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WITTA Charter

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THE CHARTER OF WORLD INTERPRETER AND TRANSLATOR TRAINING ASSOCIATION

(DRAFT)


(For Trial Implementation as of November 2016)


Preface

Representatives from world-renowned colleges and universities, prestigious academic journals and sci-tech enterprises convened in Guangzhou, China on November 19th, 2016, officially announcing the establishment of the World Interpreter and Translator Training Association.

The Charter is formulated on the basis of the spirit embodied in the World Interpreter and Translator Training Association (WITTA) Guangzhou Declaration.


I – General Provisions

Article 1 Name

“世界翻译教育联盟”is the official name in Chinese of the association and “World Interpreter and Translator Training Association” (hereinafter referred to as “WITTA”) is the official name in English.


Article 2 Nature

WITTA is a non-governmental and non-profit international association. It is an academic institution and a cooperative organization dedicated to the world’s interpreter and translator training and scientific research.


Article 3 Membership

Any institution, including colleges and universities, research institutes, academic journals, science and technology enterprises, professional organizations and governmental departments, that is dedicated to advancing the internationalization of the world’s interpreter and translator training and education, can apply for the membership of WITTA.


Article 4 Address of Headquarters and Secretariat

The headquarters of WITTA is based in Guangzhou of Guangdong Province, the People’s Republic of China. The secretariat of WITTA is based at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies.


II – Vision, Mission and Significance


Article 5 Vision

WITTA endeavors to build an international community of interpreter and translator education, research and technological services by taking advantage of the interdisciplinary role of translation studies in the integration of languages and cultures. WITTA aims to create a platform for promoting interpreter and translator education and research, development of training resources, and collaborations amongst its members. WITTA also strives to establish a number of centers of worldwide influence for cross-cultural communications, academic exchanges, research on translation education, translator training, development of teaching materials, convention and exhibition, as well as language services.


Article 6 Mission

WITTA will help and support its members to accelerate their educational internationalization, enhance their global influence and become a key player in the international community. WITTA also aims to, against the background of interdisciplinary integration, promote international exchange, alignment and commercialization of research results and findings by enterprises, universities and research institutes, so as to develop a new international education system in step with the trend of future development.


III – Scope of Work


Article 7 Scope of Work

1. WITTA holds councils, seminars and symposia to promote ties between governments, associations, enterprises and its members.

2. WITTA sets up a global network and a dynamic pool of human resources to enhance its capacity for serving the international community.

3. WITTA selects and authorizes institutes to provide various services of interpreter and translator education such as international scientific research, training of translation trainers, development of teaching materials, cultural exchange and itinerant exhibitions.

4. WITTA pulls together various resources to build up an international platform of service and innovation for advancing the construction of key disciplines and the development of regional economies. WITTA plays a dual role of academic agency and industrial broker so as to further the integration of quality resources of the world’s leading colleges and universities and promote the exchange, abutment and commercialization of their research results and findings. WITTA also aims to promote the international multilateral co-operation on incubation, exhibition, negotiation and trade of science and technology achievements.


IV – Admission and Withdrawal


Article 8 Conditions for Admission

1. The applicant shall undertake to observe the Charter of WITTA;

2. The applicant shall be ready to contribute to the world’s interpreter and translator education.

3. The applicant will submit an application for admission to be approved by the Council.


Article 9 Procedures for Admission

1. The applicant shall fill in a WITTA Membership application form and submit it to the Secretariat for review.

2. The application shall be discussed and approved by the Council.

3. The Council, or the Secretariat upon authorization from the Council, shall issue a WITTA membership certificate.


Article 10 Procedures for Withdrawal

1. A member who desires to withdraw from WITTA shall submit a written application to the Secretariat.

2. The application shall be reviewed by the Secretariat and discussed and if appropriate, approved by the Council.

3. The member shall sign an agreement of withdrawal and return the membership certificate to the Secretariat.

4. A member shall be deemed to have withdrawn from WITTA if the member fails to pay the membership fees or participate in activities of WITTA for two consecutive years. Under the said circumstance, the member shall be disqualified and be required to return the membership certificate to the Secretariat, and the said withdrawal will be publicized for 15 days on the official website of WITTA.


V – Rights and Obligations


Article 11 Rights of Members

1. Members shall have rights to join or withdraw from WITTA.

2. Members shall have rights to speak and vote at WITTA meetings, and have rights to elect and be elected at the Council.

3. Members shall have rights to participate in, criticize, advise on and supervise the daily affairs of WITTA.

4. Members shall have rights to advise on and apply for the organization of all types of seminars and symposia initiated by WITTA.

