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NEWS FROM EXCOM
From the 8-12 ExCom meeting in Brussels, we highlight the following issues :
TOR's for new Working Groups
ExCom calls on all National Sections to speed up registration of new WG-members. Too much time is lost between the approval of TOR's and the kick-off meeting of a new Working Group. ExCom asks that National Sections would communicate the names of interested members to the General Secretariat much more rapidly.
A new Working Group on "Small Island Ports" is initiated at the initiative of CoCom and our sister association IAPH. CoCom will draft the Terms of Reference. PIANC members who want to joint the WG-proceedings, are invited to give their name to CoCom chairman jfkapp@entech.co.za.
At the initiative of InCom chairman Christian Jamet, ExCom approves the TOR's of a new WG 28 on "Development of automations and remote controls of river works (dams, locks, mobile bridges)." The WG will update findings of the former InCom WG's 8 and 18. PIANC members who are interested to join this WG, are asked to give their names to InCom chairman Christian.jamet@vnf.fr.
International exposure
In line with the Policy Statement of PIANC President, Eric Van den Eede, at the time of his re-election in Bergen, Norway, it is decided that PIANC will strengthen relations with international institutions and non-governmental associations. A list with possible contacts will be established. In particular, ExCom discussed closer co-operation with CCNR, following a meeting of the PIANC-President with CCNR officials in November 2003.
Young Professionals
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Introduced by VP Hartmut Brühl (picture), the "facilitator" for YP-contacts, Holger Schüttrumpf gave a presentation of the Young Professionals Implementation Group till today. Actions are identified and prioritised and suggestions are launched for better marketing our association, for enhanced attraction of new members, and for improvement of PIANC publications. A detailed timetable is agreed on, and a commitment is made for further contact with ExCom by mid-2004. |
Publication Policy
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A comprehensive review of all PIANC publications is underway, in particular with respect to the Bulletin. Besides the creation of a new lay-out, it was considered to turn the Bulletin into a Magazine - combining news items of the current Newsletter and a selection of articles. However, articles that will be published in the future, must be more focused on news related issues. In this respect, a network of correspondents will be organised among National Sections and Commissions, whose members will actively contribute to input for the Bulletin/Magazine. In the process, composition of EdCom will be reconsidered as well. Since this is the third time that Publications Policy is on the ExCom agenda, it was felt that it is time to conclude. An enlarged EdCom meeting will have a new brainstorming on the subject during its 4-2 session in Brussels, after which EdCom chairman Pietro Baratono (picture) will report back to ExCom on 6-2. Final documents will then be prepared for approval in Fukuoka, allowing for a relaunch of the Bulletin as from January 2005. |
Bergen resolution
According to several remarks made in ExCom, the PIANC resolution that was approved in Bergen, Norway ("The Waterway is the Better Way") has been well received in the National Sections and with the public at large. Several National Sections, including the Czech Republic, UK, Germany, France, Belgium, Netherlands, found the resolution useful or were able to have it published in their national media. In the past weeks, a full page coverage of the Resolution, published in the British "Civil Engineering" Journal, was received at the General Secretariat. In the meantime, the resolution has been modified into a "Declaration", signed in common by PIANC, IAPH, AAPA and ESPO. A letter introducing the joint Declaration will be sent by the General Secretariat to governments and media.
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