About CLI
Led by members, powered by volunteers
Critical Link International is the leading global non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the profession of community interpreting.
For over 30 years, CLI and its members have been at the forefront of shaping community interpreting into a recognized field of practice, research, and education.
Together, we have helped strengthen language access around the world, reducing barriers to essential public services, and helping to ensure people can be accurately understood in their own voice.
CLI is entering a new chapter in this time of unprecedented change for community interpreters. We welcome you to share your voice and continue the legacy of Critical Link International.
What is community interpreting?
Community interpreting is the form of language interpreting used in everyday public service settings so people who do not speak the dominant language can access essential services on an equal footing.
It enables communication between service providers (like doctors, lawyers, social workers, police, housing officers) and service users who have limited proficiency in the official language of the country.
Our industry works across all industries
How we serve
CLI Conferences
For more than three decades, CLI Conferences have been a highlight on the community interpreting calendar. Each gathering has accelerated standards, surfaced new research, and built enduring cross-border networks.
Planning for Conference CLI 10 is underway. We are seeking host institutions, sponsors, volunteers and presenters.
Online networks
Year-round connection between conferences, through online communities and networks where members share perspectives and keep the field moving.
Advocacy and engagement
We engage governments, institutions and policy makers to raise the visibility of community interpreting and improve access to professional practitioners.
Supporting research
We encourage, direct and share research, promote funding opportunities, and give researchers access to our member base for surveys and interviews.
Professional development
Learning and skill-building for interpreters and related professionals, through resources, research, communities and events.
Information sharing
Research, evidence and real-world experience made accessible, so the field can learn from itself rather than relearning the same lessons in parallel.
The pillars that guide us
01
Global community
Creating a shared home for the field so insights and solutions can travel across countries, sectors, and languages.
02
Standards and professionalism
Helping to define what quality looks like in community interpreting, by translating shared ethics and evidence into practical guidance that organizations can adopt.
03
Knowledge and research
Providing a trusted home where community interpreting research can be published, discovered, and put into practice by the people who need it.
04
Advocacy and awareness
Building relationships with governments and peak bodies to ensure the importance of quality interpreting is recognized in policy, properly resourced, and delivered in practice.
We’re working towards a world where everyone
can speak, understand, and be understood in their own voice.
A world where professional community interpreting is recognised, resourced, and integrated into every public service globally, where language diversity is honoured, communication equity is standard practice, and interpreters are valued as essential contributors to social justice, inclusion, and community wellbeing.
Our history
Critical Link International was founded in 1992 in Canada. Due to continuous global growth, Critical Link re-incorporated as an international organization and in 2010 became Critical Link International.
CLI continues to promote and advocate for interpreters working in health, legal and public services, both regionally and globally. We are a virtual organization, with a Board of Directors from 7 different countries, and over 350 international members world-wide. CLI works closely with other international and regional organizations to ensure that quality language services, provided by professional interpreters, are an integral part of all public services.
Critical Link sits as an expert member at the ISO TC 37 Terminology and other language content and resources, and the Health Standards Organization, Technical Committee for Communication in Health Services, through the role of the President.
Upholding our values for over 30 years
Collaboration
We believe in the power of working together to create lasting impact.
Advancement
We are committed to continuously improving the quality and accessibility of community interpreting worldwide.
Integrity
We uphold the highest standards of ethical and impartial interpreting practice.
Equity
We are dedicated to ensuring fair access to services for all language communities.
Language justice
Providing a trusted home where community interpreting research can be published, discovered, and put into practice by the people who need it.
Strengths-based approach
We recognise that interpreting benefits everyone, and that multilingual communities bring valuable contributions to society.
Our governance team
CLI is run by a dedicated team of experts who generously volunteer their time and energy
CLI helps write the standards it asks institutions to meet
Through the office of the President, Critical Link International sits as an expert member on two international standards bodies.
ISO
Technical Committee 37
Terminology and other language and content resources. Expert member.
HSO
Communication in Health Services
Health Standards Organization, Technical Committee.