1. A method for constructing a cross-lingual information extraction program, the method comprising: utilizing at least one processor to execute computer code that performs the steps of: constructing a plurality of language-specific representations from text expressed in a plurality of languages by parsing the text of each language using a language-specific semantic parser; mapping the plurality of language-specific representations to a single cross-lingual semantic representation, wherein the cross-lingual semantic representation encompasses the plurality of languages, wherein the cross-lingual semantic representation comprises a graphical representation that identifies the semantic relationship between words contained within a text without regard for language of the text and comprises semantic and syntactic components; constructing the cross-lingual information extraction program based on the cross-lingual semantic representation, wherein the cross-lingual information extraction program comprises a set of rules created from the cross-lingual semantic representation; and extracting structured information from texts in a language using the constructed cross-lingual information extraction program.