ABOUT THE
INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENT FORUM
Information about the IEF, its organization and activities
The IEF is a Baha'i-inspired professional organization for environment and sustainability
ANNUAL CONFERENCES
One of the major activities of the IEF is its annual conferences, which are often held in partnership with other organizations and events, and frequently rotate between continents to give more members a chance to participate. For members who cannot attend, some form of e-conference is organized over the Internet so that everyone can contribute.
Next Conference
to be announced, probably May 2020
Reports of Past Conferences
Rotorua, New Zealand, 7-11 April 2019
de Poort, The Netherlands, 14-17 April 2017
Santa Cruz, Bolivia, 7-9 October 2016
UNESCO, Paris, France, 10-11 March 2015
Toronto, Canada, 7-10 August 2014
Barcelona, Spain, 3-6 October 2013
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 13-22 June 2012
Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, 10-11 December 2011
Brighton, United Kingdom, 15-18 December 2010
Washington, D.C., USA, 13-16 August 2009
dePoort, The Netherlands, 18-21 September 2008
Ottawa, Canada, 12-14 October 2007
Oxford, England, 15-17 September 2006
Orlando, Florida, USA, 14-15 December 2005
Thessaloniki, Greece, 15-17 October 2004
Orlando, Florida, USA, 17-21 December 2003
Johannesburg, South Africa, 27 August-3 September 2002
Czech Republic, 19-21 October 2001
Reports of other IEF-organized meetings
IEF Seminar, Orlando, Florida, December 2004
Association for Baha'i Studies (North America) - 2004 Conference Workshop
IEF Seminar, Orlando, Florida, 12 December 2001
Environmental Interest Group Networking Session
at the Baha'i Conference on Social and Economic Development for the Americas
Orlando, Florida - December 1999
OUTREACH AND PARTNERSHIPS
see the Activities page for details
COLLABORATION WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
EVENTS
Activities on environment and sustainable development in which members may wish to participate
MEMBERSHIP
Anyone sympathetic to the Bahá'í teachings relevant to the environment and sustainable development may apply for membership in the IEF. See the requirements for membership on the membership page.
ORGANIZATION OF IEF
While the IEF is a "virtual" organization without legal status, it does operate according to statutes that define its purpose and organization. A Governing Board elected at an Annual General Assembly guides the IEF, decides on membership, and organizes its activities.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The annual General Assembly, held during the annual Conference, is the opportunity for the membership to elect the Governing Board of the IEF, review the activities of the past year as described in the Annual Report, consult on future activities and make recommendations to the Governing Board. Members can participate in person, over e-mail, or by an Internet connection when conditions permit.
General Assembly 1 - 1997
General Assembly 2 - 1998
General Assembly 3 - 1999
General Assembly 4 - 2000
General Assembly 5 - 2001
General Assembly 6 - 2002
General Assembly 7 - 2003
General Assembly 8 - 2004
General Assembly 9 - 2005
General Assembly 10 - 2006
General Assembly 11 - 2007
General Assembly 12 - 2008
General Assembly 13 - 2009
General Assembly 14 - 2010
General Assembly 15 - 2011
General Assembly 16 - 2012
General Assembly 17 - 2013
General Assembly 18 - 2014
General Assembly 19 - 2015
General Assembly 20 - 2016
General Assembly 21 - 2017
General Assembly 22 - 2018
General Assembly 23 - 2019
ANNUAL REPORTS
Annual Reports provide a record of the activities of IEF during the preceding year, as reported to the Annual General Assembly.
Annual Report 1997-1998
Annual Report 1998-1999
Annual Report 1999-2000
Annual Report 2000-2001
Annual Report 2001-2002
Annual Report 2002-2003
Annual Report 2003-2004
Annual Report 2004-2005
Annual Report 2005-2006
Annual Report 2006-2007
Annual Report 2007-2008
Annual Report 2008-2009
Annual Report 2009-2010
Annual Report 2010-2011
Annual Report 2011-2012
Annual Report 2012-2013
Annual Report 2013-2014
Annual Report 2014-2015
Annual Report 2015-2016
Annual Report 2016-2017
Annual Report 2017-2018
Annual Report 2018-2019
GOVERNING BOARD
The Governing Board is elected each year by the world-wide membership by e-voting and during the General Assembly
Arthur Dahl (Switzerland) - President
Sylvia Karlsson-Vinkhuyzen (Netherlands)
Laurent Mesbah (Bosnia-Herzegovina)
Wendi Momen (United Kingdom)
Christine Muller (USA)
Victoria Thoresen (Norway)
Halldor Thorgeirsson (Iceland)
While the IEF is open to members of all faiths and no faith, it is inspired by the principles and values of the Bahá'í Faith, and works to apply these principles to the practical problems of sustainable development and the environment facing the world today.