INSIGHT | ITA
Above: It has been a busy year for Arnold Dix, almost constantly on the road and away from home, and with more planned to come ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF ARNOLD DIX
membership fees. ITA considers the global best
position and not a single regional interest. This is reflected in Pakistan joining ITA with the support of India despite the war between their countries. This is consistent with other countries like China, India, Japan, and Saudi Arabia too. I acknowledge that this is often a difficult personal
position for our members to take and I thank everyone for putting the interests of the world’s peoples and planet before local politics. Our Member Nations have been asked to consider
a range of proposals designed to further empower the ITA’s global mission of knowledge exchange and training. At the time of writing this note, there are proposals before our Member Nations designed to extend the ITA’s influence and capacity for outreach in this regard.
ENGAGE AFRICA In Athens, at WTC2023, the ExCo decided to implement an ‘Engage Africa’ program designed to consolidate and coordinate ITA’s engagement in Africa. It is anticipated that this program will quickly result in positive activities in Africa. I am already involved in discussions with the World Bank. Arthur Kubuya has commenced activities as ITA’s Special Envoy to DR Congo. Abidemi Agwor’s activities with ITACUS and South Africa’s initiatives on the continent are progressing. The African engagement is about finding out what
local engineering decision makers need – not imposing the ITA on anyone. So, for example, in Kinshasa we are engaging with the
local engineering society and politicians and aiming to have a multidisciplinary workshop where we explore what the Kinshasa leaders need and to explain what practically can be done. The arrangements are still
42 | Winter 2023
being made but we are foreshadowing our attendance with subject matter experts and perhaps also WEF representatives (not yet confirmed) and even planners, lawyers, and financiers. The idea is to create an actionable plan that meets the local needs of Kinshasa. At the moment there are nearly 20 million people living in a city with a sewerage system designed for 300,000. These African engagement activities are an adjunct to, and in addition to, our global outreach generally.
AHEAD While leading on the ‘One ITA’ mission, metrics, outreach and changes, it is only possible to deliver such changes, and at pace, with the critical review and support of the entire new ExCo, the new Executive Director and the Secretariate. The ExCo has immediately responded to the
demanding needs of our peoples and planet today. Our activities over the last year are repositioning the ITA for its continued role as thought leader for the world underground. Much has been achieved already and more is
underway. My initial suggestion that the ITA become a signatory
for the UN Global Compact on sustainability is still being considered. For the moment, the ExCo has decided that ITA has significant change management issues to deal with and joining the UN Global Compact is premature. Our ITA commitments to sustainability via all arms
of the organization, including the new special purpose committee, is evidence of our focus on taking real actions is a priority. The internal guiding principle of One ITA is driving a
strong and public ITA, leading us to further assume the central leadership role for the world underground. Many peoples, one world, One ITA.
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