IIW 2018 Annual Report

HERE AND THERE Working Group Regional Activities

Simultaneously, in keeping with this theme of appreciation and growth of our industry, it is also integral to pay homage to those that have paved the path for today’s young professionals which is why I am encouraging the veterans of IIW to wel- come these young professionals into their midst and coach them on their path to success. I am sure that more young professionals will become actively involved in the various Commissions and Working Units, and become future leaders of IIW. Associated Events Committee members ❂ India: Parimal Biswas ❂ Indonesia: Iwan Sutanto ❂ Finland: Jouko Lassila ❂ USA: David Landon ❂ Germany: Hans Gross – WG-RA Vice Chair ❂ Canada: Dan Tadic – WG-RA Chair

Mr Dan Tadic (Canada) Working Group Regional Activities Chair

The WG-RA is very grateful for broad-based sup- port received from IIW Member Countries. This is made evident by a high number of attendees at the winter and Annual Assembly meetings. It is our intent to encourage Member Countries to organise regional events that promote educa- tion, networking, research and technological ad- vancements in global welding communities. The WG-RA will work with and support countries that need an introduction to and guidance in learning about welding education, training, qualification and certification programmes wherever possible. The WG-RA also recently established an Asso- ciated Events Committee (AEC). I am very grate- ful for the AEC committee members’ support and efforts in helping us increase the sharing of welding knowledge around the world through va- rious events and activities. The AEC is responsible for reviewing and eva- luating applications for IIW support of other welding-related events around the world and ad- vising the WG-RA whether proposals are in ac- cordance with IIW strategy. Applicants that meet the criteria requirements are forwarded to the IIW Board of Directors for final approval. Approved IIW and associated events for the year 2019: •Thailand: 8th Asia Pacific IIW International Congress (IIWAP2019): Bangkok March 20-22 •France: IIW International Congress on Welding, Additive Manufacturing (ICWAM): Metz June 5-7 •Hungary: Young welding Professionals Inter- national Conference (YPIC2019): Budapest July 4-6 •Belgium: 6th International Conference on Scientific and Technical Advances on Friction Stir Welding & Processing (FSWP2019): Lou- vain-la-Neuve September 11-13 •Singapore: 17th International Symposium on Tubular Structures (ISTS17): December 9-12 As the old adage goes, ‘Youth is our future’, ma- king the Young welding Professionals Confe- rence in Budapest a notable event due to its commitment to future welding professionals.

The WG-RA remains committed to encouraging countries to develop their National Welding Ca- pability to ensure that the necessary: • research and development; • technology diffusion; • education, training, qualification and certification; • local and international networks; • cultures; • image of welding; and • levels of funding are in place on an ongoing basis to support qua- lity of life in their country. Through our collaborative efforts, we will find en- dless success in advancing the welding arts and sciences on a global scale.

18 IIW ANNUAL REPORT 2018