WASLI Asia is part of the international organization, the World Association of Sign Language Interpreters (WASLI), with a focus on the Asian region. The organization was established in 2005 in South Africa to support and develop the profession of sign language interpreters (SLIs) in various countries, including those in Asia.
The foundation for WASLI Asia was laid as early as 1975, when efforts began to call for an international organization of sign language interpreters. Significant progress was made in 1999 during the World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) in Brisbane, Australia, where 150 sign language interpreters agreed to form a working group to establish such an organization. This working group continued its efforts and reported on its progress at the World Sign Language Interpreters Symposium in Washington D.C., USA, in 2002.
In 2003, a pivotal gathering took place in Canada, where 60 sign language interpreters from 20 countries committed to forming WASLI, an event witnessed by WFD officials. This momentum led to the first WASLI Conference, held from October 31 to November 2, 2005, in Worcester, South Africa. During this conference, WASLI was officially established with the participation of over 240 delegates from 39 countries. Among the attendees were sign language interpreters from Asia, who engaged in discussions that resulted in the election of Ms. Emiko Ichikawa, President of NRASLI, as the first regional representative for Asia.
The development of WASLI Asia (2006-present) involved several key milestones:
• 2006: The first Meeting of Sign Language Interpreters in Asia was held in Macau, with 16 participants from 8 countries and 2 regions, and 2 observers.
• 2007-2010: Subsequent meetings were held in various Asian countries, including Nepal, South Korea, and the Philippines, with increasing participation from SLIs across the region.
• 2011: The third WASLI Conference in Durban, South Africa, included an Asia regional meeting, where two regional representatives were appointed: Ms. Monica Punjabi from India and Ms. Etsuko Umemoto from Japan.
• 2012-2016: Regular meetings continued across Asia, further strengthening the network and cooperation among SLIs. A significant meeting was held in Singapore in 2016, with participation from 13 countries and 2 regions.
• 2018-2021: The region saw more specialized training sessions, including the International Sign Interpreters Training in Macau and workshops held in Bangkok, Thailand, and via Zoom during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• 2023: A historic milestone was reached when the 6th WASLI Conference was held in Jeju Island, South Korea, marking the first time the conference was hosted in Asia. During the WASLI General Assembly, three regional representatives were elected to represent Asia: Mr. Anthony Chong (Deaf: Malaysia), Ms. Megumi Kawakami (Deaf: Japan), and Ms. Noriko Miyazawa (Hearing: Japan). In addition, during the Asian Regional Meeting, a new leadership structure was established to further strengthen cooperation and development within the vast Asian region. This structure includes a core team consisting of three representatives, each representing the northern, southern, and southeastern regions of Asia. This core team was created to enhance collaboration and development efforts across the diverse and expansive Asian continent.
WASLI Asia continues to play a significant role in supporting the profession of SLIs in Asia through various activities and collaborations, adapting to the needs of SLIs in the era of globalization. The organization is committed to building cooperation among Asian countries, providing training and capacity building, and actively participating in international activities related to sign language interpretation.
Notes on the History of WASLI
1975: Initial moves began to call for an international organization of sign language interpreters.
1999: At the World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) in Brisbane, Australia, 150 sign language interpreters agreed to establish a working group to create an international organization.
2002: The working group reported its progress at the World Sign Language Interpreters Symposium in Washington D.C., USA.
2003: A significant gathering of 60 sign language interpreters from 20 countries in Canada led to a commitment to form WASLI, an event witnessed by WFD officials.
2004: An Asian Sign Language Interpreters Network meeting was called during the WFD RSA/P Representatives Meeting in Indonesia.
2005: An Asian Sign Language Interpreters Network meeting was held during the WFD RSA/P Representatives Meeting in Shanghai, China.
2005: The first WASLI Conference was held from October 31 to November 2 in Worcester, South Africa, with over 240 delegates from 39 countries. During this conference, Ms. Emiko Ichikawa was elected as the first regional representative for Asia.
2006: The first Meeting of Sign Language Interpreters in Asia took place in Macau, with 16 participants from 8 countries and 2 regions, and 2 observers.
2007: The second WASLI Conference was held in Segovia, Spain.
2008: The second Meeting of Sign Language Interpreters in Asia was held in Pokhara, Nepal, with 10 participants from 5 countries and 8 observers.
2009: The third Meeting of Sign Language Interpreters in Asia was held in Gyeongju, South Korea, with 17 participants from 7 countries and 2 regions, and 30 observers.
2010: The fourth Meeting of Sign Language Interpreters in Asia took place in Tagaytay, Philippines, with 12 participants from 6 countries and 2 regions, and 10 observers.
2011: The third WASLI Conference was held in Durban, South Africa, including an Asia regional meeting.
2011: Two Asian regional representatives were appointed in October: Ms. Monica Punjabi (India) and Ms. Etsuko Umemoto (Japan).
2012: The fifth Meeting of Sign Language Interpreters in Asia was held in Hong Kong, with 16 participants from 6 countries and 2 regions.
2014: The sixth Meeting of Sign Language Interpreters in Asia took place in Macau, with 18 participants from 9 countries and 2 regions, and 16 observers.
2015: The fourth WASLI Conference was held in Istanbul, Turkey, with an Asia regional meeting.
2015: The regional representative for Asia was reverted to a single member: Ms. Etsuko Umemoto (Japan).
2016: The seventh Meeting of Sign Language Interpreters in Asia was held in Singapore, with 25 participants from 13 countries and 2 regions, and 10-15 observers.
2018: An International Sign Interpreters Training was held in Macau from May 11-13, with 30 participants from 9 countries and 2 regions.
2018: The eighth Meeting of Sign Language Interpreters in Asia took place in Bangkok, Thailand, from December 10-17, with 22 participants from 7 countries and 1 region, and 4 observers.
2019: The fifth WASLI Conference was held in Paris, France, with an Asian regional meeting during the Conference.
2019: The regional representative for Asia was replaced by Ms. Noriko Miyazawa from Ms. Etsuko Umemoto.
2019: An ISIT 2019 CRPD & SDGs Training was held in Kobe, Japan, on December 21-22, with 19 participants (14 deaf and 5 hearing).
2020: Ms. Megumi Kawakami was appointed as WASLI Asia Regional Deaf Interpreter Adviser.
2021: In June 21, the WFD RSA X WASLI-ASIA Event 2021 was held via Zoom.
2021: In December 12, the WASLI Asian International Sign Language Training took place via Zoom.
2021: In December 18, the WASLI Asia case study workshop was held via Zoom.
2022: In April 19, WASLI Asia attended the 34th WFD RSA Representatives Meeting and reported on its activities.
2022: In September 3, the WASLI Asia DI Workshop was conducted via Zoom.
2023: In January 28, the second WFDRSA & WASLI ASIA Event 2023 was held via Zoom.
2023: In July, the sixth WASLI Conference was held in Jeju Island, South Korea, marking the first time the conference was hosted in Asia. An Asia Regional Meeting during the conference confirmed the establishment of a cooperative system for the development of Asia, with one core member from each of the three regions in Asia. Three regional representatives were elected at the WASLI General Assembly: Dr. Anthony Chong (Deaf: Malaysia), Ms. Megumi Kawakami (Deaf: Japan), and Ms. Noriko Miyazawa (Hearing: Japan). A core team was also established, consisting of representatives from the northern, southern, and southeastern regions of Asia, to enhance cooperation and development within the region.
2024: In 2024, the WASLI Asia Sign Language Interpreters Meeting took place from August 15-18 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
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