| The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) History & Organizational Structure from A-Z Source: ifoam.org The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) is a grassroots and democratic organization that currently unites 750 member organizations in 116 countries. In order to achieve its mission and address the complexity of the various components of the organic agricultural movement worldwide, IFOAM has established official committees and groups with very specific purposes, from the development of standards to the facilitation of Organic Agriculture in developing countries. The IFOAM General Assembly serves at the foundation of IFOAM. It elects the World Board for a three year term. The World Board appoints members to official committees, working groups and task forces based upon the recommendation of the IFOAM membership, and IFOAM member organizations also establish regional groups and sector specific interest groups. History of IFOAM The 30-year-plus history of IFOAM has proven that the proponents of organic agriculture embody an impressive agent of social and ecological revolution. It all started in 1972 when the President of the French farmers' organization, Nature et Progrès conceived of a worldwide appeal to come together to ensure a future for organic agriculture and from there, people working in alternative agriculture banded together from, initially, as far apart as India and England. The German-speaking countries, as well as France, were also sites of the youngest IFOAM activities.Canada, too, produced key early participation, and by the 80s, IFOAM had leaders in the US, attracted involvement from African agents of organic agriculture, and launched a unique and fruitful relationship with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Throughout the 90s, IFOAM made moves to decentralize its governance by establishing regional bodies and organized the first major international conference on environmental issues after the 1992 UNCED in Rio, where IFOAM was an active proponent of the organic way. Throughout its past, the Federation has consistently succeeded at: fostering active debate, networking beyond the borders of class, gender, and region; continually improving organizational structure, policies, standards; attracting volunteers and overcoming financial challenges; working with the diversity of organic movements; producing standards which provided a model for numerous major laws and voluntary standards, (Codex Alimentarius, EU, FAO); and integrating scientific expertise and business sense into the emotional realm of organic agriculture. These themes are at the heart of IFOAM's extensive scope and impact. Today, for instance, the IFOAM Basic Standards are translated in 18 languages! Though characterized by constant change, the Federation's history is ultimately about staying power, and IFOAM has proven to be unique among worldwide efforts to counter the Green Revolution in the reach and depth of its impact.It was one of IFOAM's founders, Eve Balfour, who said that the characteristics of truly sustainable agriculture can be summed up with the word, "permanence," and the same should be said about the fate of the leader, uniter, and assistor of the world's organic agriculture movements.Firmly rooted in the terrain of its past, IFOAM looks ahead to an equally rich future determined by the nurture of individuals and groups such as members, internal assemblages, and outside partners. The IFOAM World Board has established the following official structures: The Norms Management Committee, which includes members of the Standards Committee and the Accreditation Criteria Committee The FAO Liaison Office Various Working Groups and temporary Task Forces IFOAM Regional Groups IFOAM member organizations have also established professional bodies such as the IFOAM Organic Trade Forum, the Organic Retailers Association, the IFOAM Aquaculture Group and the IFOAM Forum of Consultants and initiatives like the Farmers' Group. Inside IFOAM To fulfill its mission as facilitator of the worldwide organic movement, IFOAM depends on a system of internal structures and individuals operating in response to the Federation's evolving plans and objectives. IFOAM guides organic movements toward the six central goals stipulated in our Program 2011, which also provides a work plan for the four-year period. The core themes developed by the World Board for the current period are: Be the international authority and most effective voice on all matters organic; Increase market share for organic products and access to them at local, regional and international levels; Enhance capacity of the organic sector to sustain growth and development; Create "think spaces" to cultivate the organic future; Ensure an effectively managed organization with sufficient and sustainable resources. As the Board is elected by the General Assembly, these two bodies exist in a dynamic relationship and our work plans and goals are only adopted after input from both entities. In addition, a number of committees serve to ensure thorough and efficient work on specific subject areas, while staff at the Head Office manage the overall functioning of the Federation. As an independent, global, non-profit organization with over 750 member organizations, IFOAM has a rich