55th ECCE General Meeting
25-26 May 2012, Vilnius, Lithuania
Radisson Blu Hotel Lietuva

“Transport Infrastructure Development in Lithuania and Neighbouring Countries”

ECCE BRIEF ACTIVITY REPORT NOVEMBER 2011 – MAY 2012
ОТЧЕТ ЗА ДЕЙНОСТТА НА ECCE НОЕМВРИ 2011 Г. – МАЙ 2012
by Gorazd Humar, ECCE President
May 2012

54th ECCE General Meeting in Antalya in combination with the 2nd Joint
International Conference “Seismic Protection of Cultural Heritage” coorganized by WCCE, ECCE and TCCE was organized with great success.

◊ New ECCE Member: Georgian Society of Civil Engineers (GSCE)
◊ New ECCE Associate Member: Institute of German Engineers e.V. of German Engineers e.V. – ZDI

1st EUROPEAN ENGINEERS’ DAY A Great ECCE Event

1st EUROPEAN ENGINEERS’ DAY
Thursday, 8th December 2011
The Stanhope Hotel, Rue du Commerce 9, Brussels

The European Council of Civil Engineers (ECCE) and the European Council of Engineering Chambers (ECEC) co European Council of Engineering Chambers (ECEC) co- organised the 1st European Engineers’ Day on Thursday 8th December 2011, in Brussels.
The scope of the event was to demonstrate the critical role and the contribution of the Chartered Engineers to the society, serving the public interest and building life quality and a sustainable environment. Chartered Engineers providing high quality services design and construct the built environment and the necessary infrastructure for improving the life quality of the European Citizens. The Engineers act as professionals within a framework of high morale and ethical standards seeking the sustainable development.
In this event the focus was on the two following topics:
◊ Role of Chartered Engineers in Europe (engineering value for society and living conditions, professional structure, professional mobility)
◊ Engineering Quality and Public Procurement
◊ The 1st European Engineers’ Day was attended by over 100 participants. participants. Commissioners, MEPs, high Commissioners, MEPs, high-level staff of the EU level staff of the EU DGs, National representations in the EU, high DGs, National representations in the EU, high-level staff of l staff of National Ministries, representations from International and National Engineering Organizations, etc. were among the attendees and lecturers.
◊ Key speeches were given by the European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Mrs. Maria Damanaki, the President of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO) Mr. Adel Al Kharafi and the President of the Hungarian Chamber of Engineers, Government Commissioner of the Danube Strategy, former Member of the European Parliament and former Hungarian Ambassador in Austria Mrs. Etelka Barsi Austria Mrs. Etelka Barsi-Pataky. Pataky.

◊ On Topic I the lecturers were the following:
– Jürgen Tiedje, Head of the Unit for Free movemen ürgen Tiedje, Head of the Unit for Free movement of Professionals, DG MARKT, European Commission
– Vassilis Economopoulos, ECCE Immediate Past Presi Vassilis Economopoulos, ECCE Immediate Past President
– Rudolf Kolbe, Vice President CEPLIS and CLGE Rudolf Kolbe, Vice President CEPLIS and CLGE
– Fernando Branco, ECCE Vice President / President Fernando Branco, ECCE Vice President / President Elect
– David Lloyd David Lloyd-Roach, Director of Membership at ICE Roach, Director of Membership at ICE
– Heide R Heide Rühle, European Parliament Member of the ühle, European Parliament Member of the Group of Greens / European Free Alliance, Germany
– Josef Robl, ECEC President, Member of Federal Josef Robl, ECEC President, Member of Federal Procurement Control Agency
– David Hutchinson, Principal Consultant, Rail & David Hutchinson, Principal Consultant, Rail & Transit at Parsons Brinckerhoff, Former ICE Vice President
The Steering The Steering Committee of the 1 Committee of the 1st European Engineers Day which consists of the following persons: Josef Robl (ECEC President), Gorazd Humar (ECCE President), Vassilis Economopoulos (ECCE Immediate Past President), Efstathios Tsegkos (ECEC General Secretary), Fernando Branco (ECCE Vice President/President Elect), Cornelia Hammerschlag (ECEC) as well as the Secretariats of ECCE (Maria Karanasiou) and ECEC (Natassa Sokou) worked hard on the preparation of the event.

