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LINKING PEOPLE, JOINING NATIONS
the exchange of international welders. The intention was to hold the event every even year
in Beijing and at other venues every other year in participating countries.
Since its inception, the ‘Arc Cup’ has become a platform for international welding
and technology and has increased the development and recognition of welding skills in the
countries involved in the organisation of the competition (China, Austria, Bulgaria, Czech
Republic, Germany, Indonesia, Korea, Mongolia, Romania, Singapore, USA, UK and
Ireland). Over 285 welders from 25 countries, including Chinese national enterprises and
vocational schools, took part in the ‘Arc Cup’ in 2014.
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The event was to gain even further
international status as a result of its success and is destined to play an even more important
role with the decision, made in Helsinki in 2015, for IIW to support the next scheduled
event in Beijing in 2016, with further support in 2017 when the ‘Arc Cup’ will be held in
conjunction with the 70th IIWAnnual Assembly in Shanghai, 25-30 June 2017.
With respect to regional activities, the business of attracting young engineers from
around the world to the ranks of IIW has been a common cause and was frequently raised
in discussion at Annual Assemblies. Dr Baldev Raj (India), for instance, was a devout
enthusiast of supporting young people to attend IIW International Congresses and associated
events during his period as President 2011-2014. As a result it has become an important
Activities at the successful third ‘Arc Cup’ International Welding
Competition, Beijing, China, 2014