The CAS Strategic Plan—Reaching Out Internationally

by Gary R. Josephson

The CAS Strategic Plan provides a context for addressing international issues. This 1996 document discusses the geographic scope of the CAS, states as a guiding principle that the CAS is a significant contributor to the worldwide actuarial profession, and identifies several strategies under the membership function to improve worldwide access to CAS materials and members.

Recent actions taken by the CAS include:

• A proposal to provide for a nonvoting membership class ("Affiliate") for actuaries who are members of an International Actuarial Association (IAA) organization and who practice in the general insurance field;
• Formation of two new regional affiliates: Casualty Actuaries of Europe and Casualty Actuaries of the Far East;
• Plans for a joint effort with the Institute of Actuaries to conduct a seminar in the United Kingdom.

These activities are all premised on the expectation that the globalization of the insurance business will lead to a significant increase in the number of CAS members practicing outside of North America. In addition, the number of actuaries in other countries seeking to become proficient in and credentialed in casualty actuarial work is likely to increase.

The Long Range Planning Committee has asked the CAS Board to provide additional strategic direction for addressing international issues. The committee also welcomes comments from the CAS membership on direction in this area. Specific questions that invite comment are:

• Should the CAS be more proactive in reaching out to individual actuarial students and members of actuarial organizations in other countries? If so, how should we do it?
• Does the international record indicate that the CAS is the preeminent general insurance education and research organization in the world? If not, should we be, and what do we need to do to achieve this reputation?
• Should the CAS be the (or "an") educator of general insurance actuaries around the world? If so, does the CAS have the required resources?
• How can we raise the visibility of the CAS in the world actuarial community?

We also invite comments on other aspects of the Strategic Plan. Written comments should be submitted to John Purple, Chairperson, Long Range Planning Committee, c/o the CAS Office.