ISSN 1683-3805

in Brisbane was based on the thinking of one
or perhaps two member organisations and
one issue that concerns me greatly is the substitution
of the teaching of life sciences with
the teaching of social science. I believe that
environmental health professionals must
have an in-depth knowledge of the science
and technology that under-pin their everyday
work. A comprehensive understanding of the
effects of environmental exposures on the human
body is essential for all environmental
health professionals or they will lack credibility
especially when working with other public
health professionals. Education and professional
training which is based on a thin veneer
of science and technology will quickly
bring the work of environmental health professionals
into disrepute.
I believe that there are too many differences
in the way each member organisation operates
for a workable competency framework to
be agreed by the IFEH and I would recommend
that the IFEH seeks agreement for a set
of core values based on common goals and
aspirations as a more realistic and much less
divisive alternative which might actually lead
to closer working relationship between member
organisations. The energies of the IFEH’s
member organisations and of the IFF would
be better spent celebrating diversity and seeking
commonality.
I consider myself fortunate to have met with
the late Eric Foskett, the father of the IFEH
and a man with a desire to foster a world
community of environmental health based on
equitable partnership, on a number of occasions
the first time being at the REHIS Conference
in Inverness in 1994. I believe that the
views I have expressed in this article are consistent
with Eric’s vision for the Federation
and for the world community of environmental
health.
Eric Foskett Award
John Stirling (left) receiving the Award from Bernard Forteath
John Stirling - IFEH’s Eric Foskett Award
The Eric Foskett Award is named after the founder of the IFEH and of this award; it is awarded
every two years to an individual or an organisation for notable contribution to the work of the
Federation by helping it fulfill its aims and objectives. This year’s recipient is John Stirling – well
known to many of you! John’s contribution as Honorary Editor of the IFEH Magazine for many
years and his longstanding support for the IFEH is recognised by the Federation in the presentation
of this award.
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