History of the IFEH latest

HISTORY
OF

THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (IFEH)

Page 1 of 31 HISTORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (IFEH)

COMPILED BY: JERRY CHAKA

TABLE OF CONTENTS

NO. SUBJECT PAGE
1. Background 3 of 29
2. Formulation of the International Federation of Environmental Health 3 of 29
3. Growth of the International Federation of Environmental Health 4 of 29
4. Council of the Federation and meeting Procedures and Protocols 5 of 29
4.1. Agenda and Documentation for Council Meetings 6 of 29
4.2. Council Meetings 6 of 29
5. Membership of the Federation 7 of 29
5.1. Full Members 7 of 29
5.2. Associate Membership 7 of 29
5.3. Sustaining Subscribers 8 of 29
6. Means of Communication 8-9 of 29
7. The Work Programme 10 of 29
8. Member Exchange Programme 11 of 29
9. World Congresses and Presidents of the International Federation of 11 of 29
Environmental Health
10. The Inaugural World Congress of Environmental Health 12 of 29
11 Hedgerow Bursary
12. Regional Groups 13 of 29
13. World Environmental Health Days 14 of 29
14. World Academic Environmental Health Congresses 15 of 29
15. IFEH Sustainable Indicator Initiative 15 of 29
16. Special Interest Groups of IFEH 16 of 29
17. IFEH Recognition Awards 17 of 29
17.1. The Prestigious Eric Foskett Award 17 of 29
17.2. Recipients of the Eric Foskett Award 17-23 of 29
17.3. Roy Emmerson Awards 23 of 29
17.4. Recipients of Roy Emmerson Award 23 of 29
18 Strategic Planning 24-25 of 29

Page 2 of 31 HISTORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (IFEH)

COMPILED BY: JERRY CHAKA

19. Plan of Action, Action of the Federation 2019-2021 26-28 of 29
20. Conclusion 29 of 29

HISTORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(IFEH)

BACKGROUND
The International Federation of Environmental Health (IFEH) was established on 25 September
1985.It is an organisation whose full members are national associations representing the interest of
environmental health professionals throughout the world.

The federation is registered and controlled by United Kingdom Company law as a company limited by
guarantee and having no shareholders. It was registered as a company in terms of UK Company Law.

Environmental health can be defined as the branch of public health that focuses on the relationships
between people and their environment, promotes human health and well-being and foster healthy and
safe communities.

Environmental Health is practised in almost every part of the world. It is informed by more or less the
same environmental health factors though there may be slight and insignificant variances in approach
in various countries, depending on country and environmental health challenges. These environmental
health challenges have no boundaries.

The International Federation of Environmental Health (IFEH) was formed as a global body of
Environmental Health Professionals, organised in National Organisations representing these
professionals. The main objectives of the International Federation of Environmental Health is:

 To provide a focal point for national organisations of environmental health whose concern is the
control of environments in the interest of public health;

 To provide a means of exchanging information on environmental health matters;
 To represent the interest of environmental health in international organisations, state agencies and

Page 3 of 31 HISTORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (IFEH)

COMPILED BY: JERRY CHAKA

world bodies;
 To cooperate with other organisations working in matters relating to environmental health

FORMATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL
HEALTH

The Institution of Environmental Health Officers (IEHO) initiated the International Federation of
Environmental Health in the United Kingdom (UK) in January 1982 at their Council meeting. The
IEHO then, under the new leadership of Erick W. Foskett agreed to establish this organisation in the
interest of promoting global environmental health. Erick W. Foskett was given the mandate of
approaching national organisations from other countries, and Erick Foskett then approached the Royal
Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS) and the Environmental Health Association of
Ireland who joined hands to form this world body and Erick Foskett became the first Honorary
Executive Secretary of the IFEH.

The IFEH was inaugurated in 1985 at the IEHO Annual Congress meeting at the Heatland Hotel,
Bournemouth, UK, hosted by Roy Emerson who was then the President of IEHO ( later known as the
Chartered Institute of Environmental Health), UK. The inauguration was attended by five national
organisations namely:
 the Institute of Environmental Health Officers, UK;
 the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland;
 the Environmental Health officers Association of Ireland;
 the Malaysian Association of Health Association of Health Inspectors and;
 the Swedish Environmental Health Officers Association.

The five organisations took a decision to register the IFEH as a company limited by guarantee
according to the United Kingdom Law and the requisition for the registration was signed by twenty
one (21) environmental health officers, seven each from IEHO, EHOA and REHIS. The Institution of
Environmental Health Officers, UK ensured that its signatories included representatives from England,
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Page 4 of 31 HISTORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (IFEH)

COMPILED BY: JERRY CHAKA

The registration was completed on the 06 June 1986 and the Federation became a company limited by
guarantee with the registered number 2026062 under United Kingdom Company Law. The
Memorandum and Articles of Association approved by the company became the Federation’s
Constitution.

GROWTH OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

Contact with other environmental health associations in other parts of the world was then established
to expand membership of IFEH to other parts of the world. The Australia Institute of Health Surveyors
(AIHS) was then approached to join the IFEH. This Association joined and sponsored to host the
Inaugural World Congress on Environmental Health jointly with the Australian National Bicentenary
celebrations. The New Zealand Institute of Environmental Health, who also attended the Inaugural
World Congress on Environmental Health, later joined the IFEH.

In September 1985, the IFEH held a Council meeting at Scarborough chaired by Colin Healy of the
EHOA, Ireland, during the Annual Congress of the EHOA. The first President of the IFEH, Mr. Roy
Emmerson who was also the President of the Institute of Environmental Health Officers, UK, was
elected at this Council meeting by a unanimous decision. Mr. Emmerson then took over the Presidency
of IFEH at the Annual General Meeting of the Federation held a day after the EHOA Annual
Congress.

