The Linguist is a languages magazine for professional linguists, translators, interpreters, language professionals, language teachers, trainers, students and academics with articles on translation, interpreting, business, government, technology
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32 The Linguist Vol/55 No/1 2016 www.ciol.org.uk INSTITUTE MATTERS DIVISIONS & SOCIETIES February GUIDED VISIT TO THE ARMOURERS' HALL Friday 26 February City of London, 11am A unique opportunity to visit the Armourers' Hall, which is the oldest extant building in London, dating back to the 14th century. This event is fully booked. To join the waiting list, email Julie Hobbs: julie.hobbs@ciol.org.uk. £10; Coleman Street, EC2. AGM Saturday 27 February Berström Hotel, Luneburg, 11am Formal meeting. May AGM & 'A TALK ON CHINA' Saturday 14 May Wig & Mitre, Lincoln, 12-4pm The formal meeting will be followed by a networking lunch and a talk about the BPG GER LINC KEY DIVISIONS Business, Professions & Government: Interpreting: Translating: SOCIETIES Cambridge: German: Hong Kong: Lincolnshire: London: North West: Scottish: Spanish: BPG TD CAM GER LINC NW SCOT LON SP HK ID Ruling the waves THE BPG DIVISION VISITS THE INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION How many of us realise that the majority of the things we own, touch and buy arrive in the UK by sea? And how many are aware that maritime regulations for commercial shipping are controlled by the prestigious International Maritime Organization, based in London in premises overlooking the Thames? Thanks to BPG Committee member Rodney Mantle's links with the Twickenham and Richmond Branch of the United Nations Association (TRUNA), 24 division members were able to visit IMO headquarters in November. Established in 1959, when the need for universal standards in shipping and the protection of the marine environment were recognised, the IMO now employs around 300 staff of 50 nationalities, and has 171 member states and three associate members. Even landlocked countries, such as Zambia (the most recent member), are dependent on goods transported by sea. Indeed, nearly 90% of world trade is carried by sea, so shipping underpins the global economy. Standards and guidelines cover everything from safety and security on board to accident response, ship recycling and pollution, and member states are expected to monitor practice in order to ensure that these standards are adhered to. Increasingly, too, there are security concerns over piracy and terrorism. Many of the issues are extremely complex. Security plans for shipping, for example, raise questions over the liability of on-board armed guards, and conventions on pollution have to recognise that 80% of marine pollution originates from the land and that micro-organisms are transferred around the world in the ballast water of ships. Even before the tour started, one IMO-trained CIOL visitor shared tales of his life in merchant shipping, including being on a ship that struck an iceberg. It proved an excellent introduction to IMO's motto: "Safe, secure and efficient shipping in clean oceans." Our tour began in the Main Hall, where the IMO plenaries take place – a kind of mini-UN General Assembly. BPG members were clearly absorbed by our guide's explanation of the practicalities of running IMO meetings. Later we were even allowed access to the interpreters' booths, normally not part of their tours. The next highpoint was a short film followed by a presentation by Media and Communications Officer Natasha Brown on the IMO's complex and varied work, ranging from legal matters to pollution. This was linked with a short talk by Hilary Evans of TRUNA about the United Nations Association, including the distribution of information materials, as well as a document prepared by Rodney on translating and interpreting at the UN. The tour was rounded off by a visit to the Maritime Knowledge Centre, which houses a wide variety of information on maritime activities and is used by researchers from many countries. The café, with views of the Thames and Houses of Parliament, was much appreciated, and on the way out we stopped to study the numerous maritime exhibits that the IMO has accumulated over the years. Many thanks to Rodney, his UNA colleagues and the IMO for organising this very enjoyable visit.