META-NET is a Network of Excellence dedicated to fostering the technological foundations of a multilingual European information society. Language Technologies will:

• enable communication and cooperation across languages,
• secure users of any language equal access to information and knowledge,
• build upon and advance functionalities of networked information technology.

A concerted, substantial, continent-wide effort in language technology research and engineering is needed for realising applications that enable automatic translation, multilingual information and knowledge management and content production across all European languages. This effort will also enhance the development of intuitive language-based interfaces to technology ranging from household electronics, machinery and vehicles to computers and robots.

To this end META-NET is building the Multilingual Europe Technology Alliance (META). Bringing together researchers, commercial technology providers, private and corporate language technology users, language professionals and other information society stakeholders. META will prepare the necessary ambitious joint effort towards furthering language technologies as a means towards realising the vision of a Europe united as one single digital market and information space.