IEA Goals and Objectives

IEA aims to promote the knowledge and practice of ergonomics by initiating and supporting international activities and cooperation.

The following principal goals reflect the IEA mission:

• To develop more effective communication and collaboration with federated societies

• To advance the science and practice of ergonomics at an international level

• To enhance the contribution of the ergonomics discipline to global society

To meet these objectives, IEA establishes international contacts among those active in the field, cooperates with international or ganizations to facilitate the practical application of ergonomics in industry and other areas, and encourages scientific research by qualified persons in the field of study and practice.

• IEA Relations with Other International Bodies

IEA Principles of Equal Opportunity

The IEA subscribes to the principles of equal opportunity. The IEA endeavors to ensure that its organizational structure, policies, activities, and documents do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, disability, ethnic and social background. The IEA encourages the participation of people of different gender, racial and religious backgrounds in its various governing bodies such as the Council, the Executive Committee and its various committees.

Purpose of Strategic Plan

The IEA Strategic Plan is a living document that aims to guide the IEA in establishing new initiatives and priorities for action. The current plan reflects many of the ideas generated during the focus groups held during the Cape Town 1999 Council meeting, and the extensive consultations with the IEA Council in 1999 and 2000. IEA Mission Statement

The International Ergonomics Association is the federation of ergonomics and human factors societies around the world. Working closely with its constituent societies and related international organizations, its mission is to elaborate and advance ergonomics science and practice, and to expand its scope of application and contribution to society to improve the quality of life.

The Following Principal Goals Reflect the IEA Mission

A. To develop more effective communication and collaboration with federated societies
B. To advance the science and practice of ergonomics at an international level
C. To enhance the contribution of the ergonomics discipline to global society

A. Goal: To Develop More Effective Communication and Collaboration with Federated Societies

OBJECTIVE A1. Support The Work Of Member Societies

Strategies:

1. Facilitate visibility of each member society through the IEA home page and other means of communication

2. Facilitate joint events between member societies when this will not conflict with the operations of these societies

3. Support member societies in taking proactive and reactive positions on major public issues and in their use of the media

4. Support member societies to disseminate ergonomics knowledge at various levels

5. Support participation of the industrially developing countries in IEA activities (e.g., support for travel to conferences)

6. Support the continuing growth of ergonomics in industrially developing countries by training and education {IDC}

7. Provide industrially developing countries with ergonomics knowledge by stimulating the existing IEA mechanisms (e.g. book fund, expert consultants

8. Show best practices in order to stimulate the growth of ergonomics

OBJECTIVE: A2. Improve IEA Operational Effectiveness

Strategies:

1. Develop mechanisms for effectively involving member societies in IEA activities (e.g. possibilities for strategic discussions)

2. Improve communication with member societies (e.g. through consultation, exchange of action plans and soliciting feedback)

3. Facilitate the exchange of views and experiences among the leaders of member societies (e.g., through workshops, sessions, special interest groups)

4. Initiate campaign to increase the numbers of sustaining IEA members when this will not conflict with the operations of member societies

5. Increase revenues from donations, endowments and funds when this will not conflict with the operations of member societies (e.g. from international bodies)

B. Goal: To Advance the Science and Practice of Ergonomics at an International Level

OBJECTIVE: B1. Stimulate Development and Acceptance of Ergonomics

Strategies:

1. Define and clarify the field of ergonomics

2. Elaborate and promote the benefits of ergonomics to improve the quality of life for individuals, organizations and society

3. Identify and elaborate cultural and economic differences on ergonomic design

4. Identify future needs for development of ergonomics (e.g. through the Technical Committees of the Science & Technology Committee)

OBJECTIVE: B2. Facilitate Knowledge Exchange and Collaboration

Strategies:

1. Support and promote specialized conferences and workshops in collaboration with member societies.

2. Provide appropriate support of regional groups in ergonomics (e.g. NEES) when this will not conflict with the operations of member societies.

3. Promote IEA publications suited to knowledge dissemination by IEA

OBJECTIVE: B3. Enhance The Quality Of Professional Practice And Education In Ergonomics

Strategies:

1. Continue to promote a broad view of ergonomics and its aims

2. Consider development of procedures for the IEA endorsements of various activities, in particular journals and books

3. Develop international professional standards and guidelines and promote best practices in ergonomics (code of ethics, code of professional practice, etc.)

4. Encourage educational institutions to offer ergonomics programs consistent with "IEA Core Competencies for Practitioners in Ergonomics" criteria

5. Promote sharing of quality ergonomics education programs available on the Internet through the IEA home page

6. Develop IEA guidelines for accreditation of ergonomics educational programs

7. Maintain the IEA Criteria for Endorsement of Certifying Bodies and implement a system for such endorsement

8. Maintain the IEA Core Competencies for Practitioners in ergonomics

9. Maintain and disseminate IEA minimum criteria for the process of certification of an ergonomist

C. Goal: To Enhance the Contribution of the Ergonomics Discipline to Global Society

OBJECTIVE: C1. Promote Recognition Of Ergonomics Discipline

Strategies:

1. Identify specific areas where greater international exchange of information is needed, and develop appropriate means for dialogue

2. Promote ergonomics in geographical regions where particular support is needed

3. Increase public awareness of the benefits of ergonomics through mass media communications

4. Provide information about ergonomics/IEA for listing in international directories and reference publications

5. Expand and strengthen links with other international bodies and form alliances with affiliated societies in the related fields (e.g., industrial design and engineering, psychology, safety, health care, economics)

6. Expand IEA prizes to reward and publicize ergonomics innovations

7. Develop more effective use of IEA conferences to promote added value of ergonomics to society

OBJECTIVE: C2. Promote Applications of Ergonomics in All Aspects of Life

Strategies:

1. Promote ergonomics as a means to improve the quality of human life, work effectiveness and economic benefits

2. Mobilize ergonomics profession to address major global challenges

3. Promote collaboration in ergonomics projects among government and international bodies

4. Stimulate the involvement of ergonomics in the emerging fields of application (e.g. management sciences and mass communication).