19th January 2012, 02:34 PM
moreno Wrote:One example of a European equivalent: http://www.e-a-a.org/
I did think of EAA, but I'm not sure that EAA membership can be considered equivalent to IfA membership, especially where quality and qualification might be areas concerning HER archaeological advisors. EAA membership is not subject to validation. Anyone can join irrespective of experience, qualification or expertise. Infact if you attend the EAA conference, annual membership is included as part of your entrance fee.
The Irish Institute of Archaeologists is more rigorous in its membership qualifications, expecting members to have a degree and experience and I would accept that they perhaps could be considered comparable to the IfA.
The EAA and Irish Institute are currently the only EU 'professional' organisations listed on the IfA website and it maybe that the IfA 'EU equivalency' test is defined by these two bodies. I note that the term 'EU equivalent' doesn't occur in the original Southport report (recomm 24) and wonder if the IfAs legal advisors have recommended its inclusion to cover possible challenge under EU legislation. This might suggest the legal grounds for 'excluding' non-IfA members isn't as sound as otherwise suggested.
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