International Fluency Association

The IFA was founded in 1989 to promote international liaison in the area of fluency disorders and to promote the understanding of these disorders. International congresses are organised every three years in venues selected from around the world. In 1994, the Congress was held in Munich, Germany; San Francisco, USA in 1997; Nyborg, Denmark in 2000;... Montreal, Canada in 2003; Dublin, Ireland in 2006; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2009; Tours, France in 2012 and Lisbon, Portugal in 2015. How is the location for a congress decided? Currently, congresses are organised to take place every three years. Decisions regarding the site of the congress will be made by the Executive Board, but the views of the membership body will be taken into account, via an electronic vote prior to the decision being made. The vote will take place in the period following the congress three years in advance of the proposed congress. The IFA Board will make the final decision regarding the choice of the next congress venue. Who is eligible to bid? Bids for the congress will be welcomed from: a country's professional organisation representing professionals in the area of fluency disorders; self-help organisations for people who stutter; local organisations in the area of speech pathology; or a combination of such organisations. It is important that the team bidding to host the congress includes a background in the area of speech and language pathology or disorders of fluency. Experience in hosting international conferences / meetings may be an advantage. Backing from a professional organisation in hosting international conferences may be helpful in some locations, but is not a prerequisite for making a bid. It is also considered useful to have the supportive backing of city's council, and/or a local Chamber of Commerce or tourist organisation. The IFA is an international organisation and, as such, consideration will be given to a variety of geographical locations for different congresses. In this way, the international remit of the IFA is ...Read More