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Improving Global Quality of Life
Through Optimum Use and Innovation of Welding and Joining Technologies
Short, medium and
long-term strategic
agendas of the world
of welding and joining
technology
0.
10.1
Objectives of Strategic Agendas (SAs)
The International Institute of Welding through this White Paper is providing short, medium, and long-term
strategic agendas (SA) related to the technological and societal needs of the welding and related industries.
Consequently, the resultant challenges, trends and effects should be considered in various time-scales to
suit different countries and regions of the world.
Due to the complex nature of the items and their wide-range of areas, the following sections give SAs under
general technological and societal headings.
10.2
Short-term Strategic Agendas
IIW has 56 member countries representing more than 80% of the world’s GDP. Its strategies could also
apply to non-IIW members as well.
The key to improving the global quality of life is ensuring the integrity and reliability of welded
products whether an energy-producing plant, bridge, pipeline carrying water to an African village
or artificial heart. Conformity Assessment or compliance of the product to standards, codes or
specification is therefore a key issue requiring immediate attention. IIW will guide industry on this.
Culture defined as “a way of life or life style summarised in a system of particular values and
attitudes which result in characteristic actions and customs” will determine the success of the
application of welding technology in a community. Successful strategies to inculcate cultures
of quality, workplace health and safety (WHS), environment, skills, ethics, morality, corporate
governance and product compliance into people, companies and authorities in all countries are
critical, and will be promoted by IIW.
IIW will continue introducing its personnel Education, Training, Qualification and Certification
(
ETQC) programmes and company certification programmes into all countries based on companies
having a welding coordination team linked to quality, WHS and environment.
