CNISF

A federation of engineering and scientific associations

HistoryMissions and goalsObjectivesContributions
Services for members Photos of the leaders of the CNISF
CNISF ASSOCIATIONS: complete lists
[ scientific and régional bodies] [ technical bodies]

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History

The Conseil National des Ingénieurs et des Scientifiques de France (National Council of Engineers and Scientists of France) is an association registered with the French Ministry of the Interior that represents the ensemble of the engineers and scientists of France. Recognized as being "of public utility" (Reconnu d'Utilité Publique), independent, and non-partisan, the CNISF continues in the tradition of ideas that date from the mid-19th century. On March 4, 1848, the engineers of France decided to unite, founding the "Société Centrale des Ingénieurs Civils." This society was to play a major role in the creation of other federations over the years. In 1992, three of these federations, the CNIF (Conseil National des Ingénieurs Français), FASFID (Fédération des Associations et Sociétés Françaises d'Ingénieurs Diplômés), and ISF (Société des Ingénieurs et Scientifiques de France), combined to form the Conseil National des Ingénieurs et des Scientifiques de France.

The CNISF thus became the sole representative of the engineers and scientists in France. It is composed of 180 national associations, has 160000 members, and represents 450000 high-level technicians.

The CNISF seeks to promote and defend the cultural and socio-economic interests of all of the engineers and scientists in France, as well as protecting the image and reputation of the engineering profession.

As part of its efforts to establish representation for French engineers similar to that in England and Germany, the CNISF tries to collaborate with similar organizations in neighboring countries.

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Missions and goals

• to represent the ensemble of the French engineers and scientists to the public authorities
  to oversee the diffusion of information relating to scientific and technological progress
  to emphasize the importance of science and technology to economic and social development
  to contribute to the discussion on the future development of various scientific and technological activities and to facilitate interdisciplinary exchanges
  to encourage the promotion of French scientific and technological accomplishments abroad
  to encourage the creation and rapprochement of professional organizations in new fields
  to bring expert knowledge to topics of public interest and to contribute to the decision making process
  to help its members participate in associative activities and to bring them specific services
  to maintain close relationships with other engineering associations both in Europe and worldwide

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Objectives

We live in an era marked by frequent and rapid change, on the socio-economic and cultural levels as well as the technological. As these changes take place and the construction of Europe continues, engineers and scientists must enter into dialogue. Too long excluded from the most important decisions affecting our society, engineers and scientists need a powerful organization to speak out for them, to transmit their contributions in all areas of society, and to participate in the social, economic, and political life of the engineers and scientists on the national and international level. In order to better serve the public, the engineers and scientists of the CNISF can no longer be contented with simply observing, but must assert themselves as an active socio-economic entity whose voice must be heard.

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Contributions

Our mission is to become a voice for the engineers and scientists of France, speaking in defense of their cultural and social interests and of their reputation, and to provide a framework for reflection on the conclusions and recommendations that scientists want to make heard.
We seek to respond effectively to the plans and aspirations of engineers and scientists. We have undertaken the responsibility of combating scientific and technological misinformation, assuring (when necessary) the spread of information, promoting scientific training, and valorizing the rigor and reliability of the duties of the engineer and the scientist.

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Services for members

• FREE SERVICES
  "Dépêches du CNISF", monthly
  Techmémoires (minutes of seminars, dinner-debates), trimestrial
  Instantanés techniques (published by the Techniques de l'Ingénieur), trimestrial
  General directory (lists of members and organization of the CNISF)
  Evening conferences (Parisian region)
  Certain activities of the "Unions Régionales" (regional engineering and scientific associations)
  Annual membership card
  Legal advice
  Association badge
  
  
  SPECIAL PRICES
  Subscription to ID magazine
  Registration fees for seminars and dinner-debates

revu le: 27/10/96.