf Trainers meeting
2002 Oslo (Norway) - “Interpreting – A Piece of Art” Conference
2003 Brighton (England) - “Community Interpreting: the Essence, the Value and the Future” Conference
2004 - Helsinki, Finland Interpreters Trainers meeting
2004 Vantaa (Finland) - “Interpreting - Cooperating and Teamwork” Seminar
2005 Karlslunde (Denmark) - “WASLI Consultation/EFSLI 2006 and beyond” Seminar

EFSLI is totally dependent on the goodwill of its members. Board members are all volunteers who have demanding professional responsibilities but who are, nevertheless, committed to seeing EFSLI established as a positive resource for Sign Language Interpreters throughout Europe and wherever possible at International level.

Full members to date are:

ANIOS and ANIMU (Italy),
bgd (Swiss German), ARILS (Swiss French),
AFILS (France),
ASLI (England, Wales and Northern Ireland), SASLI (Scotland),
FTT (Denmark),
Tolkeforbundet (Norway),
SVT (Finland),
STTF (Sweden),
CKTZJ (Czech Republic),
ZTZJS (Slovenia),
EVKTŰ (Estonia),
FILSE (Spain),
NBTG (Netherlands),
BGSD (Germany),
SDENG (Greece).
OGSDV (Austria)

We are also in communication with:

IASLI (Republic of Ireland),
AILGP (Portugal),
VVTG (Belgium Flemish),
ABILS (Belgium French),
AILSM  (Malta),
Romania,
Iceland,
Hungary,
Cyprus,
Lithuania,
Latvia,
Serbia/Montenegro,
Croatia.

The current EFSLI Board is:

Marco Nardi, President
Head of Internal and Development Department
Head of International Department
Nominated by ANIOS (Italy)

Kit Y. Pedersen, Secretary
Head of Secretariat Department
Nominated by FTT (Denmark)

Zane Hema, Treasurer
Head of Financial Department
Nominated by ASLI (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)

Griet Geysels, (co-opted account administrator)
Nominated by the EFSLI Board

Nigel Cleaver, Board member
Head of Training and Professional Development Department
Nominated by ASLI (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)

Karin Arquisch, Board member
Head of Publicity and Promotion Department
Nominated by bgd (German speaking Switzerland)

Linda Thomson, Board member
Head of Communication Department
Nominated by SASLI (Scotland)

For more information, see http://www.efsli.org.uk/