4th Presidents’ of the European Engineering Organizations Meeting
Thursday, 8th December 2011,
The Stanhope Hotel, Rue du Commerce 9, BrusselsThe 4th Presidents’ of the European Engineering Organizations Meeting was organized by ECCE.
The participants were the following:
– Adel Al Adel Al Kharafi Kharafi – WFEO President (distinguished guest) WFEO President (distinguished guest)
– Gorazd Humar Gorazd Humar – ECCE President ECCE President
Vassilis Economopoulos Vassilis Economopoulos – ECCE Immediate Past Presid ECCE Immediate Past President
– Fernando Branco Fernando Branco – ECCE Vice President/ President El ECCE Vice President/ President Elect
– Karlheinz Zachmann – ECCE SC Development & Business Environment Chairman
– Josef Robl – ECEC President ECEC President
– Efstathios Efstathios Tsegkos Tsegkos – ECEC General Secretary ECEC General Secretary
– Dirk Bochar – FEANI Secretary General FEANI Secretary General
– Ulrich Paetzold Paetzold – FIEC Director General FIEC Director General
– Jacques Jacques Schibler Schibler – SEFI Communication Officer SEFI Communication Officer
– Theodoros Stratigeas – ECCE Secretary Substitute ECCE Secretary
Substitute

WFEO President, Mr. Adel Al WFEO President participated in the Meeting addressing an opening speech and he invited the 5th Presidents’ of the European Engineering Organizations Meeting, in September 2012, in Ljubljana.
The agenda included interesting presentations made by the participants which are the following:
Visibility of Engineering Profession – The critical role of Engineers serving the Public Interest (ECCE Immediate Past President, Mr. Vassilis Economopoulos)
The construction sector in Europe today The construction sector in Europe today – Facts and Facts and perspective (FIEC General Director, Mr. Ulrich (FIEC General Director, Mr. Ulrich Paetzold Paetzold)
Evaluation and Reviewing of the Professional Qualifications Directive (Green Paper, Professional Card, latest evolutions and documents) (FEANI General Secretary, Mr. Dirk (FEANI General Secretary, Mr. Dirk Bochar)
Evaluation and Reviewing of the Public Procurement Directives (ECEC President, Mr. Josef Robl)

Directives (ECEC President, Mr. Josef Robl)
Additionally, the current news of all participating organizations were discussed.
The 4th Presidents’ Meeting has proved to be very successful and a great opportunity for ECCE to strengthen its relationship with the participating Engineering Organizations as well as to enhance its current and future cooperation with them.
ECCE President was invited by Mrs. ECCE President was invited by Mrs. Etelka Barsi-Pataky, President of the Hungarian Chamber of Engineers (HCE), and Mr. Gabor Mr. Gabor Szollossy Szollossy, HCE General Secretary, to participate to , HCE General Secretary, to participate to the Annual Ball of Engineers in Budapest which was organized at the Technical University of Budapest on 28th January 2012.
This was an important social event organized by HCE with a participation of about 600 members and guests. Several ministers of the Hungarian Government attended the event.
The President had the opportunity to discuss with Mrs. Etelka Barsi-Pataky regarding the latest developments on regarding the latest developments on Professional Recognition in Europe and ECCE engagements in this matter. He was also introduced to the Mayor of Budapest

