A Presentation of the High Committee for Mechanics

Besides its own leading authorities ( general assembly, board of directors, executive committee) AFM may rely on the High Committee for Mechanics initiated in 1989 by Paul GERMAIN, Secretary Perpetual of the French Academy of Sciences, to draw, as he put it, ‘the three worlds of engineers, academics and industry’ towards each other. Within the HCM, the above 3 colleges are represented by independent personalities whose authority in this particular context is purely moral. The HCM addresses issues of importance for mechanics and lays down recommendations which precede or accompany the actions led independently by other authorities concerned about mechanics. Thus, practically speaking, the committee played a determining part in the field of technology-transfer as well as in the concerted action regarding research (technical mechanics centers, the great innovative project for the machine-tool industry, innovation funding.,...) As soon as AFM was established, it was thought appropriate to bind AFM and the HCM, whose current role is that of a strategic committee, a think-tank which in addition spreads AFM’s ideas and makes its influence felt over the leading authorities of the Administration and the big companies. The strategic views of the HCM are expressed within the framework of a global vision of what mechanics ought to be in the swiftly moving present-day society : 

• A scientific subject found in many domains from the most fundamental to the most susceptible of short-term actions, for a wide range of important applications. 

• A technical approach which, through the design and the making of objects or systems of increasing complexity – mechanical engineering broadly speaking in the case in point 

• fosters a lasting aptitude for the integration of knowledge and duties in the service of corporations and the country’s needs For society to share his enthusiasm for his activities, the mechanicist ought to launch key actions in a few major directions, namely : 

• to promote at all levels educational curricula striking a balance between knowing and making 

• as regards research, to encourage a continuous improvement of both knowledge and know-how in the service of technical development. 

• concerning innovation, to improve the diffusion of technical culture in order to further the emergence of innovation : increased technical creativity, better perceived economic environments.... 

• to improve continuing education structures by combining a good command of new knowledge, a better perception of economic conditions and the development of innovating mind-sets 

• to rouse among various generations, with the help of the media, a real interest in mechanics and attract the best people In each one of the above recommendations, European and international aspects should be kept in mind. Beyond supporting such or such strategy, the HCM is expected to suggest well-focused, feasible and efficient actions as well as to do some prospective thinking