INSTITUTE OF TOPICAL ASSOCIATIONS

Scope and Affiliation

The "Institute of Topical Associations" ("ITA") has been recently formed by the World Academy of Ceramics at the purpose of encouraging and assisting the international community in pursuing cultural and scientific activities in well defined aspects of ceramics science, technology, history and art.

The above shall be accomplished by:

1- Favouring the creation of new professional bodies (Topical Associations) whose activities are directed towards the study of specific aspects of materials science, technology, history and art which appear of special interest -although not limited- to ceramics for their scientific, cultural and practical aspects.

2- Establishing opportunities for cultural exchange and cooperation between the Academy and those professional organisations whose activities and cultural interests are prevalently outside the ceramics field but whose knowledge and expertise may possibly be useful for developing synergy for achieving progress in the respective areas.

For a professional organisation, either created ex-novo as a Topical Association or a yet existing organisation, general requirements to be affiliated in ITA are:

- To be a highly reputed international organisation of individual and/or institutional members whose activity may be deemed of interest to the Academy in pursuing its objectives.
- Its membership is to include representatives (Individual and/or Institutional) of at least 10 different countries from at least 3 continents. Institutional members may represent national associations.
- To be and to act as a non-profit, apolitical organisation.

Each professional body affiliated in ITA is regulated by its own Statutes and will bear all responsibility for its activities including financial aspects. Only exception is for those activities which are envisaged to be endorsed or sponsored by WAC. For these formal approval by the Academy shall be agreed.

The World Academy of Ceramics welcomes the participation in ITA of qualified individuals and organisations worldwide that share the ideals and mission of the Academy, and will be pleased to supply interested individuals or organisations with all useful information about the procedures to apply for the ad hoc-creation of a new "Topical Association" or for a yet existing body to be admitted in ITA.