Professional Recognition in Europe and ECCE engagements in this matter. He was also introduced to the Mayor of Budapest with whom he exchanged some words regarding the position of construction sector in Europe.
ECCE President was pleased to be in the company of Gabor Szollossy and Josef Mecsi, both ECCE delegates and ECCE , both ECCE delegates and ECCE friends during this important event.
The HCE invitation was a nice sign of the HCE devotion to ECCE and its mission.
ECCE President received an invitation by the President of the Colegio Colegio de Ingenieros de Caminos, Canales y Puertos de Ingenieros de Caminos, Canales y Puertos, Mr. Edelmiro Rúa Álvarez to attend the 6th National Civil Engineering Congress. The Congress took place in Valencia on 23rd and 24th February 2012 with about 500 participants. Among them were ECCE, WCCE and ICE Presidents.
Several Round Tables were organized dealing with presentations of the current situation of the civil construction sector in Spain and Europe.
A very interesting Round Table with the presence of General managers of the biggest Spanish construction companies (Ferrovial, FCC, Dragados, Typsa, etc.) made a deep analysis managers of the biggest Spanish construction companies (Ferrovial, FCC, Dragados, Typsa, etc.) made a deep analysis of the sector which is in a big decline. The bottom of the crisis is not yet reached and nobody can predict the recovery in the next future. It is not to expect the situation that there was during the years 2000 during the years 2000-2008 any more. 2008 any more.
A special attention was given to the role and position of young engineers who will not be able to take enough praxis and working experience in order to be developed in good engineers.
A strategy panel named “Civil Engineering in the World, Challenges and Vision” was organized during the first day of the congress with the participation of invited guests. The following persons attended the panel:
Mr. Emilio Colon Mr. Emilio Colon – WCCE President WCCE President
Mr. Andrew Herrmann Mr. Andrew Herrmann – ASCE President ASCE President
Mr. Richard Mr. Richard Coackley Coackley – ICE President ICE President
Mr. Gorazd Humar Mr. Gorazd Humar – ECCE President ECCE President

The President presented ECCE and its activities over the last years emphasizing also the important role of Spain being an ECCE member.
Separate meeting was organized between the presidents of CICCP, ASCE, ICE and ECCE. Some conclusions of this meeting were included in conclusions of the congress.