COUNCIL OF THE FEDERATION AND MEETINGS PROCEDURES AND PROTOCOLS

A Council was administered, under the leadership of a Council Chairman, to administer the day-to-day
affairs of the Federation. The President of the Federation was then a Ceremonial Head of the
Federation and would sit in Council meetings as well. Each member organisation was allowed to elect
one Councillor for each one hundred of its members to a maximum of three Councillors, to represent
its organisation in Council. Member organisations qualifying for only one councillor were allowed to
appoint a deputy Councillor who would represent the member organisation in the Federation Council
meetings should the Councillor not be available for Council meetings. Councillors were entitled to
receive council agendas and minutes in addition to those distributed to member organisations. Where

Page 5 of 31 HISTORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (IFEH)

COMPILED BY: JERRY CHAKA

the Councillor was not in a position to attend meetings, it was a requirement that the Honorary
Executive Secretary be notified in advance and be notified who the substitute of the member
organisation will be to attend on behalf of the councillor.

All Councillors nominated by member organisations or substituting appointed Councillors had voting
rights in the council meetings. The Council of the Federation however encouraged reaching of
decisions by consensus. Because of the difficulty of all Councillors to attend Council meetings, the
following decision were taken:
a. Where one Councillor of the member organisation would attend Council meetings, this Councillor

was allowed to cast all votes entitled to the member organisation.
b. Where a member organisation was not represented at a Council meeting, it would indicate by prior

notice to the Honorary Executive Secretary, who was allowed to vote on a particular issue and the
chairman would allocate these votes according to the wishes of the absent members organisation.
c. In case of issues, falling within prescribed classes a binding decision can only be reached when
each Councillor has been afforded the opportunity of casting a formal postal vote on the matter.

Regarding the decisions above, note was taken that a voting indication made prior to a Council
meeting-taking place would not take into account issues raised in a debate. With regards to (c) above,
the issues so reserved are as follows:

- Major changes on a policy
- Setting the annual rate of subscription
- Any proposed change in the Constitution or postal voting arrangements
- Any proposal to alter the classes of membership
- The endorsement of any bid to organise an International Congress or Regional activity
- Item of finance of a non-routine nature

In cases falling within (c) above, the procedure will be to report the issue to Council which would
discuss the matter and approve, reject or amend the report. Subsequently, the report, incorporating any
amendments made by the Council, together with the Council’s recommendations, would be sent to
each Councillor with an appropriate ballot 5 paper to be returned to the Honorary Executive Secretary
by a specified date, which would enable the matter to be placed before the next Council. There are no
rules which would prevent the Council from amending this scheme if it so chose.

Page 6 of 31 HISTORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (IFEH)

COMPILED BY: JERRY CHAKA

AGENDA AND DOCUMENTATION FOR COUNCIL MEETINGS

As far, as is practicable, the business before each Council meeting is the consideration of written
reports. The Council agenda is open and any constituent member is free to request the inclusion of a
specific item or items in an agenda.

Having regard to the difficulty in documents transmission then, the Council expected papers for a
Council meeting to be in the hands of Council members twenty-one days before the meeting was
scheduled.

COUNCIL MEETINGS

A decision was taken that Council meetings are convened twice in a year. Because of the increasing
tendency of organisations of environmental health practitioner attending each other’s Conferences, it
was found to be economical for a Council meeting to be held in conjunction with a Conference of the
hosting organisation. Councillors who are also Conference delegates would then attend both functions
within one set of costs.

It was also found to be feasible that organisations hosting World Conferences should also arrange for a
Council meeting. In this regard, the hosting organisation is supposed to provide a venue and meals for
the Council meeting.

The Council policy is to rotate Council meetings between member countries and to respond to
invitations from members to hold a meeting in their country. To facilitate attendance at Council
meetings, meetings were scheduled at least fifteen months ahead

The system of having a Council meeting chaired by a Chairman was abolished in June 2000. The
President of IFEH took over the chair henceforth.

MEMBERSHIP OF THE FEDERATION

Full Members

Page 7 of 31 HISTORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (IFEH)

COMPILED BY: JERRY CHAKA

The Federation is an organisation of national associations of environmental health professionals. These
organisations from different countries around the globe represent the interest of environmental health
professionals from these countries. Only one national organisation can represent a country as a full
member of the Federation. Procedures for application are outlined in the Procedure manual of the
Federation. Certificates of membership are issued to each member organisation. Full members are
periodically updated by the Honorary Secretary of the Federation and uploaded on the website of the
Federation.

Associate Membership
Other organisations having an interest in environmental health which are not national organisations of
professionals are allowed to affiliate to the Federation under this category Associate members of the
Federation have no voting rights in Council meetings of the Federation but are allowed to attend
meetings of the Federation.

Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore, suggested a concept of Associate membership and this concept was
developed and approved by Council in September 1987 in Brighton where proposals from Sweden and
Ireland were considered.

On 04 September 1993, the Federation conducted a one-day conference for Associate members at
Stockport Town Hall, UK. The conference was called to give a platform for Associate members to
influence the thinking of the Federation. This turned out to be a successful and productive conference.
A register of Associate members is kept in the webpage of the IFEH.

Sustaining subscribers
The scheme was the brainchild of Eric Foskett and was established to allow individuals to learn about
the Federation’s work and raise funds. These individual members were paying annual memberships
to the IFEH. This membership category was established in 1991. The bulk of the sustaining members
were from national associations, mainly those that are full member organisations of the Federation.
They did not have voting rights within the IFEH. They received information pacer from the
Federation. Sustaining subscribers also received a 30% discount on the Journal when they subscribed.

