Red T is honored to celebrate International Translation Day with the Colombian Association of Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters (ACTII) and the University of Antioquia in Medellín. This year’s ITD is particularly momentous, since it marks the historic passing of Resolution A/RES/71/288 by the United Nations General Assembly on May 24, 2017, which FIT, AIIC, and Red T were privileged to witness. In adopting this text, the UN recognized “the role of professional translation in connecting nations, and fostering peace, understanding and development” and declared September 30th UN International Translation Day. Our thanks go to H.E. Ambassador Andrei Dapkiunas, then-Permanent Representative of Belarus to the United Nations, and the International Federation of Translators, which spearheaded this initiative.

Connecting nations, bringing understanding, and building peace, however, often come at a great cost to our profession and there is a trail of bloody evidence attesting to this. Red T presents some of this evidence by shining a light on the fate of linguists in conflict situations around the world. The people of Medellín and Colombia at large know all too well a reality filled with conflict. But, to quote ACTII’s president Mateo Cardona, the country has now “decisively engaged in a sinuous path of dialogue and peace building.” It is in this spirit that Red T and the coalition it represents offer solutions and a vision for the future of our embattled colleagues.