International Forestry Students' Association
Encyclopedia
International Forestry Students’ Association or IFSA is a non-political, not for profit organisation of tertiary-level forestry students around the world.
Approximately 10,000 forestry and related forest science student
s are either directly or indirectly represented, with more than 60 Local Committees in over 40 countries.
IFSA promotes global cooperation among students of forest sciences in order to broaden knowledge and understanding to achieve a sustainable
future for forest
s, and provides a voice for youth in international forest policy processes. For this, IFSA provides a platform for students of forest sciences to enrich their formal education, promote cultural understanding by encouraging collaboration with international partner organisations and to gain practical experiences with a wider and more global perspective. Through its social network
, IFSA encourages student meetings, enables participation in scientific debates, and supports the involvement of youth in decision making processes and international forest and environmental policy
.
IFSA is officially registered as a charity organisation, with its seat in Freiburg, Germany
.
The organisation promotes the involvement of professional foresters in decision making. In the organisation's opinion, forest scientists are, as a matter of principle, better qualified to evaluate questions of sustainable forest management than specialists from other sciences. For that reason, forestry students are offered the opportunity to understand and actively take part in these international forest policy processes.
Currently, IFSA is preparing to organise a session at the 2009 World Forestry Congress
in Argentina
.
The International Processes Commission (IPC) coordinates and prepares the participation of IFSA in the policy processes outlined above. It is also a forum to discuss differing points of view forest policy. The Exchange Program Commission (EP) facilitates student work placements and exchanges between forestry companies, NGOs, research institutions and universities around the world. The Promotion and Publication Commission (P&P) is in charge of the publication of the IFSA News, IFSA's official newsletter. P&P also develops other promotional material for the association such as posters and brochures. The Web Commission is in charge of the maintenance and development of the IFSA website and the online forum. The Language Commission is responsible for the translation of official documents from various languages into English and vice versa. Formerly the "Village Concept Program", the Development Program has the aim of creating programs whereby students can dedicate their time to assist with the ecologically sustainable development
of less economically developed countries. The Fundraising Commission is responsible for raising money for running the association and its activities, as well as providing fundraising packages and advice for members to travel to IFSA events.
Hosted by a different country each year, the International Forestry Students’ Symposium (IFSS) is the venue for the IFSA General Assembly, during which work from the previous year is reported, decisions are made regarding IFSA activities and new officials for the next year are elected and appointed. During the IFSS, numerous activities are planned to showcase the host country's culture and natural environment, in particular the forests. Lectures from guest speakers and field trips attempt to make the IFSS educational as well as fun.
IFSA also holds very important regional meetings, such as the South European Regional Meeting (SERM), North European Regional Meeting (NERM), and Latin American Regional Meeting (LARM). These meetings are the opportunity to discuss the problems in a geographical area. IFSA also tries to help to develop regional meetings in Africa, Asia and North America.
The interim meeting is attended by IFSA Officials and is held midway through the IFSA year. It allows officials to discuss their progress and whether they are meeting their aims set at the IFSS, discuss any problematic situations and work together to learn from each other and improve the work being carried out. IFSA 7 is attended by the Direction and Council, the main aim of preparing for the General Assembly at the IFSS.
(EFI), which permit student to join international scientific congresses, to have the opportunity to present their work during them and to meet some specialist in the different fields of forestry. Between 2005 and 2006, EFI and IFSA cooperated in the framework of the FOPER programme (Forest Policy and Economics Education and Research)
IFSA has also recent partnership with the Commonwealth Forestry Association (CFA) which always offers new opportunities. Finally, IFSA is member of the International Partnership for Forestry Education (IPFE) and helps actively to improve the forestry education around the world. Such partnerships are very important in the preparation of students for their professional life.
in 1973. The aim was to provide forestry students the opportunity to meet their counterparts from other countries, discuss ideas and views and create an atmosphere of solidarity and inspiration.
The first accomplishment of these meetings was the creation of INFOCENTER; an office established to co-ordinate the exchange of information among forestry students. During the 18th IFSS in Lisbon
, Portugal
in 1988, the participants decided to expand the co-operation between forestry students beyond the annual symposium
. At the constitutional assembly of IFSA, the founding member associations approved provisional statutes and elected the first representative organs. INFOCENTER was relocated and took on the official role as IFSA's communicative and informational organ. The following year, the 19th IFSS was organised in the Netherlands
. This symposium turned out to be a great success with 112 participants from 38 countries; it was the first time that students from all continents were represented. The following symposium was organised in Italy (1992). Here the third General Assembly (GA) designated a central organ, the Secretariat, to be responsible for the association's bureaucratic tasks, internal communications and all INFOCENTER duties. The Secretariat, thus, fully assumed its role as IFSA headquarters.
