Dr. Peter W. Krawutschke

President, International Federation of Translators

When the 17th FIT World Congress met in Tampere, Finland, this August, it unanimously selected Shanghai, China, as the venue for FIT's 18th World Congress in 2008. With that action, China assumed a pivotal role not only in FIT's own history, but also in the development of translation and interpretation globally as this will be the first time in its history that FIT will hold its congress in Asia, and it will offer FIT member organizations the opportunity to acquaint themselves with the work of their Asian colleagues. As FIT works collectively and globally to establish standards for the quality of the products of our work as well as for the training and education of future translators and interpreters, such contacts are essential.

The selection of Shanghai was preceded by an outstanding effort on part of the TAC leadership during the FIT Executive Committee's visit to Beijing in November 2004. Not only was the China Translation Achievement Exhibition impressive, but the care with which our visit was prepared spoke of a high level of organizational expertise and talent.

That impression was solidified by the TAC presentation in Tampere, during the FIT Statutory Congress this August. From the DVD presentation to the promotional materials and TAC exhibit to the generous invitation by Mr. Liu Xiliang, President of TAC, and Mr. Huang Youyi, TAC Secretary General and VP, our colleagues from TAC delivered a powerful and convincing presentation.

As the newly elected President of FIT, I look forward to sustaining FIT's growing attention to Asia and would like to offer FIT's support to my colleagues in China, in TAC as well as in the Shanghai Interpreters Association, as they prepare for the difficult task ahead of organizing a FIT World Congress for the global translator and interpreter community.

See you in Shanghai in 2008!