International Affairs Committee, Annual Report 2012 Mary L. Monahan Principal, MLM Connections Holyoke, Massachusetts Chair, APWA International Affairs Committee ur geo-political borders become less and less obstacles to travel and learning. Technology and new international relationships allow us to see the shared concerns and opportunities in public works management throughout the world. The American Public Works Association and the International Affairs Committee see this as an opportunity for APWA members to learn from our international colleagues as well as to use the unique knowledge that our members have to teach and assist where needed. APWA President Diane Linderman; Doug Drever, Executive Board liaison to the International Affairs Committee; David Dancy, APWA Director of Marketing; and IAC chair Mary Monahan developed goals for 2011-2012 that further established Global Solutions in Public Works as an international opportunity for APWA members, reinforced the value of the Jennings Randolph Fellowship Program, and expanded international opportunities for members through new strategic relationships with Engineers Without Borders and the International Federation of Municipal Engineering. With support from the IAC, APWA renewed its relationship with the International City/County Management Association.
Global Solutions in Public Works Year two of this program saw dramatic increases in the awareness and participation of chapters and members. The goals of Global Solutions in Public Works are to provide chapters and members: 50 APWA Reporter
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1. Access to global solutions for members’ local public works challenges 2. Opportunities for members to use their unique knowledge of public works operations to mentor others in our global community 3. Support in developing long-term relationships with other public works operations throughout the world Gail Clark, Manager of International Programs for APWA, worked with the IAC to identify and reach out to members and chapters who would serve as champions in promoting the international opportunities that Global Solutions, Jennings Randolph, and other IAC initiatives provide to members. Early champions include the Colorado, New England, Florida, and Ventura County Chapters. The IAC received and approved applications from Susan Pan and Rachel Pan from APWA’s Ventura County Chapter. Susan and Rachel will travel to China to study high speed rail. Dwayne Kalynchuk from APWA’s British Columbia Chapter was approved for study in the Czech Republic. Dwayne will investigate district energy systems and local government composting operations. These applicants will receive up to $1,000 in reimbursement from Global Solutions. They and all applicants are encouraged to seek additional support from their chapters as these study tours likely address regional public works challenges that are shared by their fellow chapter members. All
Global Solutions participants are required to share the knowledge they learned from their study tours with other APWA members through APWA Reporter articles, chapter presentations and, when possible, a presentation at Congress. All participants must also be available as a resource to fellow members.
International Federation of Municipal Engineering APWA has a strategic relationship with the International Federation of Municipal Engineering (IFME) to advance and promote education and professional support for members of both organizations. IFME held their 2012 World Congress in June in Helsinki, Finland. The program’s focus was sustainable solutions and presentation topics included urban planning, traffic solutions, energy solutions, municipal design and engineering, construction and renovation, and asset management. Prior to the Congress the Institute of Public Works Engineers Australia (IPWEA) and New Zealand’s INGENIUM offered study tours that focused on public works challenges in the Helsinki region. APWA also has strategic partnerships with IPWEA and INGENIUM. The IAC approved funding of $1,000 from Global Solutions for approved applicants to participate in the Helsinki Congress and tours. Applications came from members from the Central Pennsylvania, Florida, New England, and Colorado Chapters. Applicants were required to describe their learning objectives,
