IFAC AT A GLANCE
IFAC is the world-wide organization dealing with Automatic Control theory, applications, education, and anyone of its
technical and social implications. Its membership, based on the National Member Organizations (NMOs), provides a
truly international participation, preserving the local customs in the development of its activities. Individuals can
participate in IFAC at different levels of enrolment, from NMO representatives at highest management positions, to
simple affiliates, receiving the Newsletter information from our Secretariat. Members of the Technical Committees (TC),
either by NMO's delegation or by their own recognize expertise, members of the events' International Program
Committees (IPC), appointed by their Chairs, authors or events' attendees, are different options of involvement.
As a technical society, the exchange of ideas and results is among its main goals. For that purpose, the sponsorship of
high quality technical meetings and the publication of reputed journals are in the basis of our activities. Between 30 and
40 technical events per year, whose scheduling, scope, and ways to participate can be accessed through our webpage,
are sponsored by some of the 45 TCs. These events, as well as the World Congress organized every three years, are
technically controlled by truly IPCs, making a rigorous reviewing process of full papers. The Proceedings of these
meetings, where the contributions presented and discussed are compiled, are published by Elsevier Science Ltd., and
available for further reference.
A selection of contributions, in a revised form, is published in Automatica, Control Engineering Practice or Annual
Reviews of Control, the three prestigious IFAC journals. Other excellent contributions, in more specialized fields, may
be published in IFAC affiliated journals, always after a further review of the conference paper, usually in an improved
and enlarged version.
Every three years, IFAC presents a number of awards. Other than the best journal papers in Automatica and Control
Engineering Practice, the best papers presented at the Congress as an application, by a young author, or as a poster, are
also awarded. To emphasize the relevance of education, a Control Engineering Textbook is selected. Life contributions,
with a theoretic or practical dominance, are distinguished by the Giorgio Quazza and Nathaniel Nichols IFAC major
medals. Society services are awarded by the Outstanding Service Award or by the appointment as IFAC Advisor.
The central technical role in IFAC is played by its Technical Board, coordinating the activities of the TC and providing
reports and summaries of the state of the art in each area. These internal documents will be published, at the time of
the Congress, as a reference for the Automatic Control community.
The IFAC Council steers the federation and represents the General Assembly of all the NMOs. Its members, wearing a
blue badge at the IFAC meetings, may be approached for any issue related to IFAC activities. Nevertheless, any
question, request or complaint can be addressed to the Ombudsman, in the front IFAC webpage. For sure, it will be
appropriately processed. The final goal of IFAC is to serve all of you in this suggestive world of Automatic Control.
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