ABOUT THE
INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENT FORUM
Information about the IEF, its organization and activities
The International Environment Forum, as a Bahá'í-inspired professional organization for environment and sustainability, shares and upholds the principles and ideals of the Bahá'í Faith and supports its efforts to establish and promote peace, the unity of the human race, and an ever-advancing world civilization that preserves the ecological balance of the planet.
The Bahá'í Writings warn of the dangers of material civilization carried to excess, enjoin moderation, emphasize the oneness of humankind, and support ecological principles such as the interrelatedness of all things, unity in diversity, and the fundamental reality of increasing levels of cooperation, complexity and reciprocity across the vast extent of creation. The Bahá'í Faith considers the preservation of the ecological balance at all levels in the world to be of vital concern to all humanity, and urges action for the environment and sustainable development from the local to the global level in ways that are in harmony with the rhythm of life in the community. Our inner life cannot be separated from the environment around us, the two being intimately interrelated, requiring that environmental and sustainable development issues also be addressed at the level of fundamental ethical and moral values and principles.
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
A virtual and hybrid conference at Stockholm+50, late May-early June 2022
Reports of Past Conferences
A virtual conference from India, 11-12 July 2020
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
JOINING THE IEF
As a Bahá'í-inspired professional organization, membership in the IEF is open to those who carry out environment or sustainable development activities, or who have a special interest in these areas, and who are also familiar with the ethical and social principles in the Bahá'í Writings, who want to deepen their appreciation and understanding of the guidance enshrined in those Writings, and who commit to exploring the ways and means of implementing these principles in the practice of such activities.
IEF members generate and promote a discourse on how the Bahá'í teachings can be applied to the environmental challenges facing the world; encourage or participate in projects and initiatives in accord with those principles, in collaboration with organizations and individuals who are active in areas of environment and sustainable development, while being sensitive to the capacity of projects to receive such help; advise governments, non-governmental organizations, businesses and communities in promoting the sustainable use of resources and protecting the environment; promote a greater awareness of environmental issues, and stimulate environmental education amongst children, youth and adults, so that they can contribute more effectively to practical actions; increase awareness within communities of the need for sustainable and environmentally sound development; support networking among individuals and groups at the local, national, regional and international levels on issues of environment and sustainable development; and encourage and advise young people who plan to study or work in the fields of environment or sustainable development in the spirit of the Bahá'í teachings.
Associates support and participate in all of the above activities, but without voting membership. The Governing Board may accept Associates as Members after they demonstrate their direct involvement in some IEF activities.
For those simply interested in learning more about the environment and sustainability, all the results of IEF activities are made available on the IEF website. It is possible to apply to become a Registered User by completing the user application form on the website. It is also possible to request a free subscription to the monthly IEF newsletter LEAVES.
See the requirements on the Joining the IEF page.
Directory of Members
(accessible to members only after login)
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, and applies Bahá'í principles of administration. 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, generally 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
General Assembly 24 - 2020
General Assembly 25 - 2021
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
Annual Report 2019-2020
Annual Report 2020-2021
GOVERNING BOARD
The Governing Board is elected each year by the world-wide membership without nominations or campaigning 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) - General Secretary
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.