The International Foundation for Development Alternatives (IFDA) was established on August 13, 1976, as a Swiss non-profit foundation on the initiative of a number of citizens from both the Third World and the industrialized countries who are committed to, and engaged in, new approaches to development and international cooperation.



IFDA seeks to promote innovative research, experimentation, and action towards another development, required by most societies individually and by mankind colletively, and implying a reordering of international relations. It strives to inculcate a greater awareness of the full implications of only-one-earth concept through a real North-South dialogue at the levels of public opinion, social actors and governments.



The specific aims of IFDA are:

1) to provide intellectual and analytical underpinnings for

(a) development alternatives geared to the satisfaction of total human needs- material and political- on the basis of self-reliance and of the necessary structural transformations, and in harmony with the environment as well as with the cultural and social values and aspirations of each society; and

(b) a meaningful dialogue conducive to the establishment of a new iternational order based on equality between nations and societies and on recognition and acceptance of cultural diversity;



2) to stimulate dialogue between those who aare aware of the need for development alternatives, undertake or promote research and exchange information on revelant thermes, and make available the analyses, findings, and proposals resulting from work in progress;



3) to establish and develop cooperative relations with similar institutions throughout the world and provide support to such institutions, in existence or to be created, in the Third World.



The program of work of IFDA includes:

1) preparing and circulating the IFDA Dossier, providing information on ideas and activities relevant to its objectives and serving as a vehicle for discussion of work in progress;



2) preparing and circulating briefings and analytical or discussion papers on topics appearing on the agenda of important inter-governmental gatherings;



3) disseminating major policy statements made in speeches, articles or publications by national and international leaders; and



4) promoting actin-oriented research on strategies for transition to another development, Third World collective self-reliance, and specific aspects of the new international order at the global level.



Main issues this organization deals with Human Rights, Technology, and Development, United Nations, Human Rights, Environment (right to a healthy).