AIIC News
In view of the 70th anniversary celebrations, the Advisory Board - regions, groups and committees - nominated colleagues or groups who have shown commitment, dedication and endless energy in serving the Association and the profession as a whole.
Though the AB’s list fails to acknowledge the many talents and dedicated members out there who make AIIC what it is, we wanted to pay tribute to these six incredible individuals. We thank ExCo for giving us an opportunity to take a step back and reflect on the many colleagues who give so much of their time to the Association.
Here are the six unsung heroes the AB wishes to celebrate and a short explanation of their contribution.
In alphabetical order:
1. Christiane Driesen
2. Monika Kokoszycka
3. Elke Limberger-Katsumi
4. Stefano Marrone
5. Nikoletta Pagoni
6. Maya de Wit
Christiane Driesen
 | Merci aux collègues, et néanmoins amis, de l’AIIC qui m’ont offert une telle reconnaissance dans le cadre des célébrations d’hier, je suis très fière et très heureuse! | |
| Christiane’s latest feat is the in-depth review of the Association’s Code of Professional Practice jointly with Myriam Nahon, AIIC Israel. Before that, Christiane had worked on the revamp of the Code of Ethics of AIIC, undertaking the massive task of going through the Codes of Ethics of comparable professional organisations to ensure our Code of Ethics reflects the professionalism of the interpreting community. These are merely the latest examples of Christiane’s long-lasting, self-less and humble engagement to promote the profession and AIIC. | ||
Monika Kokoszycka
 | It is a great honour to be shortlisted alongside such accomplished colleagues, and to have been nominated by people who themselves contribute so much to the Association and the profession, as volunteers. Everything we do in AIIC is a team effort - and I have been fortunate to work with great team members. | |
| Monika was the AB member for the UK&Ireland Region during the pandemic, working hard to support her region’s members by setting up an online virtual café on Slack and a monthly Stammtisch on Zoom. The AI webinars that she organised during the pandemic were a tour de force. Monika also led the “Rethink AIIC” project, an ambitious initiative which she herself devised to think outside the box about how AIIC could be an even more effective association. | ||
Elke Limberger-Katsumi
 | I'm totally overwhelmed to see my name among all those distinguished personalities. I'm really the odd person out, the others have held senior offices in the association and really served it with lots of energy. They certainly all merit this distinction. I am already extremely happy that I have been considered. Very encouraging!! | |
| More than 10 years ago Elke wanted to make AIIC more visible to the world and at the same time, do some research into the history of simultaneous interpreting. She is based in Nuremberg and started to investigate the history of the interpreters working during the Nuremberg trials. She then developed the idea of creating an exhibition displaying the stories of as many interpreters as possible. | ||
Stefano Marrone
 | Safeguarding international justice and human rights, as witnessed in the Nuremberg Trial, professional ethics, notably at times of technological change, professional development, sign language interpreting: these are all areas where interpreters rise above their 'routine' professional function. | |
| Stefano Marrone is the prototype of the AIIC member who never backs down when it comes to working in the interest of the Association, at any level and in any capacity. He sits on an outstanding number of AIIC organs and groups, Vega, ATPD, CdP, the ISO group, he has been everywhere and done everything and, in so doing, has honoured and supported the high standing of AIIC. | ||
Nikoletta Pagoni
 | I am so honoured to be on the same short list with distinguished colleagues, whom I respect and admire. My region and colleagues in the Bureau, who accompanied me in this wonderful journey, were a constant source of inspiration and support for which I am so grateful. | |
| Nikoletta is a whirlwind force, vibrant – interested and interesting. Nikoletta worked long and hard to have AIIC Greece and Cyprus come closer to the then fledgling Greek Association of Conference Interpreters. She brought VEGA to our Region and created a vision of an AIIC that espouses excellence in conjunction with collegiality. | ||
Maya de Wit
 | Being part of the AB for six years has been one of my AIIC highlights. I met so many inspiring and talented colleagues, whom I then had an opportunity to work with in various capacities. | |
| Maya has been a member of AIIC and SLN since 2014. She was involved in the first steering group within SLN and prior to that being established worked tirelessly to ensure Sign Language interpreter members were recognised and acknowledged within the inner workings of AIIC. She was almost single-handed running and representing SLN until 2022, when the first Steering Committee was established. | ||