IIW History 1990-2015

differing structures and interests of the Member Societies, I am now unable to lead the implementation of some of the major improvements in the administration and functions of IIW that such understanding would have brought.’ He continued by saying, ‘You will know that the role of the Secretary General and one of the Scientific and Technical Secretary were complementary and one had no authority over the other. In this situation it would be easy for the business to be unmanageable. However, in Michel Bramat, I found a colleague and in time a friend I could work easily with and with a shared view of where IIW should go. I ask you, in the coming year, to recognise the immense change which will have been wrought in the organisation and to be tolerant of the inevitable problems.’ 31 It was decided by resolution that Hicks would hold the title of Honorary Secretary General for one year during which time he would assist in the transition between TWI and the Institut de Soudure. The corks popped and the champagne flowed in Bramat’s hotel room that night and the staff of the Institut de Soudure celebrated in true French fashion until the early hours of the next morning. Evrard recalled ‘I remember to have crossed one of the UK delegates on the stairs and he suddenly issued … “You must be happy now”. I retorted, “Yes we are!”’ 32

  1. Welding in the World , vol. 28, no. 11/12, pp. 202-203 – 1990.  2. Memorandum to IIW Executive Council – Item 24 – Montreal, Canada – March 16/17 1990.  3. Barnett, David, Lighting the Flame – The Story of Welding in Australia, Chapter 30 – The Devil’s Advocate Welding Technology Institute of Australia, Sydney, 2014.  4. Boyd, P. D., ‘Adapting to Change’, Joining Nations – A History of the International Institute of Welding 1947-1990, 1993, ch. 7, p.50.  5. Eaton, Norman – Response to ‘History of IIW 1990-2015’ Questionnaire.  6. Memorandum to IIW Executive Council – Montreal, Canada – March 16/17 1990.  7. ‘Restoring the Environment’, Welding in the World, vol. 28, no. 7/8, pp.157-158 – 1990.

ENDNOTES

 8. TG-HIST Documents ‘IIW from 1990 to now’ – 1991.  9. IIW Corporate Plan Revision 1 – 1994 – SG-1648-94. 10. ibid. 11. Minutes, Governing Council – 11 June 1995 – SG-1745-95.

12. Hicks, J. G., ‘Editorial’, Welding in the World , vol. 29, no. 11/12, pp. 324/5 – 1991. 13. Bramat, Michel – Response submitted via Cécile Mayer – 28 September 2016. 14. Bramat Michel – ‘Future Prospects and Evolution of IIW’ – SST-1156-89 –1989. 15. Final Report of the Working Group Strategic Planning – SG-1502-92 – 1992. 16. Eaton, Norman – Response to TG-HIST Questionnaire. 17. Ziegenfuss, Glenn – Interview – Melbourne, Australia – 11/12 July 2016.

TOWARDS 2000