PMFORUM Breaking News

Reported by Jouko Vaskimo in Helsinki

Mrs Brigitte Schaden, President, International Project Management Association, has opened the 23^rd IPMA World Congress on Project Management in Helsinki, Finland. The congress opening ceremony took place in the afternoon of 15.6.2009 in Helsinki Exhibition and Convention Centre. In her opening speech Mrs Schaden reminded the global community on the importance of project management as a key factor for economic survival. Mrs Schaden's presentation was well received by an audience of over 1000 World Congress participants from 55 countries, including a total of 150 speakers from 27 counties.

Mrs Schaden emphasized People are more important than methods, and continued: This is one of the most important expertises in the project management business! And it is my deep conviction. Therefore I am very happy that in the IPMA four level certification system the social and behavioural competences have become so important. And I am proud of IPMA for this development, for the courage and the energy to enlarge and upgrade the IPMA certification program. And I am sure, that IPMA has worldwide the best competence based assessment system in project management.

IPMA is a global organisation with approx. 60.000 members from more than 50 countries. IPMA represents 47 member associations on an international level. But we are not only the first international project management association worldwide, I think we are also a very dynamic and trend-setting pm-organisation. And I am sure you will agree with me that we should maintain and enforce this position in the future.

Never before it was so important to think about changes and sustainable development and to be open minded. It is hard work to give up working methods and knowledge which have been respected und successful for a long time. But sometimes it is necessary - especially for the economic survival. One of the most important skills of a successful project manager is to be flexible and to be able to deal with challenges, with new and unpredictable situations. Not only therefore - but I think it is one of the reasons why our profession is getting more and more important and accepted. So, let´s take the chance. And of course: Let's refresh ourselves as well! Mrs Schaden can be contacted at Brigitte.Schaden@ipma.ch . (photo courtesy Jouko Vaskimo)

Mrs Schaden's opening speech was followed by the opening keynote presentation From Trial and Error to a Recognized Global Turn-key Supplier - The Wärtsilä Power Plant Story by Mr Ole Johansson, President and CEO of Wärtsilä Corporation. Mr Johansson presented Wärtsilä development path from an engine manufacturing business to a global project management corporation, building his presentation on the comprehensive research and development work Wärtsilä has undertaken in co-operation with Finnish universities and researchers. From this background Wärtsilä has developed a state-of-the-art project management competence development system and corporate project management methodology. Mr Johansson can be contacted at Ole.Johansson@wartsila.com . (photo courtesy Jouko Vaskimo)

Mr Johansson's opening keynote was followed by a second keynote presentation From One Man's Dream to Global Network Company by Mr Heikki Malinen, President and CEO of Pöyry PLC. Mr Malinen described how Mr Jaakko Pöyry, in 1958, started the company, which has over the years developed in to a globally renowned multi-sector consulting and engineering group. Today Pöyry is a client- and technology-oriented consulting and engineering business, comprising five business groups: Energy, Forest Industry, Transportation, Water & Environment, and Construction Services. Pöyry has 8000 experts in its offices in nearly 50 countries around the world. Mr Malinen can be contacted at Heikki.Malinen@poyry.com .(photo courtesy Jouko Vaskimo)

The official part of the opening ceremony was followed by a panel discussion, with Master of Ceremonies Tom Taylor facilitating, and Mrs Schaden, Mr Johansson and Mr Malinen participating. Starting with the typical issues regarding successful project management, the panel went on to a more and more refreshing mode towards the end. (photo courtesy Jouko Vaskimo)



The theme for the 23^rd IPMA World Congress on Project Management in Helsinki is "Refresh Yourself". The event is aimed at regenerating one's professional career, organization and personal development.
The event brings together highly targeted top managers and professionals from all fields in emerging and leading economies. Exclusively designed networking opportunities will connect partners to decision makers, leaders and senior management and all levels of delegates, while helping expand contacts in a "Refreshing" atmosphere. Congress partners participate in a partner exhibition or sponsor specific activities at the Congress. For further information, please navigate to www.refresh09.com.

The local host of the 23^rd IPMA World Congress on Project Management in Helsinki is Project Management Association Finland (PMAF), based in Espoo, Finland. PMAF is the national membership body for Finland in the International Project Management Association (IPMA). The general manager of PMAF is Jyry Louhisto, who is also the project director for the 23^rd IPMA World Congress. For further information, please navigate to www.pry.fi/en.

Founded in 1967 and registered in Switzerland, the International Project Management Association (IPMA) is the world's oldest project management professional organization. IPMA is an international federation of more than 45 national PM societies in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas. IPMA's Annual World Congress is one of the largest and most important gatherings of project management authorities and leaders each year. For further information please navigate to www.ipma.ch.