AUF-Vanuatu: strengthening translation and interpreting skills

The Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) and the Department of Linguistic Services of the Government of Vanuatu (DSL) have signed a collaboration agreement aimed at professionalizing and strengthening the capacities of translators and interpreters working for the Vanuatu administration.

The agreement, signed on December 11, 2025 by Mr. Nicolas Mainetti,AUF Regional Director- Asia-Pacific, and Mr. Stewart Garae, Director of the DSL, marks a new stage in AUF's support for public policies in favor of multilingualism and good governance.

The agreement defines the framework for an ambitious training program for Vanuatu government translation and interpretation staff. The AUF will provide its expertise for the pedagogical design, coordination and implementation of the modules, as well as for the evaluation of the activities. For its part, the Department of Linguistic Services will be responsible for identifying beneficiaries, organizing logistics in the field and monitoring the impact of training on the day-to-day running of the administration.

The program will involve a number of international trainers on a variety of topics: specialized translation techniques, conference and liaison interpreting, legal and administrative terminology, digital tools and best professional practices. Interpreting sessions will also be organized to enable participants to confront real-life work situations and consolidate their skills.

In addition to strengthening individual skills, this collaboration aims to structure a genuine language services cluster in Vanuatu, capable of supporting reforms, international cooperation and exchanges with regional partners. It is fully in line with the mission of the AUF, an operator of the Francophonie, which supports educational and linguistic policies in the French-speaking world, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.

Through this agreement, the AUF and the Government of Vanuatu reaffirm their shared commitment to promoting multilingualism, facilitating access to information and enhancing the quality of institutional communication. The first training activities will take place in 2026, with the aim of creating a sustainable network of translation and interpreting professionals to support the country's development.

Source: www.auf.org/