During the IFES Convention in Paris June 2009, the General Assembly decided a fundamental structural reform of IFES. In the future, in addition to national associations also individual companies with international operations can become full members of IFES, no matter whether the company is a member of a national federation or not. The "Associate Members" (enterprises from countries with national association) will also become full members with voting rights. As a full member of IFES, interested companies can fulfil tasks within IFES or participate actively in working groups, thus strengthening both IFES as a whole and realizing their personal goals.
National associations will remain full members - they will have important functions as "public relations agencies" and "Knowledge Centers". IFES can, for instance, assign the associations to collect statistical data or realize surveys, etc. The membership fee for associations will be reduced.

This new structure will ensure that more members actively participate in IFES (in working groups, the Bureau, etc). Thus IFES will gain more vitality, networking will be further strengthened and IFES as an association will be much more flexible also what the content of its work (such as subjects for conventions, etc.) is concerned. The aspect of "sharing business" will become more important and the function of IFES as a "Knowledge Center" will also be strengthened.
More informations: www.ifesnet.com