history that spans over three decades. Our development will continues on all levels, from objectives to human resources. Mission and Goals IFOAM's mission is leading, uniting and assisting the organic movement in its full diversity. Our goal is the worldwide adoption of ecologically, socially and economically sound systems that are based on the principles of Organic Agriculture. Leading the organic movements worldwide, IFOAM implements the will of its broad based constituency - from farmers' organizations to multinational certification agencies, ensuring the credibility and longevity of Organic Agriculture as a means to ecological, economic and social sustainability. Uniting the organic world, IFOAM provides platforms to stakeholders for a wide range of purposes. Through international conferences, committee meetings, and other forums, IFOAM facilitates the ongoing and constructive dialogue about the future and status of organic agriculture. Assisting its membership, IFOAM implements specific projects that facilitate the adoption of Organic Agriculture, particularly in developing countries. IFOAM also represents the organic agriculture movements at United Nations and other intergovernmental agencies. Goals In order to fulfill its mission, five goals were set by the World Board for the medium term: IFOAM builds the global platform for the organic movement IFOAM develops, communicates and defends the principles of organic agriculture IFOAM advocates and facilitates the adoption of organic agriculture IFOAM promotes the development of organic markets IFOAM ensures an effectively managed organization with sufficient and sustainable resources The IFOAM Organizational Structure The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) is a grassroots and democratic organization that currently unites 750 member organizations in 116 countries. In order to achieve its mission and address the complexity of the various components of the organic agricultural movement worldwide, IFOAM has established official committees and groups with very specific purposes, from the development of standards to the facilitation of Organic Agriculture in developing countries. The IFOAM General Assembly serves at the foundation of IFOAM. It elects the World Board for a three year term. The World Board appoints members to official committees, working groups and task forces based upon the recommendation of the IFOAM membership, and IFOAM member organizations also establish regional groups and sector specific interest groups. The IFOAM World Board has established the following official structures: The Norms Management Committee, which includes members of the Standards Committee and the Accreditation Criteria Committee The FAO Liaison Office Various Working Groups and temporary Task Forces IFOAM Regional Groups IFOAM member organizations have also established professional bodies such as the IFOAM Organic Trade Forum, the Organic Retailers Association, the IFOAM Aquaculture Group and the IFOAM Forum of Consultants and initiatives like the Farmers' Group. New IFOAM World Board elected at the General Assembly in Korea, October 4, 2011 President: Andre Leu is Chair of the Organic Federation of Australia. Its role is to develop the Australian organic sector into a major component of Australian agriculture that delivers benefits to consumers, producers and the Australian environment. The major activity has been working with the Australian Government on a regulatory system for organic products. This system will allow the organic sector control over standards setting with the regulators enforcing it. Andre was the Chair of the Far North Queensland Lychee Growers Association. Andre is an organic farmer, growing tropical fruits in Daintree, Queensland. He has over 36 years of experience in all areas of Organic Agriculture from growing, pest control, weed management, marketing, post harvest, transport, grower organizations, developing new crops and education in Australia and in many other countries. Vice President: Gabi Soto, Costa Rica Gabi Soto is leader of the National Organic Farmers Association (ANAO) in Costa Rica for over 10 years promoting trainings in organic farming at all levels and developing national regulations on organic certification. She dedicated her life to support and live from Organic Agriculture from many different perspectives: certification, research, training, farming, marketing and policy making. She became an organic inspector in 1993 and learned from organic farmers all over Latin America. She later became inspector trainer for the Independent Organic Inspectors Association (IOIA) and transmitted and trained many inspectors in the region. With a team of colleagues, she also developed Costa Rica's National Certification Agency (EcoLOGICA), of which she has been the president for over 12 years. With the organic movement in Costa Rica (MAOCO), the government has declared organic farming as the as state priority for development, with a strong regulation to promote organic farming. Vice President: Roberto Ugas, Peru Roberto Ugas is a Peruvian agronomist with studies in Peru, The Netherlands and Japan. He is lecturer and researcher in horticulture at Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, as well as a consultant in rural development, agroecology, agrobiodiversity