The sustaining subscribers’ membership was abolished in April 2019 at a Council meeting held in
Kampala, Uganda after discussions that took place during a Council Strategic session at Kampala,

Page 8 of 31 HISTORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (IFEH)

COMPILED BY: JERRY CHAKA

Uganda.

MEANS OF COMMUNICATION

The Federations published a Directory on all members and associated bodies. A Public Relations
Officer appointed each year at Council AGM’s was responsible for the production and publication of a
periodic news bulletin with the aim of communicating updates to member organisations, associate and
sustainable members. The events diary column in the newsletter advertised the member conferences,
symposiums, workshops and other relevant events.

The administration of the Federation for the life and duration of the Federation is carried out by
voluntary officers.

In its first five years of establishment, the Federation decided to publish a Journal entitled “The
International Journal of Environmental Health”. Mr. Fred O’Brien was appointed, as an Editor. An
edition was produced on time for the 1988 congress and two more editions were issued.

The Federation accepted an invitation from a commercial publisher to become associated with the
production of the “International Journal of Environmental Health Research” in 1992. As part of
this association, the Federation was invited to appoint a Regional Editor. Dr. Kenneth Stewart agreed
to undertake this task. The Journal appeared bearing the Federation logo and contained editorial
material arranged through Dr. Stewart on behalf of the Federation.

In 1994, the newsletter was reviewed and a decision was made to produce a new type of news bulletin.
John Stirling, Scotland initiated the magazine of the IFEH “Environment and Health International”
in 1998. He availed himself to be the first editor of this means of communication for the IFEH.
Council agreed to the production of this magazine twice per year by John Stirling. The first IFEH
magazine was published in 1999 and this was released at the Council meeting in Hong Kong. Council
congratulated John Sterling for his outstanding work and many of the member organisations expressed
satisfaction for the first magazine published by the IFEH.

John Stirling was also congratulated by member organisations as he continued to publish outstanding
magazines for the IFEH. These magazines continued to give professional up to date information on

Page 9 of 31 HISTORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (IFEH)

COMPILED BY: JERRY CHAKA

environmental health as well as updates by Presidents of the IFEH regarding developments and the
direction the IFEH was taking in strengthening its structures and performing as an organisation. The
magazine was registered in 2002 and the magazine released in 2002 had an ISSN number with all the
subsequent magazines from 2002 having ISSN numbers.

The IFEH took a decision in 2003 that advertisements be accepted from organisations that are
acceptable to the principles of IFEH to advertise on the magazine at a fee to offset costs that IFEH was
incurring in publishing the magazine. Council also took a decision that should arrangements with
Sovereign Publications be negated, plans be drawn up to continue to produce the magazine in hard
copy until it could become a web based publication.

John Stirling was released from the position of editor in 2008 on his request after serving diligently in
this position for ten (10) years. Mr Hadrian Bonello from Malta then took over the Editorial role and
continued to do sterling work in the production of IFEH magazine for five (5) years

Kathryn Young then volunteered to take over the Editor responsibility from 2013 and she continues to
be the Editor of the magazine. The Board asked the Faculty Forum to support her work of producing
the magazine for the Federation.

A “Newsletter” publication was initiated by Public Relations Officer Mike Halls in 1990 to
communicate updates to all IFEH members. The newsletter continued to be published until 1998 and
the publication then stopped when Mike Halls took over the Hon. Secretary position in Stockholm.
The newsletter was then resuscitated in 2008 to be produced on a quarterly basis.

A “news” page on the website was developed as a means of communication with members. This
communique is utilised as and when the need arise to ensure prompt communication of urgent IFEH
matters to members.

IFEH Annual reports were published as a means of communication to members on matters related to
office bearers of the IFEH, President’s Annual reporting to members, Annual Regional group’s
reports, Treasurer’s report and finances, Hon Secretary’s report and acknowledgements. The annual
report was published from 1987 to 2006.

Page 10 of 31 HISTORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (IFEH)

COMPILED BY: JERRY CHAKA

An IFEH Journal was published as a means of communication with members. This means of
communication could not be sustained due to lack of volunteers.

Council approved an Honorary Archivist, Mr. Michael Hall of REHIS to be responsible for the
acquisition of appropriate material for the Federation’s archives and library.

The Federation decided to establish a Library in 1993. Dr. Kenneth Stewart at the Scottish Centre for
Infections and Environmental Health was assigned this task. The Library would appropriately benefit
postgraduate Environmental Health students doing part of their training at the Scottish Centre. The
Library, up to the mid 1990’s, was small and dependent on acquisition of materials through donations
and gifts.

THE WORK PROGRAMME

The Federation in 1993 embarked on a programme of work to discover the history and potential for
members of the Federation helping in disaster situations or helping in developing member
organisations.

Volunteers were identified mainly in Ireland. Training was required for this programme as well as
proper funding. The Federation due to its precarious financial standing could not sustain the
programme

MEMBER EXCHANGE PROGRAMMES

The inception of this programme was first initiated by two of the Federation’s members namely NEHA
and the CIEH. A generous support from the National Sanitation Foundation International, Ann Airbor,
Michigan, USA, established a Travelling Scholarship enabling an EHO from CIEH and an EHO from
NEHA to travel for a month, each within the country of the other. The award was for $4000.00 stipend
round trip airfare and a commemorative plague or metal. The award winners were announced at their
respective national and annual congresses. The selection was by competitive interview after the
admission of a 2000 word essay and complete curriculum vitae. The essay was to address a specific
subject area of interest to the applicant. The applicant employer was required to give a written consent

Page 11 of 31 HISTORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (IFEH)

COMPILED BY: JERRY CHAKA

to allow the Practitioner to participate. Winners were also required to submit a report on their travels
within twelve months of receiving the award. The programme was sucessfully run from 1991 to 1995.

