[Linux-aus] Professionals Australia (formerly APESMA)

[Brenda Aynsley]

On 17/12/13 13:06, Paul Gear wrote:
> On 12/17/2013 04:08 PM, Brenda Aynsley wrote:
>> On 17/12/13 06:53, Mark Walkom wrote:
>>>> There's SAGE-AU (of which I'm a member and also on the NSW exec).
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> However ACS are trying to become the IT union of AU, and I don't believe
>>>> we really need one run by them or anyone else.
>>>>
>> er guys, a correction here.  ACS is NOT a union, never has been a union
>> and I doubt it ever will be a union.
>>
>> The ACS (Australian Computer Society) is the recognised professional
>> association for those working in Information and Communications
>> Technology, seeking to raise the standing of ICT professionals and
>> represent their views to government, industry and the community. A
>> member of the Australian Council of Professions, the ACS is the guardian
>> of professional ethics and standards in the ICT sector, committed to
>> ensuring the beneficial use of ICT for all Australians. It provides both
>> members and non-members with opportunities for professional education,
>> networking and certification, as well as enabling them to contribute to
>> the development of their profession.
>
> Hi Brenda & all,
>
> If I can be forgiven for putting words in Mark's mouth, I think what
> he's trying to say is that the ACS seems to promote itself as the sole
> rightful arbiter of IT professionalism in Australia (you've backed this
> up with some of your wording choices above, e.g. "the recognised
> professional association", and "the guardian of professional ethics".).
> What I've seen from the ACS lately seems imperialistic rather than
> collaborative, and academic rather than practical.  It may be that the
> ACS is the best-placed institution to promote professionalism in our
> industry, but if we end up in a situation that is more like
> union-controlled factories rather than member-focused guilds, then I
> think that's a backwards step.
>


ACS does not promote itself as 'the sole rightful arbiter', we work 
collaboratively with many groups and recognise their role in the ICT 
ecosystem Paul.

We welcome opportunities to collaborate with other groups and in fact I 
am sitting in Geneva at the World Summit on the Information Society on 
behalf of IFIP as I write, for exactly the reason you say, to promote 
professionalism of ICT across the globe and not limited to any 
particular industry.  ICT professionals work in every industry in every 
economy around the world.

I think it's important that there are consistent messages in bringing 
the professionalism mission to the attention of governments and 
industries around the world and that is best achieved through dialogue 
and collaboration.

cheers
brenda






-- 
Brenda Aynsley, FACS CP, ACS Honorary Life Member
ACS President-Elect
Chair IFIP International Professional Practice Partnership (IP3) 2011-13

ACS Partnering for Success

Mobile:+61(0)412 662 988 || Phone:+61(0)8 7127 0107
Skype/Yahoo/Twitter: baynsley
Mobile when I am out of Australia: +372 5408 0036