ECCE President after having received an invitation from Mr. Nicola Mr. Nicola Monda (they met in Brussels in Dec. 2011), (they met in Brussels in Dec. 2011),
responsible for foreign affairs at CNI he decided to participate at the meeting with CNI during their congress in Naples. The congress was titled “The city of
future and the innovation in building construction”.
On Friday 13.04.2012 he had a separate meeting with Mr. Nicola Mr. Nicola Monda and he explained him how ECCE and he explained him how ECCE works and the role and work of SCs. CNI was ready to 15 be reactivated in ECCE. Mr. N. be reactivated in ECCE. Mr. N. Monda invited to the invited to the meeting also 2 representatives of CNI who will work with ECCE, Mr. Massimo with ECCE, Mr. Massimo Mariani and Mr. and Mr. Hansjorg Letzner.
The President explained them also the ECCE Articles of Association and how to start working with ECCE.
On Saturday 14 April 2012 the President assisted at the congress in the Faculty of Civil Engineering in Naples and in the afternoon he participated at the meeting of
the Board (Presidency) of the CNI where he also met the President of CNI Mr. Armando the President of CNI Mr. Armando Zambrano Zambrano. He presented the role of ECCE to all Board members and he stressed the importance of the CNI presence in ECCE.
The Board confirmed once again their intention to continue collaborating with ECCE.
The congress continued from 16 The congress continued from 16 – 18 April 2012 with 18 April 2012 with a very interesting title „History of Engineering“.
ECCE President was invited by the Greek Colleagues to a high level international workshop on the subject “The role of the Civil Engineer in Shaping the Future” which was held on Monday 30th April 2012, in Athens, Greece.
This international workshop was co This international workshop was co-organized by th organized by the Technical Chamber of Greece (TCG), the Association of Civil
Engineers of Greece (ACEG) and the Hellenic Group of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).
ECCE President made a presentation on the subject “Civil Engineers in Europe, employment trends and opportunities”.
ECCE Immediate Past President gave a welcome speech to all the participants (350 attendants, the majority of them was young engineers)
Among the distinguished international speakers (apart from the Greek distinguished Professors) were the following: Mr. Patrick Patrick Natale – ASCE’s Executive Director, Mr. Albert ASCE’s Executive Director, Mr. Albert Yeung – Director, International Region, ASCE and Mr. Director, International Region, ASCE and Mr. Raouf Ghali –Hill Intl, President, Project Management Operations.
ECCE Vice President/ President Elect, Prof. Fernando Branco, has been following up the progress of the EU negotiation procedures on the Evaluation and Reviewing of the EU Directive 2005/36 on Professional Recognition & Qualifications. On this subject he has drafted a special report “EU Directive 005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications SUMMARY ABOUT PROPOSAL OF CHANGES” which will be sent to all before Vilnius.
ECCE Vice President/ President Elect elaborated and completed the ECCE Vision and New Strategy. He has drafted a report on this which will be also disseminated to all.
ECCE Immediate Past President participated in the o in the official fficial Meeting organized by the European Commission DG Meeting organized by the European Commission DG Markt about the proposed draft of the revised EU Directive on Professional Qualifications which was held on 2nd February 2012, in Brussels. In this Meeting Mr. 2012, in Brussels. In this Meeting Mr. Tiedje on behalf of the on behalf of the European Commission informed that the Professional Card is introduced in the New Directive as optional and will be issued by the competent Authorities in the Member States where the Profession or the Title are regulated. As he also stressed, the Professional Card will be a mean of facilitation and the relevant data of the holder of the Professional Card will be exchanged via the IMI System. When questioned about the way that Professional Card will be issued in the countries where the Profession or the Title are not regulated, Mr. Tiedje answered that this issue has not yet been decided upon. Mr. Tiedje also informed that in the New Directive the c also informed that in the New Directive the concept and the procedures for the Partial Recognition are introduced, incorporating the jurisprudence of the European Court on the subject.
The ECCE participated with written position papers and answers to the EU Questionnaires from the beginning of the whole negotiation procedure organized by the EC until now.
During the year 2012 the negotiation procedure with the Governments of the Member States will be held and finally at the end of 2012 the New European Directive on Professional Qualifications will be adopted.
ECCE Immediate Past President participated in the celebration of the 60th Anniversary of FEANI on 31st January 2012, in Brussels, in which mongst the speakers were MEP Miss Emma McCLARKIN McCLARKIN, MEP Mr Malcolm HARBOUR and MEP Malcolm HARBOUR and MEP Mrs Victoria FORD. The key Victoria FORD. The key-note address was provided b note address was provided by ALDE
Party -Leader and former Belgian Prime Minister, M Leader and former Belgian Prime Minister, MEP Mr G EPuy VERHOFSTADT. Mr. Malcolm VERHOFSTADT. Mr. Malcolm Harbour Harbour, President of the EP , President of the EP IMCO SC and Member of IMCO SC and Member of IMechE focused on the new revised focused on the new revised European Directive on Professional Qualifications.
ECCE Immediate Past President participated in WFEO ExCo Meetings in Paris (5th – 10th March 2012) and within the framework of these meetings discussions were made with UNESCO and OECD.
Karlheinz Zachmann, (Chairman of the SC Development and Business Environment) after our 54th Meeting in Antalya participated in three ECF Meetings that were held on 22nd November 2011, 27th January 2012 and 13th April 2012, in Brussels.
ECF counts now 12 permanent members as RICS (the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) was accepted as an ECF member in the January meeting.
The main issues that have been discussed during the ECF gatherings are the following:
Energy Efficiency Directive update
Cost Optimal Methodology (Energy Performance of
Buildings Directive) Buildings Directive) – update
Water performance in buildings
Eco-labeling of office building labeling of office building – update
Green Paper Public Procurement Green Paper Public Procurement – next steps next steps
Revision of the Standardization Package