The programme of member exchange continued to expand over the years between member
organisations. The objectives of these programmes are to learn best practices amongst members to
improve environmental health services delivery globally. These schemes also includes exchange
between universities and therefore, are not confined to practising environmental health professionals
only. A number of these exchange programmes can be viewed on the IFEH website.

WORLD CONGRESSES ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

These are held once in every two years since 1988. The aim of World Congresses is to encourage
environmental health professionals globally to share best practices on environmental health for the
improvement and development of the environmental health practice around the world. The conferences
are approved by Council and the Federation and hosted by full member organisations of the
Federation. Except the inaugural congress of the Federation, the Federation decided to allowed the
President of the host member organisation to be the President of the IFEH.

The system of nominating host member organisation representative as President of the Federation
operated from 1988 to 2006. After 2006, Council took a decision to allow all full member
organisations to participate in the nominations of the President-Elect of the Federation through a ballot
system.

The following World Congresses were held. Presidents that served the IFEH are listed.

Note: First President of IFEH Roy Emmerson was inaugurated in 1985.

YEAR NAMING OF CITY AND COUNTRY PRESIDENT

CONGRESS HELD

Sept. 1988 Inaugural World Congress Sydney, Australia Ronald Spratt

Sept. 1991 Second World Congress Brighton, UK Eric Foskett

Sept. 1994 Third World Congress Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Haji Urgku Abu Bakar

Bin, Abduel Rahman

May 1996 Fourth World Congress Aberdeen, Scotland Mike Halls, Scotland

Page 12 of 31 HISTORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (IFEH)

COMPILED BY: JERRY CHAKA

June 1998 Fifth World Congress Stockholm, Sweden Kia Reguer, Sweden
June 2000 Sixth World Congress Oslo, Norway Lars Olson, Norway
April 2002 Seventh World Congress San Diego, CA, USA Diane Evans, USA
Feb. 2004 Eighth World Congress Durban, South Africa Jerry Chaka, South
Africa
June 2006 Ninth World Congress Dublin, Ireland Colm Smith, Ireland
May 2008 Tenth World Congress Brisbane, Australia Bernard Forteath,
Scotland
Sept. 2010 Eleventh World Congress Vancouver, Canada Robert Bradbury,
Canada
May 2012 Twelfth World Congress Vilnius, Lithuania Dr. Peter Davey,
Australia
July 2014 Thirteenth World Congress Las Vegas, USA Henning Hansen,
Denmark
May 2016 Fourteenth World Congress Coimbra, Portugal Peter Archer, UK
March 2018 Fifteenth World Congress Auckland, New Zealand Selva Mudaly, South
Africa

Aug. 2020 Postponed due to the corona virus epidemic

THE INAUGURAL WORLD CONGRESS OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

This was held on the 26-30 September 1988 in Sidney, Australia, hosted by the Australian
Environmental Health Association (AEHA), now renamed Environmental Health Australia (EHA).
This congress was also held as the 15th National Conference of EHA and the 7th State Annual
Conference of the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors, New South Wales Chapter. The
Federation’s Council meeting was held on Friday, 23 September at Ashfield, one of Sydney’s area
Municipal Authorities that allowed the use of its Council Chamber and facilities. This was also the
first Federation’s Council meeting outside the British Isles.

The opening of the Congress took place in the Sydney Opera House with the Governor General of
Australia, His Excellency, and the Right Honourable Sir Ninian Stephen taking part. During the
ceremony, the Presidency was passed from Mr. Roy Emmerson to Mr. Ronald G. Spratt who was then
the National President of the Australian Institute.

Page 13 of 31 HISTORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (IFEH)

COMPILED BY: JERRY CHAKA

Approximately 1000 delegates attended the Inaugural World Congress drawn mainly from Australia
and New Zealand with approximately 200 of the 1000 delegates drawn from different parts of the
world. The Federation, out of this Inaugural World Congress, gained two member organisations
namely Singapore and Malaysia joining the Federation.

THE HEDGEROW BURSARY
The company Secretary of IFEH, Mr Robert Bradbury secured funding for the Federation through
Hedgerow Software Limited, a company based in Calgary, Albertia, Canada. The purpose of the
funding to support members of the Federation from developing countries to attend Council meetings.
The bursary is used to pay for travelling costs, visa applications costs and accommodation costs for a
maximum of three nights on a bed and breakfast basis.

This bursary benefitted and continue to benefit a number of member organisation to be able to
participate at Council meetings around the globe.

REGIONAL GROUPS

Environmental health concerns have no borders. Countries that are close to each other may have
similar environmental health concerns thus sharing of expertise by neighbouring countries help resolve
common problems and help the finding of lasting solutions. The benefit of neighbours being able to
discuss mutual problems resulted in the concept of regions being developed and implemented by the
Federation.

Regional groups were formed and allowed to meet periodically to discuss regional matters. Each group
decide on meeting arrangements, its programmes and activities and report to Council periodically. The
Federation also allocate a small annual budget to the Groups to allow them to run their administration.
The groups also elect a Chairperson to direct the affairs of the group. The Chairman of the group
represent the region as a member of the Board of Directors of the Federation. The Regional Groups

Page 14 of 31 HISTORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (IFEH)

COMPILED BY: JERRY CHAKA

therefore form an integral part of the Federation. The following five regional groups were formed:

 The Africa regional group
 Americas
 Asia and Pacific
 European Federation of Environmental Health
 Middle East

The groups are encouraged to include and allow participation of associate members within their
regions. The active regional groups of the Federation are mainly Africa, European group and the
America group. These groups regularly report their activities to the Board of Director’s meetings.

