Union of International Mountain Leader Associations

The Union of International Mountain Leader Associations (UIMLA) was founded in November 2004. It was decided at the meeting that all IMLs would be awarded the same carnet and badge giving an internationally recognised identity. It also paves the way for other countries from around the world to join UIMLA setting a world standard for mountain leaders. The principal aims of UIMLA are:
*To promote the profession of International Mountain Leader (IML) and to reinforce its identity beyond Europe;
*To develop relationships between the professionals of various nationalities and to take part in the evolution of the IML training and qualifications;
*To represent the profession at a European and international level.

The UIMLA International Mountain Leader and the IFMGA Mountain Guide are the only internationally recognised qualifications for those leading groups in the mountains. Holders of these awards can also work in the UK's mountains.

The International Mountain Leader Award is the professional qualification for individuals who wish to lead trekking parties to all mountain areas except on glaciers, and where the techniques or equipment of alpinism are required. The International Mountain Leader (IML) can also operate on easy snow-covered terrain, providing it is of a gentle, Nordic type in the “middle” mountains. On successful completion of the full training and assessment programme, and by belonging to their recognised National Body, the individual will gain the full IML Award, a professional Carnet and Internationally recognised badge, giving them comparability with other IMLs world-wide.

The IML Award is validated by the Union of International Mountain Leader Associations (UIMLA), and was founded in November 2004. It was decided at the meeting that all IMLs would be awarded the same carnet and badge giving an internationally recognised identity. It also paves the way for other countries from around the world to join UIMLA setting a world standard for mountain leaders.

UIMLA's International Office is at:
UIMLA, Maison des Parcs et de la Montagne, 256, Rue de la République F-73000 CHAMBERY, France

ee also

*BAIML
*British Association of Mountain Guides
*IFMGA

References

European Mountain Leader Commission, (1992). "Community Standard for Conditions of Access to and Practice of the Profession of European Mountain Leader": UK Mountain Leader Training Board, Capel Curig, Wales.
Mountain Leader Training UK, (2007). "International Mountain Leader Handbook": Mountain Leader Training UK, Capel Curig, Wales.
UIAA Youth Commission, (2001) "Seminar on Youth Leader Education for Mountaineering 7-10 October 2001" UIAA Switzerland. Downloaded from www.uiaa.ch/web.test/visual/YouCom/ober2001.doc 16 June 2007
Stevens, S., & Trangmar, R., (2007). "International Mountain Leaders." EasyJet Inflight Magazine, January 2007 pp.45-48.

External links

* [http://www.uimla.org Union of International Mountain Leader Associations website]
* [http://www.mltuk.org/docs/training-eml.html International Mountain Leader Award details (MLTUK website)]
* [http://www.ivbv.info/ UIAGM / IVBV / IFMGA official website]

Member Associations

* [http://www.agamandorra.com/ Andorra: L´Associació de Guies i Acompanyants de Muntanya d´Andorra(AGAMA)]
* [http://www.upmm.be/index.php Belgium: Union Professionnelle des Métiers de la Montagne (UPMM)]

* [http://www.lesaem.org/ France: Syndicat National des Accompagnateurs en Montagne (LESAEM)]
* [http://www.przewodnik-lider.pl/ Poland: Stowarzyszenie Europejskich Przewodników Górskich „LIDER’ (SEPG)]

* [http://www.aegm.org/ Spain: Asociación Española de Guías de Montaña (AEGM)]
* [http://www.randonnee.ch/ Switzerland: Association Suisse des Accompagnateurs en Montagne (ASAM)]

* [http://www.baiml.org/top United Kingdom: British Association of International Mountain Leaders (BAIML)]