INTRODUCTION

Background

In the years following the end of the Second World War, several international technical associations were established, among them FEANI. In June 1949, 340 engineers met for a congress held in Constance, Germany. The theme of this Congress was: "The role of the engineer in the modern society".

Among the motions which were adopted, one stated that the participants decided "jointly to pursue the task already begun by setting up an international organisation, temporarily limited to Europe, whose goal will be to strengthen the presence of engineers in every national and international movement of economic and social dimension".

This motion bore fruit and an international federation, the "Fédération Internationale d'Associations Nationales d'Ingénieurs", was created in September 1951 in Luxembourg. Associations from seven European countries (Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, France, Italy and Luxembourg) were the founders. Soon after, associations from other countries joined, and the organisation's name was changed to "Fédération Européenne d'Associations Nationales d'Ingénieurs" (FEANI, the European Federation of National Engineering Associations) in July 1956 to reflect its European focus.

About FEANI

FEANI was founded in 1951, a few years after the end of the second world war, by a group of French and German engineers who thought that through technology, their common field of activity, it would be possible to create links between former adversaries, and so to facilitate the prosperous and peaceful development of European society.  Association from seven European countries immediately joined this initiative. 

Today associations from 29 European countries are represented in FEANI, bringing together more than 350 national engineering associations, all of which are recognised in their countries as the representatives of the engineering profession at the national level. Through these national associations, FEANI represents the interests of approximately 3.5 million professional engineers in Europe.

FEANI is a founding member of the World Federation of Engineering Organisations (WFEO) and collaborates with many other organisations dealing with engineering and technology issues and engineering education.

FEANI is officially recognised by the European Commission as representing the engineering profession in Europe. The federation also has consultative status with UNESCO, UNIDO and the Council of Europe.

Objectives

FEANI's objectives are :

to affirm the professional identity of the engineers of Europe

• by ensuring that professional qualifications of engineers of the member countries are acknowledged in Europe and worldwide
• by asserting the status, role and responsibility of engineers in society
• by safeguarding and promoting the professional interests of engineers and by facilitating their free movement within Europe and worldwide

to strive for a single voice for the engineering profession of Europe, whilst acknowledging its diversity

• in developing a working cooperation with other international organisations concerned with engineering matters
• in representing the engineers of Europe in international organisations and other decision-making bodies

Member countries:

The countries currently represented within FEANI by National Members are the following:

* Provisional Member as from January 2009

SEFI =  Associate Member as from January 2009

The working languages of FEANI are English,  French and German.