WORLD ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DAYS

The idea of establishing a World Congress on Environmental Health was raised for the first time by
the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) in a formal IFEH Council meeting in May
2008 in Brisbane, Australia. At this stage, further discussions were parked for subsequent Council
meetings. The aim of World Environmental Health days was to ensure that the contribution of
environmental health professionals in advancing Public Health throughout the world is afforded an
opportunity by countries around the globe to be recognised, honoured and commemorated

A committee was set up at the Singapore Council meeting in 2009 comprising of Les Milne and Adam
Grant from the European Region, John Gerizim and Dr Peter Davey from the Asia and Pacific
Region and Jerry Chaka and Tanya Hamman from Africa Region to identify a suitable date in
September for the launch of the World Environmental Health and to prepare logistical arrangements
for the launch of this important day in the history of Environmental Health. A decision was taken that
the launch of the World Environmental Health day will be held during the next Council meeting set for
25-26 September 2011 at Kartika Place hotel, Bali, Indonesia.

The inaugural World Environmental Health Day celebrations was held on 26 September 2011at the
Kartika Place hotel, Bali, Indonesia. To this occasion, students from the University of Indonesia had
composed and arranged a splendid hymn to celebrate the start of this special day. A Proclamation by
the IFEH was also developed and signed off by the IFEH President and the IFEH President-Elect to

Page 15 of 31 HISTORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (IFEH)

COMPILED BY: JERRY CHAKA

mark this important inaugural commemoration of this day.

From the 26 September 2011, this day is celebrated every year throughout the world. Environmental
Health Professionals, municipalities, provinces/county and national /state governments, celebrate the
day internationally. The number of countries commemorating this day surpassed the number of IFEH
member organisations and this is increasing exponentially every year.

WORLD ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH CONGRESSES

The decision to commemorate this day was taken at IFEH Council meeting. The decision was to
ensure that the academic sector of Environmental Health is able to share expertise on the training of
Environmental Health cadres and to share best practises in this regard. Council decided that these
congresses will be held in between World Congresses on Environmental Health.

The first World Academic Congress was held in Coimbra, Portugal in 2015.

IFEH SUSTAINABILITY INDICATOR INITIATIVE

The initiative was launched at the IFEH World congress in Oslo, Norway in 2000. The primary aim of
the initiative was to collect, disseminate and promote the use of indicators to monitor and assess
progress towards a sustainable development.

Indicator systems are key policy tools to define in detail and operationalise the general concept of
sustainable development based on shared but differentiated indicator systems that help articulate and
track progress in fulfilling these responsibilities are fundamental as planning, implementation and
evaluation instruments and also as instruments of communication and conditions across different
scales, up to and including the global scale. Comprehensive indicator system are theferore an
important reflection of a path toward sustainable development.

The IFEH entered into a formal collaboration arrangement with the International Institute for

Page 16 of 31 HISTORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (IFEH)

COMPILED BY: JERRY CHAKA

Sustainable Development (IISD) to advance the use of sustainability indicators. The technical source
in the initiative is the web database hosted by the IISD, which is accessible from both the IFEH
website as well as the IISD website.

The IFEH embarked on a project of collecting examples of experiences gathered by member
organisations into a compendium. This resulted in gathering sufficient examples with the intention of
sharing IFEH experience with the rest of the world for others to benefit from our experiences in an
attempt to achieve sustainable development globally.

The intention of compiling these into a website compendium was also to ensure that these can be
easily accessed and used forr own benefit to ensure sustainable developments in own areas. IFEH and
IISD was invited to many World conferences to present on the sustainability indicator. Presentations
were also made at several IFEH World Congresses. Surely, this initiative reached quite a number of
countries worldwide. Though no specific measure of the impact of this initiative could be measured, it
is a fact that this initiative made a substantial influence and continue to make a huge impact globally.

SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS ( SIG”s)OF IFEH

IFEH Council meeting of May 2008 in Brisbane, Australia, decided to establish Special Interest
Groups (SIG” s). The reason for the establishment of these Groups was to ensure that special
environmental health matters are discussed by the groups to ensure sharing and dissemination of
information on specific topics by professionals around the globe. These discussions could also result in
the formulation of IFEH positions on specific professional subjects.

The establishment of these Groups was delegated to the Board of Directors.

Sixteen Special Interest Groups were established namely:
1. Air Pollution
2. Climate change and Environmental Health
3. Communicable diseases
4. Disaster management and Risk reduction
5. Drinking water
6. Housing and shelters

Page 17 of 31 HISTORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (IFEH)

COMPILED BY: JERRY CHAKA

7. Indoor Air Quality including Tobacco control
8. Nature and Wildlife Protection
9. Noise Pollution
10. Pest and Vector control
11. Pollution from Industry
12. Public Health and Health Equity
13. Waste management
14. Wastewater management
15. Food Safety and Security
16. Port Health

A call was made by IFEH to member organisations to get their members to sign up and participate in
these groups. A sign-up platform was developed on the website to allow members around the globe to
register. Once the Group is established, a leader for each Group is elected to ensure co-ordination of
the group, collate submissions and ensure sharing of information and initiation of discussions.

The coordination of these Groups is the responsibility of the webmaster

The most established and active Special Interest Group is the Disaster management and Risk
Reduction Group. This Group is chaired by the webmaster Henning Hansen. The Group is an active
member of the United Nation’s Disaster to be Risk Reduction Committee.

IFEH RECOGNITION AWARDS

The Prestigious Eric Foskett Award
This award was the first to be initiated by the IFEH in 1999. The aim of the award is to give
recognitions to individuals and organisations who conducted sterling work for the Federation.

