Representatives from more than one hundred European universities and other stakeholders in the training of translators gather in Brussels on 16 and March 17 to complete the program that has launched the European Master in Translation and agree on the criteria that the programs Training must meet to obtain a quality label common EMT.

The network of European Master in Translation (EMT) will be the focus of an international conference organized by the European Commission in Brussels on 16 and 17 March 2009. The EC invites universities are translators professional to join a European network of training programs of high quality.

The European Master in Translation should be a benchmark of quality of training of translators, which consist of a set of skills to be acquired in a Masters in translation. The program began in 2005 at the initiative of Directorate General for Translation of the European Commission, and has been developed in close collaboration with renowned experts in the field of professional translation and academia.

The First Conference, held in October 2006 and March 2008 EMT Conference, established the basis for cooperation by proposing a standard set of core competencies in the framework of a curriculum of translation. The powers may be introduced by standard any university providing training for translators to participate in the network EMT. The Commission advises, but the responsibility for the training of translators is exclusively at universities. The establishment of the network will be the culmination of four years of development of the MET project, initiated by the Directorate General for Translation of the Commission.

When established, the network will help promote the exchange of best practices among the participating universities and, finally, to enhance both the levels of professionalism and education of future translators, as well as to create a real market for skilled translators.

"The fact that universities across the European Union to offer high quality curricula and attractive to the training of translators helps to ensure the supply of professionals trained not only to the Commission and other European institutions, but also for all markets in translation "said Leonard Orban, European Commissioner for Multilingualism.

The EMT Conference 2009 focuses specifically on:

• Key competencies necessary for future translators.
• University education and employability in order to strengthen cooperation between universities in different countries.
• The criteria for admission to the network of EMT.
• The benefits and responsibilities of network members and candidates.
• The work and the future organization of the network.

The Conferebce can only be attended by invitation, but the act, including the replies to questions sent in by viewers, will be broadcast live over the internet.

Universities interested in joining the EMT network must submit their application by April 30th 2009. Further informations about the way and process to join network of master's-level translation programmes can be found at the Translation DG dedicated page.