IFSA became a truly worldwide organisation when the new statutes were finally approved in 1994 at the fifth GA during the 22nd IFSS in Switzerland. The association was officially registered as a charity organisation with its seat in Göttingen
, Germany. Five years later, with the adoption of the revised Statutes, Decrees and By-laws, the general assembly moved the seat to Freiburg, Germany.
Approximately 10,000 forestry and related forest science student
Student
A student is a learner, or someone who attends an educational institution. In some nations, the English term is reserved for those who attend university, while a schoolchild under the age of eighteen is called a pupil in English...
s are either directly or indirectly represented, with more than 60 Local Committees in over 40 countries.
IFSA promotes global cooperation among students of forest sciences in order to broaden knowledge and understanding to achieve a sustainable
Sustainability
Sustainability is the capacity to endure. For humans, sustainability is the long-term maintenance of well being, which has environmental, economic, and social dimensions, and encompasses the concept of union, an interdependent relationship and mutual responsible position with all living and non...
future for forest
Forest
A forest, also referred to as a wood or the woods, is an area with a high density of trees. As with cities, depending where you are in the world, what is considered a forest may vary significantly in size and have various classification according to how and what of the forest is composed...
s, and provides a voice for youth in international forest policy processes. For this, IFSA provides a platform for students of forest sciences to enrich their formal education, promote cultural understanding by encouraging collaboration with international partner organisations and to gain practical experiences with a wider and more global perspective. Through its social network
Social network
A social network is a social structure made up of individuals called "nodes", which are tied by one or more specific types of interdependency, such as friendship, kinship, common interest, financial exchange, dislike, sexual relationships, or relationships of beliefs, knowledge or prestige.Social...
, IFSA encourages student meetings, enables participation in scientific debates, and supports the involvement of youth in decision making processes and international forest and environmental policy
Environmental policy
Environmental policy is any [course of] action deliberately taken [or not taken] to manage human activities with a view to prevent, reduce, or mitigate harmful effects on nature and natural resources, and ensuring that man-made changes to the environment do not have harmful effects on...
.
IFSA is officially registered as a charity organisation, with its seat in Freiburg, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
.
Youth representative during international decision making processes regarding environmental and forest policy
As a Youth Non-Governmental Organization (YNGO), IFSA has the status of youth representative for the following events:- United Nations Forum on ForestsUnited Nations Forum on ForestsThe United Nations Forum on Forests ' is a high-level intergovernmental policy forum, composed of all United Nations Member States.-History:...
(UNFF); focal point organisation - United Nations Framework Convention on Climate ChangeUnited Nations Framework Convention on Climate ChangeThe United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an international environmental treaty produced at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development , informally known as the Earth Summit, held in Rio de Janeiro from June 3 to 14, 1992...
(UNFCCC) - Convention on Biological DiversityConvention on Biological DiversityThe Convention on Biological Diversity , known informally as the Biodiversity Convention, is an international legally binding treaty...
(CBD) - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
- Ministerial Conference for the Protection of Forest in Europe (MCPFE); focal point organisation
The organisation promotes the involvement of professional foresters in decision making. In the organisation's opinion, forest scientists are, as a matter of principle, better qualified to evaluate questions of sustainable forest management than specialists from other sciences. For that reason, forestry students are offered the opportunity to understand and actively take part in these international forest policy processes.
Currently, IFSA is preparing to organise a session at the 2009 World Forestry Congress
World Forestry Congress
The World Forestry Congress is the largest and most significant gathering of the world's forestry sector and it has been held every six years since 1926 under the auspices of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations , organized by the government of the host country...
in Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
.
Commissions
IFSA has various working groups (commissions) which allow students the chance to develop new skills, contribute to the running of the organisation and work to achieve the aims of IFSA.The International Processes Commission (IPC) coordinates and prepares the participation of IFSA in the policy processes outlined above. It is also a forum to discuss differing points of view forest policy. The Exchange Program Commission (EP) facilitates student work placements and exchanges between forestry companies, NGOs, research institutions and universities around the world. The Promotion and Publication Commission (P&P) is in charge of the publication of the IFSA News, IFSA's official newsletter. P&P also develops other promotional material for the association such as posters and brochures. The Web Commission is in charge of the maintenance and development of the IFSA website and the online forum. The Language Commission is responsible for the translation of official documents from various languages into English and vice versa. Formerly the "Village Concept Program", the Development Program has the aim of creating programs whereby students can dedicate their time to assist with the ecologically sustainable development
Ecologically sustainable development
Ecologically sustainable development is the environmental component of sustainable development. It can be achieved partially through the use of the precautionary principle, namely that if there are threats of serious or irreversible environmental damage, lack of full scientific certainty should not...
of less economically developed countries. The Fundraising Commission is responsible for raising money for running the association and its activities, as well as providing fundraising packages and advice for members to travel to IFSA events.