The award is conferred once every two years to deserving candidates at the International Federation of
Environmental Health World Congress. The award is named after the founding member of the
Federation Erik Foskett also called the father of IFEH. A Committee of reputable individuals within
the Federation is set to receive nominations for the award and adjudicate on the award.

Page 18 of 31 HISTORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (IFEH)

COMPILED BY: JERRY CHAKA

Recipients of the Eric Foskett Award

1. Eric Foskett , England: 2000

The first recipient of the Eric Foskett Award was Eric Foskett himself. This
award was conferred to him at an evening function of the 5th IFEH World
congress in Oslo, Norway in June 2000.

Eric Foskett was a selfless servant of the Environmental Health Profession.
He was the founding father of the International Federation of Environmental
Health in 1985 after spending three years convincing colleagues in the
England Wales, Australia, Ireland and Scotland to support him and few others to form the Federation.
They succeeded in this venture and he became the first Executive Secretary of the IFEH when it was
formed. He also became the IFEH President in 1991.

He continued to support the Federation throughout its years until his old age and frail years. He was a
good writer and he continued to write items for discussions at Council meetings even at his old age
period. He would not miss an opportunity of making inputs at Council meetings of IFEH even during
his frail years. He is remembered by all who had the privilege to spend time with him as a real think
tank in matters of environmental Health. He also featured in textbooks of Environmental health as a
co-author.

2. John McCandless and CIEH Northern Ireland Centre, UK: 2002

This award was a joined award between John McCandless and the CIEH
Northern Ireland Centre. John McCandless was the Chairman of the
Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) Northern Ireland Centre
and a member of the IFEH Council representing the CIEH in 1994 to 2000.

The CIEH Northern Centre actively developed a professional linkage with
our colleagues in Tanzania. The Centre decided to help Tanzania to develop a
BSc degree programme in Environmental Health.

Page 19 of 31 HISTORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (IFEH)

COMPILED BY: JERRY CHAKA

A worldwide appeal for funds was successfully set up spearheaded by John McCandless and a
staggering amount of money was raised to provide a library of resources at Muhimbili College,
University of Dar Es Salam Clarence Phoenix Memorial Library. Books were also delivered to this
University through the hard work of John as the Chairman of the CIEH Northern Ireland Centre. The
Clarence Phoenix Memorial Library continue to be supported by the CIEH Northern Ireland
Centre even now.

3. Michael Halls, Scotland: 2004

Michael Halls served the IFEH for many years. He played an important part
in the formation of the IFEH. He was representing REHIS in the discussions
that culminated in the formation of the Federation He was the third recipient
of the Eric Foskett Award.

Mike Halls was the President of IFEH in 1996 to 1998. He was then elected
as the Honorary Secretary of the IFEH in 1998 to 2006, serving in this
position for a period of eight years. He attended all nine IFEH World
Congresses from 1986 till his retirement from the Federation in 2006. Mike Halls also served as the
IFEH archivist and he was instrumental in the establishment and maintenance of the federation’s
archives and Library that operated from Scotland.
Mike Halls served the World Environmental Health community with excellence and dignity
throughout the years he served and he was approachable by all, always giving advise whenever
needed..

Page 20 of 31 HISTORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (IFEH)

COMPILED BY: JERRY CHAKA

4. Kia Regner, Sweden: 2006

Kia Regner was conferred the Eric Foskett Award by the President of IFEH,
Jerry Chaka at the Dublin University of Technology, Dublin, Ireland during
the ninth (9th) World Congress in June 2006

Kia Regner was the IFEH President during the period 1998 to 2000. She went
out of her way to ensure that there is a link between the IFEH and the World
Health Organisation. Being the first female President of IFEH, she also
elevated the role of women in the IFEH. She promoted IFEH and environmental health in a number of
platforms where she served, IMPEL and EEHC being some of them.

She was also elected as the Honorary Public Relations Officer of IFEH. She was also the International
Co-ordinator of the Swedish Association of Environmental Health Officers, the organisation she
represented in IFEH

5. John Sterling, Scotland: 2008

John Sterling have been involved in the work of IFEH for many years. He
served in positions of Honorary Education Liaison Officer of IFEH. He
volunteered to establish and be the first Editor of the IFEH magazine. This
came out to be the best form of communication for the IFEH at the time and
John received many accolades from colleagues around the world and within
IFEH on this work.

Page 21 of 31 HISTORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (IFEH)

COMPILED BY: JERRY CHAKA

A very passionate colleague about his editorial role in the IFEH magazine, he would remind members
to submit items well on time and his magazine was therefore always timeous and of an outstanding
quality.

6. Diane Evans, USA: 2010

She was conferred with this award on Thursday 6 September 2010 in
Vancouver, Canada by Bernard Forteath, President of the IFEH. She was the
IFEH President in 2002 to 2004.

She introduced the Procedure Manual, a guiding document updated
periodically to ensure the proper management and operations of the IFEH.
She also forged a relationship between the national Environmental Health
Association (NEHA) and finally ensured that NEHA became a full member of the IFEH. She worked
tirelessly for the betterment of the IFEH and the environmental health profession in the USA

7. Raymond Ellard, Ireland: 2012

Ray Ellard was a Council representative of the Irish Environmental Health
Officers Association. He was later elected as Honorary Secretary of IFEH
and served from June 2006 to September 2011. He organised a strategic
session for the IFEH in June 2006 at Dublin where a number of decisions
were taken regarding the future of the IFEH .He also became the Acting
Editor of the IFEH magazine

Ray was conferred with this award at a Council meeting held in Vilnius, Lithuania in May 2012 as part
of the 12th IFEH World Congress.

