Welcome back to Edith Meyer.  A vital member of the Blog team here at the IOR who this month writes about the Power of Network that Transcends Borders. She highlights the benefits of international collaboration and spotlights INWIC. Please read on to learn more and thank you to Edith for this action-provoking piece.

Sam Buckell

The challenges facing our sector don’t stop at national boundaries, so it’s only natural that our solutions shouldn’t either. That’s the idea I wanted to explore this month.

March brought International Women’s Day, and while this platform often highlights the value of diversity, on this occasion, I’d like to focus on the international side of our work. In many ways, the RACHP sector has long been a model of global cooperation. Think back to the Montreal Protocol: an international treaty signed in 1987 to phase out ozone‑depleting substances such as CFCs and HCFCs. Nearly four decades later, it remains one of the most successful examples of countries uniting to tackle a shared environmental threat.

That spirit of collaboration continues today. From supporting the Cooling Pledge to participating in global conferences on rising ambient temperatures, our industry consistently steps up to address worldwide challenges. The same is true when it comes to developing skills and careers. Late last year, the IOR signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the African Centre for Excellence in Sustainable Cold Chain (ACES). Through this partnership, technicians completing Clean Cooling Academy training in Rwanda and India can become IOR members and gain access to a wealth of technical resources and professional development opportunities.

Of course, building a career in a male‑dominated sector can be daunting. That’s where INWIC (the International Network of Women in Cooling) plays a vital role. Membership is free and connects women working across the global RACHP community. INWIC also offers an impressive mentorship programme designed to be inclusive and accessible to professionals at every level, from technicians and engineers to managers and industry leaders. The three‑month renewable mentorship cycle gives participants the chance to learn from experienced professionals and receive guidance tailored to their goals. If you’re curious to get involved, visit www.inwic.org. 

Just like net‑zero ambitions, progress on skills, diversity, and inclusion benefits from a global approach. And if history is any indication, our sector will continue to find innovative, collaborative solutions that reach far beyond borders.