Welcome on the official website
Union of International Mountain Leaders Associations
 

A brief history of the UIMLA 

1989 – representatives from the national and professional mountain organisations of Austria, Belgium, France, Great Britain, Ireland and Italy met with the common objective of harmonising the content and standard of training for the profession of Mountain Leader. At this point in time the “European Mountain Leader Commission – EMLC” was formed. 

1992 – representatives from Belgium, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy and Spain met to ratify the “Community Standard for Conditions of Access to and Practise of the Profession of European Mountain Leader”. Between 1992 and 2004 it became clear that the title of European Mountain Leader EML did not accurately reflect the increasingly international nature of the work being undertaken by Mountain Leaders. Nor did it take in to account Mountain Leaders living and working outwith the European Union. 

2004 – representatives from Andorra, Belgium, France, Great Britain, Italy, Poland, Spain and Switzerland met at Plas y Brenin in North Wales, with the common objective of agreeing a constitution for the new “Union of International Mountain Leader Associations – UIMLA”. The union replaced the EMLC and opened up membership to all nations with an interest in the profession of International Mountain Leader – IML. The UIMLA Constitution was formally signed in Chambery, France, November 27th.  

The UIMLA’S Mission is to :

• make Mountain Leaders throughout the world aware of the existence of the UIMLA and encourage the forming of Member Country National Associations (MCNA’s).
   
• work towards cultural, social and legal recognition of the profession of International Mountain Leader – IML.
   
• harmonise member country training and assessment in terms of minimum requirements and quality.
   
• encourage and bring value to a sustainable development of mountainous regions.
   
• encourage and agree the right of an IML to practise in all mountainous countries.
   
• develop the visibility and professional reputation of the profession.
   
• develop and adopt a Code of Conduct.

  Last update August 13th 2008