132 / 234
EMERGING NATIONS
w
elding contributes positively to all human
endeavours and the quality of life of all nations. It does this in numerous
ways, whether through creating power for lighting and cooking; potable water and safe
sanitation; national infrastructure; efficient and effective transportation; accommodation,
both for living and working; a multitude of machines for different industrial applications;
medical, health and safety devices; or by many other ways. Nowhere is this more apparent
than in developing countries or emerging nations where the provision of basic infrastructure
and services is critical to the well-being of millions of people.¹
In its earlier years IIW did not focus on the needs of developing nations
to any real extent until the 1980s at least. Arising out of an initiative of an
Indian Vice-President, Mr Arumugham, in 1981, it was reported that the
Executive Council had formed a Working Group
Liaisons with Developing
Countries and Non-Member Countries
and that, via the UITA, contact had
been established with UNIDO, the intention being to assist this body with
its programmes, in particular the training of engineers and the exchange of
information.² These contacts had been facilitated through the election of Mr
Henry Granjon as interim President of the UITA in 1983/84 and developed
rapidly when the IIW made, what could be called, a change in direction
when the Executive Council created a new class of ‘associate-member’ to
make possible the participation of bodies ineligible for full membership in
non-member countries.
A significant challenge facing IIW was the tyranny of distance from certain regions
that precluded their greater involvement in IIW activities, particularly those involving
attendance at, or hosting of, IIW Annual Assemblies. In light of this a meeting was held
between the IIW President Dr Felix Wallner (Austria), and Dr Irving Oehler (USA), Mr
James Bowler (Australia), MrMarioAgostino Cenni (Brazil) andMr Chris Smallbone (South
Africa). The significant outcome was proposals for the holding of regional congresses and the
setting up of regional structures to allow neighbouring countries to collaborate and to have
joint representation on IIW’s Working Units. Such structures would facilitate the holding
of regional congresses, the first of which was proposed to be held in Australia in 1988.³