8. Jerry Chaka, South Africa: 2014

Page 22 of 31 HISTORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (IFEH)

COMPILED BY: JERRY CHAKA

Jerry Chaka was conferred with this award in Las Vegas, USA by the
President of IFEH Dr Peter Davey during an award ceremony of the National
Environmental Health Association ((NEHA) night in July 2014.

Jerry Chaka served on the IFEH Council representing the South African
Institute of Environmental Health (SAIEH) from 1997 till 2020 (the writing
of this report), for exactly twenty three years now. He came onto the IFEH
Council as the President of SAIEH. He was the IFEH President and served
during 2004 to 2006. He was also instrumental in strengthening the relationship between the World
Health Organisation and the IFEH during his term of office as IFEH President.

He also led the Africa Chapter of IFEH as Chairman from its inception in 1998 until 2020. He was
instrumental in organising African countries to join IFEH as well as establishing environmental health
structures in African countries. He is very passionate about environmental health, a profession he
served tirelessly for the rest of his professional life. He also served as member of the IFEH Board of
Directors for many years where he continued to make valuable contributions for the advancement of
the Federation.

9. Stephen Cooper, UK: 2016

Stephen Cooper represented the Chartered Institute of Environmental
Health (CIEH) on the IFEH Council.

He was elected to the position of Honorary Treasurer of IFEH in Paisley,
Scotland in 2003 and served the IFEH diligently in this position for
seventeen (17) years. He was also elected as a trustee of the CIEH and
served in this position for several years.

Steve made considerable contributions to the development of environmental health in Tanzania, in
particular the establishment of the third level education programme supported by the sourcing of the
Clarence Phoenix Library in Dar Es Salam in 2001.

Page 23 of 31 HISTORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (IFEH)

COMPILED BY: JERRY CHAKA

Steve attracted many countries to sign up with the IFEH and become members. He was also working
tirelessly to improve the financial status of IFEH through the recruitment of Individual members when
this scheme was still implemented within the IFEH and he was a staunch supporter of every venture
that will bring income to the IFEH. He was also instrumental in the implementation and
encouragement of the IFEH to financially support a sanitation programme in Malawi to improve lives
of ordinary citizens of Malawi.

Steven also acted as the Secretary of IFEH for several years whilst also serving as Honorary Treasurer
of IFEH. He served as a member of the Board of Directors for many years and made valuable
contributions in the development of Environmental health globally

Henning Hansen, Denmark: 2018

Henning has been a representative of the Dennish Association (now
ENVINA) on the IFEH Council since 1986. He was then, the President of
ENVINA. He was elected President of IFEH for the term 2014 to 2016.

Henning served as the Webmaster of the IFEH from the inception of the
website until now, where he has done sterling work in ensuring that the
website is current with latest developments and news on environmental
health globally. This work is being done by him over and above his many
other responsibilities at Denmark and within the IFEH. He spearheaded the sustainability indicator
programme within IFEH, marketing and linking the IFEH with many international partners like the
OECD. He is also coordinating the Disaster Risk reduction Committee representing the IFEH on this
important UN Committee.

He has been an extraordinary ambassador for the IFEH globally. He signed agreements with the
United Nations on behalf of IFEH, the UN Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

He continues to be an asset to the IFEH and the remarkable work done by him for the IFEH has been
voluntarily, sometimes affecting his health negatively.

Roy Emmerson Awards

Page 24 of 31 HISTORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (IFEH)

COMPILED BY: JERRY CHAKA

The award is for students studying in the field of environmental health anywhere around the globe. It is
essay based, through a topic identified by IFEH, students compete through writing of an essay, and the
best essay being chosen by an Adjudication Committee set up by the IFEH. The aim of the competition
is to encourage environmental health students to improve and excel on environmental health
programmes.

The Award is named after Roy Emmerson, the first President of IFEH. Roy Emmerson was a
passionate environmental health professional who was part of the first group of UK professionals who
established the IFEH. He was always attending IFEH meetings accompanied by his wife throughout
his life until he passed away in December 2010. The award was established in 2013.

Recipients of the recognition award

1. Nava Bastola, Loma Linda University, USA: 2014
Nava Bastola was a student studying for a Masters of Public Health. This award
was conferred at the 13th IFEH World Congress in Las Vegas, USA. The theme
of the Essay was “The Climate Change Challenge, Engaging the
Environmental Health Practitioner”.

2. Kerri J. Milne , University of the West of Scotland, Scotland: 2015
Kerri J. Milne was a BSc (Hons) degree student. The award was conferred to her
at the 1st IFEH Academic conference held at Coimbra, Portugal. The theme of
the Essay was “World Health is in our hands, can we beat Ebola”

3. Zarija Zrinski, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Health, Slovenia: 2017

Page 25 of 31 HISTORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (IFEH)

COMPILED BY: JERRY CHAKA

Zarija Zrinski was a BSc (Hons) degree student. The award was conferred to her
at the 2nd IFEH Academic World Conference held at Montego Bay, Jamaica in
2017. The theme of the Essay was “International Travel and Health”

4. George William Ssendagala, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda: 2019
The award was conferred to George at the 3rd IFEH Academic Conference held at
Kampala, Uganda, in April 2019. George was a BSc (Hons) degree student at
Makerere University. The theme of the Essay was “Global Food Safety and
Sustainability”.

STRATEGIC PLANNING

Strategic planning can simply be defined as long-term planning (3-5 years) that an organisation can set
for itself to achieve gaols that sets the organisation in the right path based on updated conditions,
mainly internal and external environments that confront the organisation and its operations. The IFEH
undertook a number of strategic sessions throughout its life, starting from 1999 in Hong Kong, 2006 in
Dublin during a Council meeting, 2011 and 2013.

