Buenos Aires · 27–29 September 2023
Connecting cultures:
clear communication to build bridges
In September 2023, the global plain language community came together in Buenos Aires for three inspiring days of learning, sharing, and connection.
Hello everyone,
I’m Lodewijk van Noort, member of the conference committee of PLAIN in 2023.
PLAIN 2023 in Buenos Aires was a remarkable three-day journey, bringing together our global community to share ideas, learn from each other, and build lasting connections. Over the course of the conference, we explored how plain language can truly connect cultures and build bridges.
By Lodewijk van Noort
Conference Organiser, PLAIN (2023)
Day 1 focused on global perspectives, with inspiring keynotes and discussions on how plain language strengthens democracy, access to justice, and public trust.
Day 2 showed us how this works in practice, with real-world examples—from artificial intelligence and legal design to health communication and multilingual challenges.
Day 3 looked ahead, exploring the future of our field: certification, training, and the growing international collaboration that will shape the next phase of plain language.
What made these days so special was not only the knowledge shared, but the energy in the room. People from across the world meeting, exchanging ideas, and learning from each other. To capture that experience, we created a daily conference podcast, with reflections, interviews, and highlights from each day. And through the PLAIN e‑Journal, we are continuing the conversation beyond the conference.
PLAIN 2023 reminded us that clear communication is not just a skill, it is essential for inclusion, trust, and democracy. I invite you to explore the highlights, programme, and insights from Buenos Aires and to carry them forward in your own work.
About the conference
PLAIN 2023 brought together 250 participants from 21 countries to explore how clear communication can connect cultures and strengthen societies.
Hosted by:
- University of Buenos Aires – Faculty of Law
- Observatorio de Lenguaje Claro
- Plain Language Association International (PLAIN)
The conference theme:
Connecting cultures: clear communication to build bridges
The event highlighted global developments, with a strong focus on Latin America, where plain language is rapidly growing in government and the judiciary.
Highlights
Programme overview
Keynote speakers
PLAIN Awards 2023
Full programme
Explore the full programme of PLAIN 2023: three days of keynotes, parallel sessions, and global exchange on clear communication.
09:00 – Opening session
Welcome by:
- University of Buenos Aires (Faculty of Law)
- Observatorio de Lenguaje Claro
- Plain Language Association International (PLAIN)
Keynote
Estrella Montolío (Spain)
From Idea to Impact: Innovation in Clear Communication for Empathetic Governance
Parallel sessions
Track 1: Experiences in Latin America
- Strengthening democratic institutions through plain language
- Improving judicial communication across the region
- Transparency and citizen communication
Track 2: Argentine Judicial Initiatives
- Plain language in courts and prosecution
- Training legal professionals
- Implementing clear communication policies
Global panel
Approaches to plain language worldwide
Speakers from Argentina, Spain, Australia and the United States
Afternoon sessions
Topics included:
- Plain language in tax systems and public administration
- Expert use of plain language in legal contexts
- ISO standard and professionalisation
- Inclusion, accessibility, and citizen communication
Keynotes
- Michael Blasie (USA) – International plain language law
- Martín Böhmer (Argentina) & Cheryl Thomas (UK) – Skills, legitimacy and justice
Keynote
Lorena Tula del Moral (Argentina)
From clear language to clear communication: bringing the law closer to citizens
Parallel sessions
Track 1: AI and technology
- AI tools for writing and evaluation
- Plain language assessment methods
- Innovation in government communication
Track 2: Case studies
- Judicial and administrative communication
- Institutional communication improvement
- Real-world implementation challenges
Midday sessions
Legal design
- Accessibility through design
- Human-centred legal communication
Health communication
- Plain language in healthcare
- Informed consent and public health communication
Translation and multilingual communication
- Bridging languages and cultures
- Challenges in legal translation
Afternoon sessions
Topics included:
- Public administration communication
- Easy-to-read and inclusion
- Digital tools and glossaries
Keynotes
- Helena Haapio (Finland) – Human-readable vs lawyer-readable communication
- Christopher Balmford, Annetta Cheek & Angelika Vaasa – ISO 24495-1: the global plain language standard
Evening programme
- Networking cocktail
- PLAIN Awards ceremony
Keynote
Heloisa Fischer (Brazil)
Plain language in public communication and education
Parallel sessions
Track 1: Inclusion and gender perspectives
- Inclusive language in public administration
- Health communication and equity
Track 2: Multidisciplinary approaches
- Organisational implementation
- Strategic communication
Track 3: The future of the field
- Certification and training
- Resources for professionals
- International collaboration
Keynote
Karin Hansson (Sweden)
50 years of plain language: lessons and progress
Closing session
Final reflections from:
- University of Buenos Aires
- Argentine public institutions
- PLAIN leadership
Programme themes
Across all three days, the programme explored:
- Plain language in democracy and justice
- Access to justice and the right to understand
- Artificial intelligence and communication
- Legal design and user-centred approaches
- Multilingual communication and translation
- Public administration and policy
- Certification, training, and professionalisation
Interactive elements
The programme also included:
- Poster sessions
- Lightning talks
- Networking moments
- Daily podcast recordings with speakers and participants
With more than 100 sessions and speakers, PLAIN 2023 offered a rich and diverse programme that reflected the global growth of the plain language movement, especially in Latin America.
