International Federation of Environmental Health Information for candidates 1. Introduction 1.1 This document sets out the protocol and guidance for the contribution of the CIEH to the International Federation of Environmental Health. 2. IFEH 2.1 The Federation works to disseminate knowledge concerning environmental health and promote co-operation between countries where environmental health issues are transboundary. It promotes the interchange of people working in this sector and the exchange of Member's publications of a scientific and technical nature. Amongst other things, the Federation seeks to provide means of exchanging information and experience on environmental health, to hold Congresses and meetings to discuss subjects relevant to environmental health science and administration, to represent the interests of environmental health to state agencies, national governments and international organisations and to promote field studies of environmental health control. The IFEH seeks to develop and agree policies to which all member organisations can subscribe. There are nine IFEH policies http://www.ifeh.org/about.policies.html The IFEH works predominantly through its regional groups. These vary in the extent of their activity but the European Federation of Environmental Health has consistently been the most active. A number of initiatives have been developed in Europe including the twinning arrangements which have facilitated the exchange of professionals between member organisations. Many CIEH student members have benefitted from these. Some of the European members have been involved in supporting new entrants to European Community with strong relationships developed with the Baltic States, specifically Latvia and Lithuania. Portugal and Spain have both recently joined the IFEH. 2.2 Membership of the Federation is primarily made up of national associations representing the interests of environmental health professionals throughout the World. Other grades of membership are available to organisations with an interest in environmental health or who are involved in the educational field. Individual persons may show their support for the Federation by becoming an Individual Associate Member. 2.3 Further details of the IFEH objectives and activities can be found in the appendix and on their website: http://www.ifeh.org/ 1
3. CIEH 3.1 The CIEH is a member organisation of the IFEH and has three representative places on the IFEH Council. The CIEH supports the IFEH objectives stated in alignment with the CIEH International Strategy. Graham Jukes, Chief executive of the CIEH is company secretary 3.2 The CIEH International Strategy aims to promote effective environmental health practice overseas by its own actions and to support its members to do the same and works within four themes: To provide help to poorer and less developed countries to build their environmental health capacity To grow the overseas network of accredited university and college programmes To grow the number of overseas members To increase the uptake of training and other commercial products beyond the UK In particular the CIEH International Strategy states the CIEH shall play an active role within the International Federation of Environmental Health (IFEH) to deliver the agreed objectives and to promote the CIEH mission and charitable objects. In overseas countries where the CIEH operates and where there is already a member association of the IFEH, CIEH will work in co-operation with that body. In developing environmental health capacity the CIEH supports the establishment and growth of local professional associations. 4. IFEH Representatives 4.1 The Board of Trustees is responsible for deciding the representatives of the CIEH for IFEH. Currently the CIEH has three representative places on the IFEH Council. These positions will be available to the following CIEH members: CIEH President this enables a high level ambassadorial representation of CIEH policy commitment. The President is able to link directly to the Board of Trustees and provide the gravitas required at International level. One other member appointed by the International Special Interest Group (ISIG)- a member selected by the ISIG and provides a direct link to the expertise and experience within the profession and connectivity with the CIEH International Strategy. Stephen Cooper is currently the IFEH Treasurer and is supported in this role by the CIEH. This position will revert back to an ISIG appointed position at the termination of the honorary position. 4.2 The appointments will be for a term of three years with the exception of any honorary positions and will be staggered to ensure continuity. 5. Role of IFEH Representative 5.1 The role of the IFEH representatives in collaboration is to represent the views and perspectives of the CIEH on international environmental health matters at a strategic level, engaging with and in alignment with the CIEH International Strategy, CIEH 2
