Plain Language Centre and cooperation in field
The Plain Language Centre has been in operation in Finland since 2000. The center promotes plain language culture and the provision of plain language information.
Its functions are
• to publish Selkouutiset (the Plain Language News) and LL-Bladet newspapers and to edit the Internet pages in plain language;
• to promote easy-to-read literature; to distribute the state support.
• to produce plain language services and to carry out projects of tuition, education and information related to plain language;
• to serve as a channel of cooperation and information exchange in the field.
The Plain Language Centre makes initiatives and creates new ideas of application for plain language. The Centre is an organ subordinate to the activity of the Finnish Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, FAIDD, but it serves all people and groups interested in plain language.
The Plain Language Centre takes part in the planning and implementation of plain language education. Courses to the effect are organized every year and the Plain Language Centre sources trainers for different events. It promotes research on plain language and gives practical advise on the writing and editing of plain language text. The Centre also provides services to businesses.
The Plain Language Centre participates in cooperation to promote plain language both domestically and in a wider European context. The Centre is supported by the Advisory Committee on Plain Language with representatives from 30 communities in the field, including 14 social welfare organizations. The Advisory Committee follows development in the field and especially endeavours to promote the provision of plain language information.
The common language Internet pages of the Plain Language Centre are available at www.papunet.net/selkokeskus/. The pages include guidelines for writing and information on the support system for plain language books.