EU 2020 Project Bond Initiative
Many important issues regarding the construction sector have been discussed in these Meetings and very useful feedback was communicated to ECCE by Karlheinz Zachmann.
Prof. Iacint Manoliu (General Secretary of the EUCEET Association) organized with great success the Conference “New Trends & Challenges in Civil Engineering Education” that was held on 24th – 25th November 2011, in Patras, Greece.
He has also been working on the Academic Network Project “EUCEET for a smart, sustainable and inclusive growth of Europe” which was submitted to EC on 1st February 2012. ECCE is participating as st one of the Professional Associations of the Consortium.
Prof. Iacint Manoliu sent an Expression of Interest Letter on behalf of ECCE for its participation as a partner in the Project “Fostering Learning Objectives and Research for European Engineering Education: a Network of Stakeholders” (FLORENS).
Prof. Asko Sarja has been working on and preparing the following subjects:
– Establishment of the Establishment of the ECCE Social Network “BuildLife”
– Follow up and contributing to the development of Follow up and contributing to the development of knowledge and technology in civil engineering at European level
– Contribution and support for implementation of Contribution and support for implementation of “Energy Efficient nZEB (nearly Zero Energy) Buildings into praxis in EU”
– Contribution and support for implementing the Contribution and support for implementing the Lifetime oriented buildings and civil engineering into the praxis of ECCE countries

ECCE Executive Board Meeting
Friday, 9th December 2011, Brussels
PARTICIPANTS:
Humar, Gorazd – President, Economopoulos, Vassilis P. – Immediate Past President, Saez, Jose Francisco – Member, Stylianou, Nicos – Member, Coleman, Murt – Responsible for the coordination of the works of Standing Committees and Task Forces, Stratigeas, Theodoros – ECCE General ECCE Substitute

AGENDA:
— 4th Presidents’ of the European Engineering Organizations Meeting, Overview and follow up
— 1st European Engineers’ Day
— The ECCE New Publication «Footbridges in Europe»
— ECCE Standing Committees Reviewing and Restructurin
— Preparation of New ECCE Strategic Plan presentation in Vilnius
— Any other business

ECCE Executive Board Meeting Friday, 30th March 2012, Brussels
PARTICIPANTS:
Humar, Gorazd – President, President, Economopoulos, Vassilis P. –
Immediate Past President, Branco Fernando Fernando – Vice-President/
President-Elect, Howell David – Member, Saez, Jose Francisco – Member, Stylianou, Nicos – Member, Maroukis Nikolas – ECCE General Secretary Substitute, Coleman, Murt – Responsible for the Responsible for the coordination of the works of Standing Committees and Task Forces

AGENDA:
— Membership Fees 2012 Membership Fees 2012-payments payments – Report by Teemu Vehmaskoski
— 55th ECCE Meeting in Vilnius 55th ECCE Meeting in Vilnius – Agenda of the Meetin Agenda of the Meeting – Report by g Report by Gorazd Humar
— ECCE Strategic Plan ECCE Strategic Plan –Proposal to improve ECCE’s role in the future – le in the future Report by Fernando Branco
— ECCE Standing Committees Reviewing and Restructuring, changes and new program and new program – Report by Murt Coleman Report
— Preparatios for ECCE elections in October 2012, Dubrovnik
— Any other business

Photos from the event:

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Material of the 55th ECCE General Meeting

Екскурзия с вечеря в реставрираният Островен замък в Тракай, построен на остров в езерото Галве. Замъкът понякога е наричан „малкият Мариенбург“. Основният структурен материал са т.н. „червени готически тухли“. Каменни блокове са използвани само за основите и горните части на сградите, кулите и стените. Замъкът е украсен по много начини, като емайлирани покриви, препечени тухли и прозорци с цветни стъкла. Основния стил на сградата е готика с елементи от романски стил.

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