Localizing WHO’s Human Rights E-Learning Program

VEQTA Translations was selected to support this initiative, providing end-to-end localization services for a complex, content-heavy training program tied closely to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). 

Project Background 

The project centered on the localization of a structured e-Learning courses  made in Articulate Storyline focused on human rights law and its application in healthcare. The program consisted of six in-depth modules designed for professional training and institutional use. 

VEQTA Translations was tasked with translating and editing approximately 140,000 words of instructional e-Learning courses from English into Bahasa Malay, while also localizing around 120 training videos. The multimedia scope required precise video subtitling, accurate time-coding, and careful synchronization with on-screen content. Given the educational and legal nature of the material, clarity and terminological precision were non-negotiable. 

This was not a one-off translation exercise. The content was intended for long-term use across healthcare systems, making consistency and maintainability a critical requirement. 

Key Challenges 

One of the main challenges lay in the integration of legacy translations. WHO already had existing translated materials in circulation, and the new content needed to align seamlessly with those earlier versions. Any inconsistency in terminology or phrasing risked undermining the credibility of the training and creating confusion for learners. 

In addition, the subject matter itself demanded careful handling. Human rights law, particularly in a healthcare context, relies on established legal concepts and standardized language. Even minor deviations could alter meaning or introduce ambiguity. This placed added pressure on both linguistic accuracy and internal consistency across modules, videos, and supporting materials. 

Solution and Localization Approach 

• To address these challenges, VEQTA assigned a dedicated Localization Project Manager and a localization engineer to design a workflow centered on  translation memory governance and legacy translation alignment against the new source.  

• Using SDL Trados file management platform and CAT Tool, we built a project-specific translation memory. 

A key step in this process was translation alignment. Our team aligned the legacy translations with the new source content, segment by segment, ensuring that previously approved language was reused wherever applicable. This allowed us to preserve institutional terminology while maintaining a coherent voice across newly translated modules. 
 

• We then extracted key terminology and populated in a bilingual termbase and glossary tailored to WHO’s existing linguistic assets that was used during the translation process and to be retained and used for future translation needs.  
  This practice is part of best localization practices as recommended by the Globalization and Localization Association (GALA) and VEQTA’s localization Governance. 
   

• For the video components, subtitling workflows were closely coordinated with the linguistic team. Time-codes were checked against spoken content, and subtitles were reviewed not only for linguistic accuracy but also for readability and pacing. This ensured that healthcare professionals could comfortably follow the material in a training environment. 

Throughout the project, quality assurance checks focused on terminology consistency, legal accuracy, and instructional clarity—key factors in NGO translation projects where content is often reused, updated, and redistributed over time. 

Results and Impact 

The final delivery met WHO’s technical and linguistic requirements across all formats. The localized e-learning program provided healthcare professionals with clear, culturally appropriate access to human rights training, while remaining fully aligned with existing materials and international standards. 

By establishing a robust translation memory and structured localization workflow, the project also created a foundation for future updates and expansions. WHO gained a scalable, maintainable multilingual asset that supports its broader mission in public health education and human rights advocacy. 

The result was a successful deployment of a complex NGO e-learning localization project—delivered on time, consistent in terminology, and ready for global rollout. 

Do you have a similar project that requires localization? Get in touch today!