Do NGOs Need a Languages Policy?

The workshop ‘Do NGOs need a languages policy?’ was co-convened by INTRAC, the University of Reading, and the University of Portsmouth at the University of Reading on 20 January, 2014. The workshop aimed to explore possible gaps in knowledge on the use of languages by NGOs, with a view to submit a substantial research bid to appropriate research funders. Preliminary research revealed that language issues do not tend to have a high profile within organisations, formal language policies are often not in place, and translation and interpretation needs are often under-funded.

The workshop aimed to investigate the extent to which the sector reflects upon these challenges, and ways in which practitioners and academics could benefit from developing research collaboration on these issues.