5. Members shall have rights to participate in all types of activities of different levels organized by WITTA.

6. Members shall have rights to access the financial information of WITTA.

7. Members shall, upon authorization, have rights to use in priority the official database and information of WITTA.

8. Members shall, upon authorization, have rights to publicize and promote their products and services at the official website of WITTA.

9. Members shall, upon authorization, have rights to disseminate information about their projects via the global network developed by WITTA.

10. Members shall have rights to authorize WITTA to hold symposia on education and scientific research with which they are concerned.

11. Members shall have rights to authorize WITTA to conduct regional and global investigations and analyses on programs of cultivating international talents.

12. Members shall have rights to authorize WITTA to recommend and train translation and interpreting teachers and talents.

13. Members shall have rights to apply for organizing or sponsoring the activities initiated by WITTA.


Article 12 Obligations of Members

1. Members shall observe the Charter of WITTA and protect its rights and interests.

2. Members shall implement resolutions made by WITTA and complete tasks assigned by WITTA.

3. Members shall actively participate in and alternately organize or co-organize activities initiated by WITTA.

4. Members shall have full respect for intellectual property rights owned by other members.

5. Members shall pay membership fees and activity fees on schedule.

6. Members shall provide WITTA with authentic and credible information and data.

7. Members shall perform other duties prescribed by WITTA.

VI – Structure and Operation


Article 13 Structure

WITTA practices a council system with a Standing Council (Executive Committee) and a Secretariat. The Secretariat is responsible for the execution of resolutions of the Council and daily operations of the Association. A number of experts and specialists are appointed as WITTA advisers.


Article 14 The Council

1. The Council is the decision-making body of WITTA.

2. WITTA Members may become members of the Council following their application, nomination by the Secretariat, and approval of the Congress.

3. The Council shall have the following powers and duties:

(1) Formulating and amending the Charter, and making basic rules and regulations of WITTA;

(2) Electing the leadership of the Council and making annual work plans of WITTA;

(3) Reviewing annual work reports of the Council or proposals by members of the Council;

(4) Discussing and making cooperation and development plans of WITTA;

(5) Making overall arrangements for resources sharing and coordinating among WITTA members;

(6) Deciding on offering or termination of membership of WITTA;

4. Under normal circumstances, the Council shall hold one meeting every two years. In special circumstances, a special meeting may be convened upon proposal by a majority of the Council members.

5. The Council shall have one President and several Vice-Presidents.

(1) The President shall be elected by a two-thirds majority of all the Council members;

(2) Vice-Presidents shall be recommended by the President and decided by the Council through discussion.

6. The President shall have powers and duties as follows:

(1) Taking responsibility for the overall management of WITTA, convening and presiding over the Council meeting to discuss and review annual work plans;

(2) Taking the initiative to coordinate and address major issues relating to WITTA;

(3) The President shall serve for a five-year term of office and shall normally be eligible for election for an additional term;

(4) In case that the President is unable to perform duties, one of the Vice-Presidents nominated by the President and authorized by the Council shall act on behalf of the President.

7. Vice-Presidents shall have powers and duties as follows:

(1) Assisting the President with the management of WITTA;

(2) Submitting proposals regarding the development of WITTA to the Council;

(3) Coordinating relations among member organizations.

(4) Vice-Presidents shall serve for a five-year term of office and be eligible for an additional term upon the approval of the Council.


Article 15 The Standing Council (Executive Committee)

1. The Standing Council consists of executive members of the Council, including the President, Vice-Presidents, the Secretary General, and the Executive Deputy Secretary-General.

2. During the interval between meetings of the Congress, the Standing Council shall perform the duties of the Council, responsible for routine operations of WITTA.


Article 16 WITTA Advisers

1. WITTA Advisers provide strategy advice and consultancy for the development of WITTA.

2. WITTA Advisers shall be recommended by the President and/or Vice-Presidents and appointed by the Standing Council through discussion.

3. WITTA Advisers shall be issued certificates and serve for a five-year term of office.


Article 17 The Secretariat

1. The Secretariat is the permanent administrative body of WITTA, having its exclusive workplace, office equipment, and management and operation team.

2. The Secretariat consists of one Secretary General, one Executive Deputy Secretary-General, and several Deputy Secretaries-General.