delivery mechanisms and the objectives of the IFEH. The IFEH representatives will support CIEH policy positions and the implementation of the CIEH charitable mission and Corporate Plan. 5.2 The IFEH representatives will work to support the delivery of the IFEH strategic plan and inform developments and implementation of the CIEH International Strategy. The IFEH representatives will also be the CIEH representatives on the European Federation of Environmental Health. Where necessary the representatives will utilise the proxy process. 5.3 The IFEH representatives will report to the Board of Trustees and will bring forward issues of interest and debate to the relevant committees, the Assembly of Representatives and to the International Specialist Interest Group as appropriate. 5.4 The volunteer role description provides more information on the expected role of the IFEH representative positions. 5.5 In all countries where the CIEH has commercial activities and interests and which have a member association of the IFEH, the membership association (body) of that country will always be the primary contributor to IFEH on behalf of that country. The CIEH IFEH representatives will always work in co-operation with the relevant country s membership organisation. 5.6 The CIEH IFEH business plan and activities of the CIEH IFEH Representatives will operate within the agreed financial budgets and financial guidance of the CIEH. Appendix THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH THE OBJECTIVES OF THE FEDERATION. The Federation s objects are: (a) to provide a focal point for national organisations of practitioners, whether in state, or local government, or private employment, whose concern is the care of the environment in the interests of the public health; (b) to provide a means of exchanging information on environmental health matters, including systems of organisation and management; (c) to publish an international journal of environmental health and other publications relating to environmental health; (d) to hold congresses and other meetings for the consideration and discussion of subjects relating to environmental health; (e) to represent the interests of environmental health to national governments, state agencies and international organisations; 3
(f) to promote the study of environmental health; (g) to exchange information about training and educational methods; (h) to promote field studies of environmental health control and research and disseminate knowledge concerning environmental health; (i) to co-operate with other organisations working on matters related to environmental health; (j) to promote co-operation between countries in matters of environmental health; (k) to promote the interchange of persons engaged in environmental health work; (l) to exchange publications of a technical, scientific and educational nature relating to environmental health produced by members of the Federation, and publicity material produced for environmental health education purposes; (m) to afford government departments, international organisations, professional and academic institutions and trade associations, facilities for ascertaining the collective views of national organisations; (n) to hold examinations and to grant and award prizes and certificates on the result of the examination to any student for proficiency in subjects relating to the science of environmental health and kindred subjects; (o) to borrow and raise money in such manner as the Federation may think fit for all or any or more of the objects of the Federation; (p) to endow and receive property for the endowment of a library, laboratory or other institution; (q) to organise, finance and maintain a development fund for the fulfilment of specific projects approved by the Council or by members of the Federation in General Meeting and to discharge the requirements of that project provided always that such project is consistent with the foregoing objects or any of them and the funding source is approved by a regulation passed by the Council in accordance with Article 20; (r) to make grants or loans to any organisation (and whether a member organisation or otherwise) for the purposes of furthering the foregoing objects or any of them (but not further or otherwise); (s) to do alone or in conjunction with others, the foregoing and all such other lawful things, in any manner whatsoever consistent with the provisions of this Memorandum of Association and the Articles of Association of the Federation from time to time in force (and in this Memorandum of Association, referred to as the Articles ) Volunteer job role description IFEH Representative Main purpose of role: to represent the interests of the CIEH and to play an active role within the International Federation of Environmental Health (IFEH) and the European 4
Federation of Environmental Health (EFEH) to deliver the agreed objectives within the CIEH International Strategy and to promote the CIEH mission and charitable objects. Key objectives: To implement the IFEH Strategic plan and support the CIEH International Strategy. To work in co-operation with other IFEH and EFEH member organisations and with other environmental health related member associations in other countries To liaise and work closely with the International Special Interest Group To bring forward issues for debate to the Board of Trustees, relevant committees and the Assembly as appropriate. To provide regular reports and information on achievements to CIEH governing structures and to the membership. To act as an ambassador for CIEH and the environmental health profession To acknowledge and respect the specific arrangements in relation to Scotland and the work of REHIS in relation to IFEH matters. Person specification: The following are essential qualities in the post-holder: Up to date knowledge of environmental health and the key challenges that face the profession and the organisation particularly in the international setting Excellent interpersonal skills Exercise diplomacy and advocacy skills Committed to furthering the aims of the CIEH and environmental health generally Supportive home environment to provide individual support and occasional travel overseas. 5