IFIP: Its Origins, Mission and Finances
 {Excerpts from "INFORMATION BULLETIN"(2003) and STATUTES of IFIP.}

[Origins]

  IFIP traces its roots to the very first major international
  conference on computers and computing which was held in Paris in
  1959 under the auspices of UNESCO. Representatives of the main
  computer societies active in computing got together at that meeting
  to explore ways of building on the achievements of the
  conference. As a result thirteen national computer societies agreed
  to found in 1960 an international federation and named it IFIP: the
  International Federation for Information Processing.

  IFIP”Ēs principal aims were and are to foster international
  cooperation, to stimulate research, development and applications and
  to encourage education and the dissemination and exchange of
  information on all aspects of computing and communication.

  IFIP”Ēs creation was well timed. In the 1960s there began a
  veritable explosion in the growth of the computer industry and in
  the application of its products. Within the life-span of IFIP
  information technology (as it is widely known today) has become a
  potent instrument affecting people in everything from their
  education and work to their leisure and in their homes. It is a
  powerful tool in science and engineering, in commerce and industry,
  in education and administration and in entertainment.

  Today IFIP has 48 organizations as Full Members, 3 Corresponding
  Members and 10 Affiliate Members, representing countries rom all
  regions of the world.

[IFIP”Ēs Aims and its NPO Nature]

  The Interntional Federation for Information Processing shall be
  constituted as a non-profit organization with the following basic
  aims:

  a) to promote Information Science and Technology;
  b) to advance international cooperation in the field of Information Processing;
  c) to stimulate reseach, development and application of Information
     Processing in science and human activity;
  d) to further the dissemination and exchange of information on Information Processing;
  e) to encourage education in Information Processing.

  IFIP does not take any account of the political, social or economic
  aspects of its Member organizations because IFIP is totally
  dedicated to the transfer of scientific and technical information
  and experience.

  IFIP work is based on volunteers who cover their own expenses in
  respect to their attendance at meetings.

  Developing nations are of special concern to IFIP. It is a major and
  important task to contribute to technology transfer between these
  nations and developed nations and newly industrialized countries.

  Meetings must be held in countries which will grant visas for all
  participants as IFIP does not address itself to political issues.

[IFIP”Ēs Mission]
 
  IFIP”Ēs mission is to be the leading, truly international,
  apolitical organization which encourages and assists in the
  development, exploitation and application of Information Technology
  for the benefit of all people.

  Principal Elements of IFIP”Ēs Mission:

  1. To stimulate, encourage and participate in research, development
     and application of Information Technology (IT) and to foster
     international cooperation in these activities.

  2. To provide a meeting place where national IT Societies can
     discuss and plan courses of action on issues in our field which
     are of international significance and thereby to forge
     increasingly strong links between them and with IFIP.

  3. To promote international cooperation directly and through
     national IT Societies in a free environment between individuals,
     national and international governmental bodies and kindred
     scientific and professional organizations.

  4. To pay special attention to the needs of developing countries and
   to assist them in appropriate ways to secure the optimum benefit
   from the application of IT.

  5. To promote professionalism, incorporating high standards of
     ethics and conduct, among all IT participants.

  6. To provide a forum for assessing the social consequences of IT
     applications; to campaign for the safe and beneficial development
     and use of IT and the protection of people from abuse through its
     improper application.

  7. To foster and facilitate cooperation between academics, the IT
     industry and governmental bodies and to seek to represent the
     interest of users.

  8. To provide a vehicle for work on the international aspects of IT
     development and application including the necessary preparatory
     work for the generation of international standards.

  9. To contribute to the formulation of the education and training
     needed by IT practitioners, users and the public at large.

[IFIP Finances]

  The Federation shall be financed by Dues (of the Member Societies),
  by royalities from publications, interest on funds, contributions,
  and surplus from events such as congresses, conferences and
  symposia, including funds arising from activities of subordinate
  bodies. The IFIP General Assembly shall decide on the scale of
  annual dues. It may accept donations and subsidies.