We are proud to put our clients in the spotlight and share their expertise. This time, we interviewed Both ENDS, an organisation dedicated to human rights, gender equality, and environmental protection worldwide. They talk about their mission, the challenges of multilingual meetings and events, and how our services have contributed to their success. Want to know more? Read the full story and get inspired!
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Could you tell us more about the mission and activities of your organisation and the languages you work with most frequently?

Both ENDS envisions a world where human rights are respected, gender justice is realised, and the environment is fostered and protected, thus assuring a life in dignity and prosperity for all, now and in the future.

Both ENDS strengthens civil society globally to gain critical influence over decisions and activities that affect people's rights and the environment, thus guaranteeing that society fosters and protects ecosystems while ensuring respect for all human rights, including the right to water, food and a safe living environment.

Our global partner network is the touchstone of everything we do. It plays a vital role in identifying, developing and implementing innovations that ensure the agency of local communities in decisions that affect their lives, livelihoods and the fair management of natural ecosystems. From all corners of the world, our global network calls attention to policies, decisions and investments that are inconsistent with the best interests of people and planet.
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Both ENDS works with civil society partners along three strategic pathways that together lay the foundation for our vision to become reality:

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1. An empowered and influential civil society: Our goal is that civil society can work openly and safely, make their voices heard and influence decision-making on ecosystem challenges and matters of environmental justice and human rights.
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2. Systemic change in public institutions that prioritises people and planet: Our goal is to achieve systemic change at all levels of social, political and economic institutions, to ensure that these unconditionally respect human rights and planetary boundaries.
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3. Transformative practices are the norm: Our goal is a massive upscaling and mainstreaming of bottom-up, planet-friendly practices, supported by favourable governance systems and availability of financial resources.

The languages we work with most frequently is Dutch, English, Portugese, Spanish and French.

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What challenges did you face when organising multilingual meetings/events?

The challenges are coordinating the technology for all the microphones, connecting all the required materials, and placing the interpreters in the right space/area. Another challenge is how to accompany the participants during break-out sessions and breaks in their informal communication with others who speak other languages.

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How have our services helped you overcome these challenges or contributed to the success of your meetings/events?

The Presence Group supported us by organising meetings with clear explanations. In addition, they visited us to explain what was needed and they helped with structuring the logistics. They showed flexibility to support with consecutive translation during break-out sessions and breaks.

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Can you describe a moment during one of your multilingual meetings/events where the impact of effective communication was especially noticeable?

Our event was a success, and we couldn't have been more pleased with how everything turned out. The interpreters and technician had a great and flexible work ethic throughout the event. So all participants were able to fully participate, no matter their language.

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If you were to give only one piece of advice to other organisations working across languages, what would that be?

Give the interpreters a good idea of what the event is about. Make sure they become familiar with the terms and jargon commonly used within your organisation. And also, make sure you reserve sufficient budget in your plans as professional interpretation is expensive but very much worthwhile if you are working with global partners and aim for everyone to be able to fully participate.

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_{More information:}

• _{Website: www.bothends.org}
• _{Contact: info@bothends.org}