Fostering a vibrant global community is one of the three main themes of the IFoA’s 2020-24 strategy. Wherever we are and whatever our circumstances, we should be able to count on the IFoA’s support in our careers and professional development.
There are several aspects to this. First, it’s about how the IFoA interacts with its members, and how members interact with each other and the world at large. Many of you will have noticed that the change to online working has meant the IFoA is making greater use of digital tools, enabling more of us to participate in working groups and attend online events. Members are encountering a growing range of career and employment patterns, and the IFoA is considering how digital communities could support us, starting with pilot online communities for banking and data science.
The IFoA is also learning how to work with groups of actuaries that are not part of its formal structure. One example is the COVID-19 Actuaries’ Response Group, which has made excellent use of social media and online resources, and built a reputation for timely and informed comment.
Building a vibrant global community isn’t just about technology; it is also about increasing diversity so we can tap into the potential available to us. The launch of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategy (bit.ly/IFoA_DEI) was an important step, and we’re committed to putting it into immediate effect, measuring impact and making a real difference. Not only do we need to collaborate with employers and universities to ensure actuarial careers are open to everyone, we also need to make sure that we’re supporting people from all backgrounds throughout their careers.
This will build on the IFoA’s reputation, helping us to create and sustain meaningful relationships and partnerships around the world, and to use our influence to promote the profession’s purposeful growth.
LOUISE PRYOR is the president of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries
