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Proceedings of the 18
th
International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Paris 2013
The table shows also that Mexico and Russia in the North
American and European region, are similar to the South
American countries, and Canada in North America similar to
the European countries. On other hand, countries with a small
population, like Iceland, Singapore or Paraguay, have a great
influence in the media values. With all these considerations SA
is located in an area between highly developed countries and the
most delayed ones, and has a large asymmetry with its neighbor
of NA.
3
CHALLENGES IN THE PAST 3 YEARS
The following table summarises the situations, issues, and
achievements of Member Societies in the SA regions.
Situation
Issues
Achievements
Pan Am Conference
(the only Regional
Conf. with 2 regions)
Low participants from
the non host region.
Economic asymmetries
3 PanAm Committee
Meeting in August
2010, September 2011
and December 2012
Poor interaction
between Societies of
the region
Overlay of Conferences.
Not optimized itinerant
seminars and courses
Build up a calendar of
events. Improve
personal contact.
Regional events &
TC´s.
Lack of
communication
between authorities
Misunderstanding and
wariness among societies
2 Meetings of
Presidents of South
American Societies in
August 2010 and
October 2012.
No official web page Poor interaction between
VP and member societies
Web page, with
information, calendar
of events, reports of
TC members, etc.
Unbalanced
participation in TC´s
Committees
Some Societies are not
aware of these activities
Promote societies.
Publish reports of
TC´s members
Countries not
members ISSMGE
Many Geotechnical
Engineers not integrated
Promote the creation
of local societies
(SGG-SUG-CPG)
4
REGIONAL ACTIVITY
The following were the main regional activities between 2010
and August 2013:
•
10 National Conferences (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia,
Venezuela, Chile, Costa Rica)
•
3 International Conferences (Brazil, Chile)
•
15 International Seminars and Courses (Argentina,
Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Perú, Sto. Domingo,
Costa Rica)
•
>30 National Seminars and Courses (Argentina, Brazil,
Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Sto. Domingo, Venezuela)
•
2 Chile`s Earthquake Report (SoChiGeo-GREE /
CICCba-SAIG Argentina)
•
1 International Publication (Soils & Rocks in English
and Portuguese) + 8 Local Publications (hard copy and
electr. in Spanish) ( Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa
Rica, Ecuador, Perú, Venezuela)
•
3 Meetings of the Panamerican Committee (Brazil,
Canada, Mexico)
•
2 Meetings of Societies from South America (Brazil)
All this shows the strength and the maturity of the
Geotechnical Engineering in the region and the efforts of each
Member Society. In the 2 meetings of SA societies in August of
2010 and October of 2012, all the representatives of the member
societies could discuss their issues, and possibly found solutions
by working together. The three meetings of the Pan Am
Committee were very important because we were able to define
the by-laws and agreements of the Pan Am Committee board,
and for the organisation of future the Pan Am Conferences.
5
ACTIVITY OF VICE-PRESIDENT.
5.1
Meetings of the presidents of the national societies of the
South American region
August 2010, in Gramado (RS, Brazil): 12 societies over 13,
participated in the meeting of representatives from the
geotechnical national societies in the region.
Together with the ISSMGE Vice President Roberto
Terzariol (Argentina), there were delegates from Argentina,
Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El
Salvador, Paraguay, Perú, Venezuela. Unfortunately, Luis
Carpio (Dominican Republic) has an accident which made it
impossible travel to Brazil for this meeting. Additionally
included the presence of Alvaro Gutierrez (Uruguay) as an
observer as future National Society member. The meeting was
held in Serrano Hotel just before the XV Brazilian National
Conference on Geotechnical Engineering.
September of 2012, in Porto de Galinhas (Recife, Brazil):
10 of the 13 Members Societies participated in the meeting of
representatives.
Besides the ISSMGE Vice President Roberto Terzariol
(Argentina), there were representatives from Argentina, Brazil,
Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica y El Salvador. Walter Paniagua
(Mexico) attended as an observer from North America Region.
The meeting was held just before the XVI Brazilian National
Conference on Geotechnical Engineering.
In both meetings, Prof. Roberto Terzariol welcomed all
delegates. He acknowledged the Organizing Committees of the
National Conferences for hosting the meetings. Each
representative spoke about the history, number of members,
local issues and events to be held in each country. The
performance in each Society was different, but in general it can
be seen that all are preparing National Conferences, Seminars
and Courses with local and international character. The journals
and bulletins of each society are designed such as to provide a
means of communicating news and research articles. As a result
in all the regional societies, with few exceptions, are developing
activities, which, through the participation of its members show,
the strength of geotechnics in the different countries. There
followed discussions based on the Meeting Agenda.
5.2
MEETINGS OF THE PANAMERICAN COMMITTEE
August 2010, in Gramado (RS, Brazil): during the XV Brazilian
Conference of Geotechnical Engineering. In attendance were
Prof. Jean Louis Briaud, President of the ISSMGE, Prof. Pedro
Seco e Pinto former President of the ISSMGE, the Vice
President for South America, 12 representatives of South
American Societies, 3 delegates from the North American
societies, and the Vice President from North America, Gabriel
Auvinet.
September 2011, in Toronto (Canada): during the XI Pan
American Conference of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical
Engineering. In attendance were Prof. Jean Louis Briaud,
President of the ISSMGE, Prof. Pedro Seco e Pinto former
President of the ISSMGE, the Vice President for South
America, 9 delegates from South American Societies, 3
delegates from the North American societies, and the Vice
President from North America, Gabriel Auvinet.
December 2012, in Cancun (Mexico): during the Mexico´s
National Conference of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical
Engineering. In attendance were the Vice President for South
America, 8 delegates from South American Societies, 3
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