International Forestry Students’ Meetings
The International Forestry Students’ Association forms a wide network of forestry students throughout the world, on which the Association bases its main activities — meetings of students at the regional and international levels. These meetings allow better communication between members and facilitate cultural exchange and the making of new friendships.Hosted by a different country each year, the International Forestry Students’ Symposium (IFSS) is the venue for the IFSA General Assembly, during which work from the previous year is reported, decisions are made regarding IFSA activities and new officials for the next year are elected and appointed. During the IFSS, numerous activities are planned to showcase the host country's culture and natural environment, in particular the forests. Lectures from guest speakers and field trips attempt to make the IFSS educational as well as fun.
IFSA also holds very important regional meetings, such as the South European Regional Meeting (SERM), North European Regional Meeting (NERM), and Latin American Regional Meeting (LARM). These meetings are the opportunity to discuss the problems in a geographical area. IFSA also tries to help to develop regional meetings in Africa, Asia and North America.
The interim meeting is attended by IFSA Officials and is held midway through the IFSA year. It allows officials to discuss their progress and whether they are meeting their aims set at the IFSS, discuss any problematic situations and work together to learn from each other and improve the work being carried out. IFSA 7 is attended by the Direction and Council, the main aim of preparing for the General Assembly at the IFSS.
Partnerships with professional organizations
IFSA has very strong partnerships with the International Union of Forest Research organizations (IUFRO) and the European Forest InstituteEuropean Forest Institute
The European Forest Institute is an international organisation established by the European States. By the spring of 2011, a total of 23 European States had ratified the Convention on EFI. With its about 120 Associate and Affiliate Member organisations, five Regional Offices and one Project Centre,...
(EFI), which permit student to join international scientific congresses, to have the opportunity to present their work during them and to meet some specialist in the different fields of forestry. Between 2005 and 2006, EFI and IFSA cooperated in the framework of the FOPER programme (Forest Policy and Economics Education and Research)
IFSA has also recent partnership with the Commonwealth Forestry Association (CFA) which always offers new opportunities. Finally, IFSA is member of the International Partnership for Forestry Education (IPFE) and helps actively to improve the forestry education around the world. Such partnerships are very important in the preparation of students for their professional life.
Organisation
The main team responsible for running IFSA is known as the IFSA 7. This consists of the President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary, and a three person Council. Below these positions are the Heads and Sub-Heads of the Commissions and Regional Representatives. Members fall within one of eight regions, defined by geographical area. These regions are Asia, Northern America, Latin America, Northern Europe, Southern Europe, Northern Africa, Southern Africa and Oceania.History
The first annual meeting of forestry students, the International Forestry Students Symposium was held in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 1973. The aim was to provide forestry students the opportunity to meet their counterparts from other countries, discuss ideas and views and create an atmosphere of solidarity and inspiration.
The first accomplishment of these meetings was the creation of INFOCENTER; an office established to co-ordinate the exchange of information among forestry students. During the 18th IFSS in Lisbon
Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban...
, Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
in 1988, the participants decided to expand the co-operation between forestry students beyond the annual symposium
Symposium
In ancient Greece, the symposium was a drinking party. Literary works that describe or take place at a symposium include two Socratic dialogues, Plato's Symposium and Xenophon's Symposium, as well as a number of Greek poems such as the elegies of Theognis of Megara...
. At the constitutional assembly of IFSA, the founding member associations approved provisional statutes and elected the first representative organs. INFOCENTER was relocated and took on the official role as IFSA's communicative and informational organ. The following year, the 19th IFSS was organised in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
. This symposium turned out to be a great success with 112 participants from 38 countries; it was the first time that students from all continents were represented. The following symposium was organised in Italy (1992). Here the third General Assembly (GA) designated a central organ, the Secretariat, to be responsible for the association's bureaucratic tasks, internal communications and all INFOCENTER duties. The Secretariat, thus, fully assumed its role as IFSA headquarters.
IFSA became a truly worldwide organisation when the new statutes were finally approved in 1994 at the fifth GA during the 22nd IFSS in Switzerland. The association was officially registered as a charity organisation with its seat in Göttingen
Göttingen
Göttingen is a university town in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is the capital of the district of Göttingen. The Leine river runs through the town. In 2006 the population was 129,686.-General information:...
, Germany. Five years later, with the adoption of the revised Statutes, Decrees and By-laws, the general assembly moved the seat to Freiburg, Germany.