and organic agriculture. Roberto is main advisor to Peru's National Association of Ecological Farmers (ANPE) and a member of the National Commission for Organic Products (CONAPO), the advisory board that drafted the first organic regulation in the country. He acts as representative of La Molina for several national and international agreements, including those with ANPE and Slow Food. He is a member of several scientific societies, including ISOFAR and SOCLA, and of EducAndes, which promotes education for sustainable development, and has served in the board of SEPIA, a think tank dealing with agriculture and economy. Roberto is a member of GALCI, IFOAM's regional group in Latin America and for 15 years was involved with IFOAM's Accreditation Programme and, later, with IOAS, having been chair of the Accreditation Committee. He was also a member of the task force that drafted the principles and the definition of organic agriculture. Statutory rules governing the World Board: Elections The World Board chooses an Executive Board (see §8) from amongst the elected members before the end of the General Assembly. The World Board may co-opt up to three further World Board members. The World Board may elect additional Executive Board members and replace them as appropriate during the term. World Board The World Board decides all issues not yet determined by the General Assembly. The World Board establishes rules of procedure for the World and Executive Board and the General Assembly, which are to be approved by the General Assembly. The World Board may set up Working Groups, Committees, and regional or thematic task groups. It may also delegate specific tasks to such bodies or to individuals. The World Board takes decisions by simple majority with at least half of the members present and by open vote. On the request of three World Board members a meeting is called with six weeks notice. Executive Board The Executive Board is constituted by three to five members of the World Board: The President and two to four Vice-Presidents. The Executive Board represents the Federation, executes the decisions of the General Assembly and World Board, decides on issues not yet decided upon by the General Assembly or the World Board, reviews the organization performance and initiates the remedy of short-comings. Executive Board decisions are taken by simple majority with at least half of the members present and by open vote. IFOAM is legally represented by two members of the Executive Board acting jointly. Join IFOAM: Together we are strong IFOAM is the only international umbrella organization for the organic world, uniting more than 750 Affiliates in 115 countries, all stakeholders contributing to the organic vision. This allows IFOAM to unite, lead and assist the organic movement in its full diversity, while providing a common voice on relevant organic issues. As such, IFOAM is providing services that are relevant to the organic movement for achieving its vision by: Safeguarding a common organic identity (e.g. through the IFOAM Organic Guarantee System) Pushing for the recognition of the benefits of organic in international fora (e.g. through IFOAM advocacy campaigns) Harmonizing standards (e.g. through the Global Organic Market Access Project) Providing programmatic solutions (e.g. the development of standards in East Africa through IFOAM OSEA Project) Building organic leaders' capacity (e.g. through the IFOAM Academy for organic excellence) By joining IFOAM, you make a difference and help us to strengthen the organic movement. You also enjoy a number of benefits and services as part of the network: IFOAM's Advocacy Work: See Organic Agriculture represented in international policy debates and be positioned as a solution for global changes; Networking Opportunities: Exchange ideas in a community of like-minder peers and develop partnerships; Global Organic Decision Making: Participate in the processes shaping the agenda for the global organic movement; Resources & Discounts: IFOAM is a vast repository of knowledge that it shares via its website, publications and events. Benefit from discounts of typically 50%; Partnering Opportunities: Develop, with IFOAM, joint projects or initiatives; Visibility: Be listed on our website and see your logo appear in the Directory. Share your stories through our publications or host an IFOAM event. Be part of the global organic movement. Many of our Affiliates join IFOAM to support a cause they believe in. They are proud to be part. Whatever YOUR reason for joining IFOAM, your membership helps the organic movement to pursue its mission. Make a difference. Apply today! Head Office Contact Details: IFOAM Head Office Phone: +49-228-92650-10 Email: headoffice[at]ifoam.org More information: http://www.ifoam.org Tip: OrganicPortal Deutschland - Bio Landwirtschaft, Verbund & Zertifizierung Informationen 17.01.2012 TOP 3 most read news: India: Eco-tourism, organic farming key areas says Nobel Laureate Joseph E Stiglitz of Columbia University Besuchen Sie OrganicPortal Newsroom Deutschland
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News - The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) History & Organizational Structure from A-Z
Written by Niels Thrap
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