25th June 2008, 03:30 PM
I'm entirely with Oldgirl on this and I'm looking forward to Drumcharry's response to Oldgirl's post.
On the issue of being 'scared' of an independent regulatory body - that is exactly what I have been arguing for. Personally, I do see the IFA as independent, but Drumcharry clearly doesn't.
If another independent organisation comes along that can regulate the profession and can achieve universal acceptance by all archaeologists, I will happily support it. Under those circumstances, I would probably argue for the abolition of the IFA as an un-necessary organisation, because it apparently can't achieve universal acceptance.
As it is, however, no such organisation exists, and no-one is taking any steps to create it, and even if they did the prospects of any regulatory body achieving the voluntary acceptance of all archaeologists are nil.
I am not deeply enamoured of the IFA, and I freely accept that it has faults - mainly that it is too weak. However, I think it is necessary for any profession that aspires to ethical and professional standards to have a professional organisation that can establish those standards and regulate professional behaviour. As things stand, the IFA is the only game in town that even tries to do that, so it has my support.
So, at present, the available choices are two: join the IFA and accept regulation by it, or don't join it and operate unregulated by anyone.
1man1desk
to let, fully furnished
On the issue of being 'scared' of an independent regulatory body - that is exactly what I have been arguing for. Personally, I do see the IFA as independent, but Drumcharry clearly doesn't.
If another independent organisation comes along that can regulate the profession and can achieve universal acceptance by all archaeologists, I will happily support it. Under those circumstances, I would probably argue for the abolition of the IFA as an un-necessary organisation, because it apparently can't achieve universal acceptance.
As it is, however, no such organisation exists, and no-one is taking any steps to create it, and even if they did the prospects of any regulatory body achieving the voluntary acceptance of all archaeologists are nil.
I am not deeply enamoured of the IFA, and I freely accept that it has faults - mainly that it is too weak. However, I think it is necessary for any profession that aspires to ethical and professional standards to have a professional organisation that can establish those standards and regulate professional behaviour. As things stand, the IFA is the only game in town that even tries to do that, so it has my support.
So, at present, the available choices are two: join the IFA and accept regulation by it, or don't join it and operate unregulated by anyone.
1man1desk
to let, fully furnished