About the IFSR
Be part of the whole!
Vision & Mission
Understanding systems, governance and change starts with collaboration.
To meet the complex challenges of the 21st century and the Anthropocene, advancing systems thinking has become essential.
Systems sciences and cybernetics have been co-evolving as a joint community – pioneering new thinking in science, theory, technology, and practice.
Mission of the IFSR
The mission of the International Federation for Systems Research (IFSR) is to:
- Advance cybernetic and systems research
- Support the application of systems thinking in practice
- Act as a peak body for the global cyber-systemic community
To achieve this, the IFSR:
- Improves the conditions for systems research within its member organizations
- Organizes and sponsors research, international conferences, and workshops
- Promotes global cooperation and publications in the field of systems science
A Bridge Between Theory and Practice
The IFSR extends far beyond academic institutions.
As a unifying platform, it connects systems research and practical application to help shape a flourishing future.
Be part of the whole.
Continuous advancement
Systems Sciences and cybernetics comprise a holistic and integrated paradigm that overcomes the thinking which created the global challenges we are facing today. It allows for a different perception of the dynamics of the world and provides smarter and truly sustainable solutions.
When the IFSR was founded on 12.03.1980, it aspired to unite the world of systems sciences and cybernetics to meet the challenges of the 20th century, to learn from the catastrophes of the world wars, the conflicts of the Cold War, and to prepare to meet the daunting ecological threats being addressed as Global Problematique in the report to the Club of Rome “Limits to growth”.
In the years that followed the IFSR served as a convening platform for systems scientists and cyberneticians from all over the world. The biannual IFSR conversation meetings in Austria became a wide-ranging inspiration for the cyber-systemic community.
Search newsletter archive for ISSS.org
Since 1997 the IFSR runs the double-blind peer reviewed journal Systems Research and Behavioral Sciences.
In 2021, the IFSR started to convene from the ongoing IFSR member dialogue an annual agenda for the cyber-systemic community.
Today additional IFSR activities focus on advancing collaboration in systems research world-wide and representing the cyber-systemic community in the political arena globally.
Team
Meet the people behind the IFSR.
Our team consists of experienced systems thinkers, researchers and coordinators who shape the federation’s vision and activities.
Governance
The IFSR is a registered non-profit association in Austria.
The constitutional purpose of the IFSR is to advance cybernetic and systems research and systems professionalisation to serve the international systems community.
The IFSR serves as a peak body and a mirror of the international cybersystemic community.
Collaborating Organisations
The IFSR is a registered non-profit association in Austria.
Its purpose is to advance cybernetic and systems research and to support the international systems community.
As a peak body, the IFSR mirrors and connects the cybersystemic community globally.
IASCYS
The International Academy for Systems and Cybernetic Sciences (IASCYS) was launched by the IFSR in 2010 as a separate independent body.
It recognizes outstanding members of IFSR associations who contribute to systems and cybernetics.
No direct application is possible – nominations are made by member organizations.