3. The Secretariat shall have duties and responsibilities as follows:

(1) Organizing, coordinating and/or preparing for meetings of WITTA;

(2) Implementing resolutions made by the Council;

(3) Preparing annual work reports and annual budgets and submitting them to the Council for review;

(4) Raising funds;

(5) Drafting rules and regulations and submitting them to the Council for approval;

(6) Maintaining regular contact with member organizations, managing relevant affairs and providing necessary services;

(7) Establishing and updating WITTA’s expert database;

(8) Fulfilling routine tasks assigned by the President and/or Vice-Presidents;

(9) Creating and maintaining the official website and WeChat account of WITTA;

(10) Publishing the journal of WITTA;

(11) Facilitating the implement of relevant academic research and empirical studies approved by the Council;

(12) Fulfilling other tasks assigned by the Council.

4. Secretary General

(1) The Secretary General, who is appointed by the Council upon nomination by the host institution of the Secretariat, shall serve a five-year term of office and be eligible for an additional term upon the approval of the Council;

(2) The Secretary General shall be responsible for daily affairs of WITTA;

(3) The Secretary General shall be in charge of the management of the Secretariat in accordance with the rules and regulations approved by the Council;

(4) The Secretary General shall take responsibility for the employment, promotion and dismissal of staff of the Secretariat;

(5) The Secretary General shall submit proposals for adjustments of the departments of the Secretariat to the Council for review and approval;

(6) The Secretary General shall perform other tasks delegated or authorized by the Council.

5. Executive Deputy Secretary-General

(1) The Executive Deputy Secretary-General shall be nominated by the Secretary General and appointed by the Council;

(2) Upon delegation or authorization from the Secretary General, the Executive Deputy Secretary-General shall assist the Secretary General with relevant affairs;

(3) The Executive Deputy Secretary-General shall serve a five-year term of office and be eligible for an additional term upon the approval of the Council.

6. Deputy Secretaries-General

(1) Deputy Secretaries-General shall be nominated by the Secretary General and appointed by the Council;

(2) Upon delegation or authorization from the Secretary General, Deputy Secretaries-General shall assist the Secretary General with relevant affairs;

(3) Deputy Secretaries-General shall serve a five-year term of office and be eligible for an additional term upon the approval of the Council.

7. Duties of the Secretary General shall be terminated in one of the following situations:

(1) Resignation is submitted to the President three months in advance;

(2) A resolution calling for the dismissal of the Secretary General is passed by a two-thirds majority of all the Council members;

(3) The Secretary General is unable to perform duties.

8. Duties of the Executive Deputy Secretary-General or Deputy Secretaries-General shall be terminated in one of the following situations:

(1) Resignation is submitted to the Secretary General three months in advance;

(2) A written dismissal report is issued by the Secretary General;

(3) The Executive Deputy Secretary-General or Deputy Secretary-General is unable to perform duties.


Article 18 Dissolution

Dissolution of WITTA shall comply with the following procedures:

1. A proposal for dissolution shall be submitted to the Council, and the Council makes a resolution thereon.

2. The dissolution shall comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the Secretariat is situated with regard to the dissolution of social groups and organizations.


VII – Finance


Article 19 Financial Resources

1. Annual dues paid by member organizations.

2. Sponsorships for activities.

3. Legitimate donations accepted by the Council.

4. Government funds.

5. Licensing fees.

6. Other legitimate income.


Article 20 Use of Funds

1. All funds of WITTA shall be used for the realization of the goals and development of WITTA specified in the Charter.

2. Funds shall be used to cover expenses for routine operations of the Secretariat, organization of meetings and major activities, employment of experts, surveys of industries, creation of databases, construction and maintenance of the official website, construction and development of the service platform, publicity materials of the brand image and other relevant expenses.


Article 21 Management of Funds

1. The funds of WITTA shall be managed by the Finance Department under the Secretariat and supervised by the Council to ensure the legitimacy, credibility and completeness of all the accounting materials.

2. The Secretariat shall formulate annual budgets in accordance with resolutions of the Council, execute budget plans approved by the Council, and submit financial statements to the Council on a regular basis.

3. An accounting firm shall be employed to audit the accounts of WITTA and provide annual audit reports.


VIII – Supplementary Provisions


Article 22 Amendments to the Charter shall be proposed by the Council and come into force upon their adoption by a two-thirds majority of all the Council members at the Council meeting.


Article 23 The Council may formulate rules in accordance with provisions of the Charter. The rules shall not conflict with the provisions of the Charter.


Article 24 The Charter shall take effect upon its adoption by a two-thirds majority of all the Council members.


Article 25 The Council reserves the right to interpret the Charter.


Article 26 The official languages of the Charter shall be Chinese and English. Both languages have the same legal effect.