This chapter examines the Cultural dialogue via interpreters project, which seeks to utilize public service interpreters’ professional experiences as a valuable societal resource. These interpreters’ encounters within public services provide insights into operational dynamics, linguistic power imbalances, discrimination, and racism. While interpreters are not responsible for resolving these issues, their perspectives can contribute to transformative change through engagement with professionals, policymakers, and clients. Unfortunately, interpreters’ experiences often go unheard, as they are not seen as professional partners in inter-professional exchanges, and rarely consulted by the media or involved in public investigations.

To address this, the project trained 12 interpreters to deliver lectures on their experiences and expertise to public service providers and migrants in Swedish language classes. The challenge was to make interpreters’ knowledge explicit and tangible while upholding their professional obligations and ethical codes. The lectures were developed collaboratively with representatives from Swedish interpreting institutions and the public service sector (including education, health care, and social services).

This chapter outlines the pathway for interpreters giving lectures and analyzes the controversies arising from conflicting expectations between stakeholder groups, exploring the tension between intercultural mediation and protectionism. The results highlight the invaluable nature of public service interpreters’ unique expertise.