Over 700 members in 16 countries
The German Association of Conference Interpreters, known by its German abbreviation VKD, is a member association of the German Federal Association of Interpreters and Translators (BDÜ). With over 7,500 members, the BDÜ is the largest professional association of interpreters and translators in Germany.
The VKD was founded in 2003 and currently has over 700 members in Germany and 15 other countries. VKD members collectively offer over 30 working languages.
Our objectives
- Advising clients
- Offering CPD for members
- Encouraging professional debate
- Supporting recently qualified conference interpreters
- Promoting the profession in the media
- Liaising with universities and colleges
Our prime objective: Quality assurance
As Germany’s largest association of conference interpreters, our mission is to represent the interests of our members before international bodies, associations and the wider public.
In Germany, the conference interpreting profession is not protected by formal requirements. In other words, no formal qualifications are necessary to work as a ‘conference interpreter’ or ‘interpreter ’. Potential clients are hence unable to recognise at first glance whether they are dealing with genuinely professional, qualified interpreters or not. Clients may sustain negative experiences because of insufficiently trained and unprofessional interpreters, which impacts negatively on the reputation of the professional community and weakens confidence in the work and role of conference interpreters.
Against this backdrop, the VKD serves as a source of guidance for potential clients who are looking for qualified, professional conference interpreters.
The VKD represents the community of qualified conference interpreters. All applicants undergo a thorough admission process and, once accepted, pledge to observe our Professional Code of Ethics.
We offer a comprehensive programme of CPD courses, thus ensuring that our members remain well-trained. Clients who contract VKD members can rest assured that their multilingual event will be a success.
VKD database of interpreters
Our database of conference interpreters lists all members of the VKD as well as their language combinations, areas of specialisation and contact details. Potential clients are invited to use the database to find the right team of qualified professional interpreters for their event.
It is also used by consultant interpreters seeking to recruit colleagues on behalf of their clients.
Should you have any questions about the German Association of Conference Interpreters (VKD) or our affiliation with the Federal Association of Interpreters and Translators (BDÜ), please contact our Press and Public Relations officers, who will be happy to help.