At a Council meeting held in Auckland, New Zealand on 18th March 2018, Council took a resolution
to embark on another strategic session as per the resolutions captured in a document named “Scoping
strategy points”. The decision was taken after intensive deliberations ensued on various issues about
the Federation that needed to be addressed.

The task of developing a three-year strategic plan for the Federation was given to the incoming
President Dr Selva Mudaly at the Auckland Council Meeting.

In achieving the mandate of Council, several project teams were created each tasked to address

Page 26 of 31 HISTORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (IFEH)

COMPILED BY: JERRY CHAKA

specific issues raised at the Council meeting. The following project teams with Council members
nominated to lead the teams were created:

- Communication team
- Finance Committee the Honorary Treasurer
- History of the IFEH coordinated by Jerry Chaka, South Africa
- Marketing and membership team
- Good governance, Branding and the Procedure Manual team

It was also decided that a three-year strategic plan of the IFEH will be developed after a Strategic
session to be held in the April 2019 Council meeting in Kampala where the works of the established
teams will be presented. The strategic plan would also outline deadlines and responsible people.
Monitoring of the Strategic plan would also be built into the plan to ensure implementation of the plan.

The strategic session held in April 2019 in Kampala, Uganda, achieved the following for the
Federation
A mission of the Federation: To promote international cooperation between environmental health
organisations and professionals thus striving for safer, cleaner and healthier environments in the
interest of World Health

Vision of the Federation: To be the internationally recognised leading professional organisation in the
field of Environmental Health

Reason for existence of the Federation: The reason for existence of the Federation is to represent the
International Environmental Health Community,

 to share best practices and exchange information, knowledge and professionals amongst
member organisations so as to advance the science and practise of Environmental Health
Globally;

 to facilitate collaboration between organisations, Academic Institutions and Practitioners; and
 to support the development of the Environmental Health Profession around the world.

The Federation committed itself to the following values:

o Respect

Page 27 of 31 HISTORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (IFEH)

COMPILED BY: JERRY CHAKA

o Accountability
o Collaboration
o Solidarity
o Professionalism
o Transparency and
o Integrity

Objective and motto of the Federation: “Caring for the environment in the interest of World
Health”

PLAN OF ACTION OF THE FEDERATION: 2019 to 2021

ACTION ITEM PERSON TIME PROGRESS
FRAMES
RESPONSIBLE

GOVERNANCE

1. Ensure the use of virtual Honorary Secretary End of June Achieved
2020
meetings technology to

encourage participation of

members.

2. Include a standing agenda on Honorary Secretary Every Council Being processed
meeting Postponed
sharing of best practises at all starting in Partly achieved
2020
Council meetings. Solicit topics End of
September
prior to each meeting 2019
Immediate
3. Employ a part-time admin Board of Directors

support

4. Regional groups to hold a Regional chairs

minimum of two meetings in a

year with minutes posted on the

website

Page 28 of 31 HISTORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (IFEH)

COMPILED BY: JERRY CHAKA

5. Remove the roles of Honorary Council Immediately Achieved

Secretary and Honorary

Treasurer on the Board. Ensure

only organisational

representation on the BOD

6. Consolidate, reduce and Board of directors End of July Achieved
2020
prioritise the IFEH objectives.

Create a list of core goals which

could be allocated objectives,

KPI and associated strategic

risks

MEMBERSHIP

1. Remove individual membership Council Immediate Achieved

category

2. Identify membership and map Susana Paixao End July 2020 Not Achieved

potential membership Regional Groups

3. Develop a plan to increase Susana Paixao End of July Not Achieved
2020
membership. Work closely with

Regional Groups

4. Identify marketing strategies Board of Directors End July 2020 Not Achieved

and solutions (Develop a

marketing plan

COMMUNICATION

1. Develop a Communication Honorary Secretary End July2020 Achieved

Strategy Public Relations Officer

Webmaster

Editor

2. Establish a communication Honorary Secretary End July 2020 Achieved

Committee Public Relations Officer

Webmaster

Editor

Page 29 of 31 HISTORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (IFEH)

COMPILED BY: JERRY CHAKA

3. Identify appropriate platforms Honorary Secretary End July 2020 Achieved

for facilitating remote access to Public Relations Officer

meetings of IFEH Webmaster

Editor

BRANDING

1. Develop a set of brand values Board of Directors End of July Achieved
2020
which reflect the IFEH purpose

and objectives

2. Revamp and replace the IFEH Board of Directors End of July Achieved
2020
logo with a more modern one

that can be used across multiple

channels

3. Develop a set of brand President End of July Achieved
2020
guidelines to be issued to all David Dyjack

partners and members

FINANCES

1. Establish a Finance Committee Honorary Treasurer End of July New Treasurer
2021 to take up this
with clear terms of reference End July 2021 role
New Finance
2. Establish Patrons of IFEH Finance Committee End July 2021 Committee to
take up this role

3. Identify sponsorships/adverts for Finance Committee Next physical
website, sponsorship for World
newsletter, magazine, etc. Congress
July 2021
4. Reintroduce the Auction system Finance Committee
at World Congresses

5. Introduce the merchandising of Finance Committee End July 2020 Achieved
IFEH products Jerry Chaka

HISTORY OF IFEH
1. Compilation of the History of

IFEH

Page 30 of 31 HISTORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (IFEH)

COMPILED BY: JERRY CHAKA

2. Update of the IFEH history Honorary Secretary Every 12
document Webmaster months from
October 2020

CONCLUSION

The History of the IFEH document is a living document. The Honorary Secretary of the IFEH and the
Webmaster of the IFEH will update this document every year

Page 31 of 31 HISTORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (IFEH)

COMPILED BY: JERRY CHAKA