The service d’interprétation UNIVERBAL is a key initiative of Le Monde des Possibles, which is based on the principles of the social and solidarity economy to meet the language needs of the health, social, and legal sectors. This service provides essential mediation to ensure that professionals and non-native speakers can communicate effectively, taking into account cultural and linguistic subtleties.
Based on an inclusive and collaborative approach, UNIVERBAL relies on a team of highly trained interpreters who are fluent in more than 30 languages, including Arabic, Russian, Somali, Tigrinya, and Turkish. These interpreters, who often have migration backgrounds themselves, are a concrete example of how the social economy can promote individual skills while meeting collective needs. Through their work, they actively contribute to the social and economic inclusion of migrant communities.
The UNIVERBAL service has two fundamental objectives: on the one hand, it promotes the language skills of migrants by offering them employment opportunities in a structured and supportive environment; on the other hand, it facilitates access to essential services for non-native speakers, ensuring a clear understanding of their rights and obligations. These two dimensions reinforce each other, making this service a pillar of inclusion and equity.
The operation of the UNIVERBAL service is closely linked to the formation Univerbal, which prepares interpreters to work in demanding contexts, such as medical consultations, court hearings, or social interviews. This training includes modules on interpreting techniques, professional ethics, and sector-specific terminology. In addition, psychological supervision sessions are organized to enable interpreters to manage the emotional challenges associated with their work and maintain a high level of quality.
Beyond language mediation, the UNIVERBAL service embodies a vision of the social economy where interpreters are not only service providers, but also agents of change. By actively participating in the governance of the project, they contribute to improving practices, strengthening group cohesion, and promoting a supportive and collaborative approach.
Each intervention by the UNIVERBAL service is an opportunity to build bridges between communities, reduce language barriers, and strengthen social cohesion. This service perfectly illustrates how the social and solidarity economy can be a powerful tool for promoting inclusion, while responding to concrete and urgent needs.
More information on our website https://univerbal.be/service/
Find information about our training program on the dedicated page Formation Univerbal
The UNIVERBAL interpreting service is structured around several concrete objectives, reinforced by the continuous training of its interpreters:
- Ensuring high-quality language mediation:
- Provide competent and trained interpreters who are capable of working in sensitive contexts (health, justice, social services).
- Ensure accurate and appropriate communication between professionals and non-native speakers.
- Strengthening professional skills:
- Integrate Univerbal training into the interpreters’ curriculum, with a focus on specific terminology and interpreting techniques.
- Offer supervision sessions to support interpreters’ well-being and improve their professional practice.
- Facilitating access to rights and services:
- Helping non-native speakers understand their rights and obligations, particularly in complex administrative or legal contexts.
- Contribute to greater social inclusion by reducing language barriers.
- Promoting the skills of interpreters:
- Offer rewarding job opportunities within the social economy.
- Create a collaborative environment where interpreters actively participate in project governance.
By linking training and practice, the UNIVERBAL service is a model of effective language mediation, while promoting social inclusion and recognition of interpreters’ skills.
