IIW History 1990-2015

Granjon was to enlarge on these proposals. ‘The extension of the list of member countries of IIW all over the world led the Governing Council in 1986 to lay the foundation of a “regional” structure making possible coordination on a wider scale and more active participation in the development of welding within the framework of regions containing several member countries – and future members – which are defined primarily as a function of geographical and linguistic considerations, rather than politics or economics. Preparations are presently being made to set up “Regional Technical Commissions” which in liaison with parent Commissions, and if necessary with the support of Sub-Commissions, will make their own contribution to the work. The organisation of “Regional IIW Congresses” is also envisaged; these will be organised in accordance with their own procedures.’ 4 Conscious of the cost involved in the development of regional interest groups the Secretary General of IIW, Mr John Hicks, was quick to explain the role of IIW with respect to financial support. He was to indicate that ‘… it is hoped that the authority of IIW will enable countries in the need of funds to make approaches to international agencies to ensure that they can implement the appropriate scheme’. 5 However little was done to build relationships with UNIDO at first. In this respect a deputation consisting of the IIW President at that time, Mr Raül Timerman (Argentina), Hicks and Smallbone representing the IIW regional working group, now known as the Working Group Regional Activities and Liaison with Developing Countries (WG-RA), visited UNIDO in 1994 to discuss possible means of collaboration in the funding of developing countries, particularly on the basis of supporting bilateral projects such as the IIW proposed qualification scheme. 6 This visit was quite successful with UNIDO expressing interest in assisting IIW in developing proposals and also in entering into a cooperative agreement in transferring welding technology to countries in Africa. In doing so the Director General of UNIDO, Mr Mauricio de Mario y Campos, said that ‘given the international importance of IIW in all welding activities, not the least the establishment of the relevant ISO standards, and for the certification of welders and welding inspectors, I am confident that the above arrangement could make a very important contribution to the progress of welding in the developing countries of Africa’. 7 A proposal aimed at uplifting welding technology in selected countries on the African continent was subsequently prepared and submitted for funding through sponsorship with UNIDO for implementation in July 1994. 8 Unfortunately, this promising development did not go ahead but later was a forerunner to efforts to provide funding to countries in south-east Europe and elsewhere. The first regional IIW International Congress in 1988 was an unmitigated success. It was held in the historic colonial port of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia and attracted some 300 participants from 34 countries, eight of which were non-member developing countries

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