Academia and International Organizations: An Exploration of UN Language Services and Implications for Universities Teaching Translation and Interpretation

This paper explores the collaboration between academia and international organizations (IOs), focusing on the United Nations (UN) language services, and the implications of such collaboration for universities teaching translation and interpretation (T&I). By examining the historical development, current practices and latest trends in UN language services, the paper describes a comprehensive ecology of language services at the UN. It then highlights the UN’s commitment to multilingualism as a core value, emphasising the significance of high-quality language services in fostering effective multilingual communication among member states. The paper then explores the strategic partnership between Shanghai International Studies University (SISU) and the UN, showcasing how such collaborations can enhance T&I training programs to meet the UN’s operational needs and outreach goals. Finally, it addresses the broader implications for T&I training universities, suggesting targeted measures to align academic training with the practical demands of IOs. This study aims to enhance an understanding of academia’s role and function in supporting IOs, and to delineate approaches through which universities might better adapt to cater for the evolving needs and requirements of IOs. It advocates for intensified collaboration and the longer-term development of training programs aimed at fostering a pool of reserve talents for IOs.