IECA Makes Strides Toward Greater International Development
Since my last column to you, international development (ID) has progressed in a number of areas. No doubt by the time this article goes to press this column will already be out of date.
International Development Committee
Foremost has been the establishment of the International Development Committee (IDC) at last year’s Environmental Connection conference. Initial members included Craig Benson, C.R. Devaraj, Rick Morse, John McCullah, and Doug Wimble, with myself as chair. Our first task was to assist with the development of a survey designed to gauge the membership’s understanding of what ID currently means and where it should go (see results below). Following the survey, additional members joined, and the committee now consists of 14 members, with two from staff. We are in the process of developing a long-term, sustainable international plan, complete with goals, objectives, and strategies to take IECA to another level of ID. Our mission follows IECA’s-to connect, educate, and develop the worldwide erosion and sediment control community. We had our first conference call in October, and we will host the International Forum at EC08 in Orlando, Florida, USA. Specific ideas we are considering include an International Session at EC09, a roving international board member, and an IECA conference outside the USA.
ID Survey
Three hundred and fifty-nine members participated in the survey. The respondents provided IECA’s board with a strong but cautious endorsement for moving forward on becoming a more international organization while ensuring that North American members remain vested. ID needs to provide more ways for members to share expertise and educational opportunities and needs to support existing chapters.
To find out more about the committee or to view the survey results, visit www.ieca.org/membership/getinvolved/IDC.asp.
Chapter Activities
- Australasia continues to be very active. Check the Chapter’s Web site linked through the IECA home page. A sampling of activities includes Call for Nominations for IECA Australasia Board of Directors; IECA Australasia Environmental Excellence Awards and AGM held November 2007 in Brisbane, QLD, Australia; and Australasian Chapter Newsletter Volume 13, Issue 2, August 2007, available on the Web.
- IberoAmerica has also been very active. The Chapter has published a membership benefit fact sheet and its first newsletter, as well as two editions of its journal Control de Erosion. IberoAmerica is working on its best management practices manual. The next IberoAmerican conference will take place in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, August 4-8, 2008.
Collaborations
We are continuing to develop a working relationship with Engineers Without Borders (EWB) and are prepared to provide technical assistance for the organization’s project in Tsuraku, Ecuador. Tsuraku’s water supply is provided by a small dam, failing due to an erosion problem exposing the foundation. Other potential collaborations are with the University of Nevada, Reno, in Itaparica, Brazil, and in Baja California. IECA will participate in the EWB conference in Seattle, Washington, USA, in March.
Information Access Program
IECA is working with a group of members in Bangladesh, a developing nation, to provide no-cost access to all information on our Web site (including members-only). If the program is successful, IECA hopes to open it up to other professionals residing in developing countries.
Bilingual Postings
Check the IECA Web site as we have increased postings of technical information in Spanish. We welcome translations in other languages.
ID Outreach
IDC member Rick Morse from the Australasian Chapter has been named associate editor for Environmental Connection magazine. One of his tasks will be to solicit at least one manuscript from a country outside the USA for each issue of the magazine. Congratulations, Rick!
Last, but certainly not least, after tireless work by our Fund Committee, the Save Our International Land (SOIL) Fund has been established. This fund’s vision is to further the science of erosion and sediment control and to improve the lives of those impacted by this process. It provides a permanent funding source for programs and projects that improve environmental quality through education, research, and applied technology, beyond what our current operating budget allows. We will be able to participate in and assist the world community where we can be effective. Please join IECA for the launching of the fund at the EC08 Opening Session and participate in our 5-kilometer race/walk. These are truly exciting times for ID.
