Introduction from the Introduction from the
FEMS was founded in 1974 to encourage scientific collaboration, facilitate
international communication and support meetings, training, and research
among European microbiologists. Since then, our activities have expanded
but these same core principles underpin everything we do. This Strategic Plan is a reiteration of the reasons FEMS was founded and how
we can still apply these to today’s scientific landscape. It outlines the goals we
want to accomplish but also describes the value we place on achieving these
in a fair, open and inclusive way.
Although the field of microbiology and the number of events and publications
has grown since then, we have retained our distinct identity as a not-for-profit
organization that maintains our core values of scientific integrity and editorial
independence. We still use our revenues to support microbiology and invest in
microbiologists. We continue to promote diversity and inclusion. This document
reaffirms our intention to hold these values dear while we adapt as circumstances
change. We plan to build on these foundations as we expand our work to raise
the profile of microbiology, both among the public and policymakers, and by
connecting research with industry, regulatory authorities and governments. It details the challenges we need to consider as a not-for-profit Federation and
that our Members and all microbiologists in general face in the coming years.
Our responses are outlined in a series of priorities all of which are designed to
promote microbiology and support microbiologists in Europe and beyond.
President
Managing Director
It is on the basis of these overarching priorities that we will consider and evaluate
individual initiatives, investments and decisions to meet these objectives, and
budget, plan and track our progress to ensure they are delivered. These priorities
therefore collectively set the parameters that will inform our decision-making for
the next 5 years.
I look forward to celebrating our 50th anniversary with our community in 2024,
able to look back on five decades of connecting people and sharing knowledge.
Matthew Harvey
Prof Hilary Lappin-Scott OBE
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