International Forum of Meteorological Societies

The International Forum of Meteorological Societies (IFMS) was conceived in 2010 in a meeting hosted by American Meteorological Society (AMS) at Atlanta where leaders of about nineteen of the world’s sixty (nearly) National Meteorological Societies (NMSs) and Regional Meteorological Societies (RMSs) met. Basically, it is an informal mechanism to facilitate interactions among Meteorological Societies across the globe. It is well-known that the WMO is an agency of the United Nations that deals with meteorological observations, standards, data exchange and technology transfer among its 188-member states and territories. On the other hand, the goal of IFMS is to bring together NMSs and RMSs under one umbrella and foster communication and exchange of knowledge, ideas and resources among these organizations. Currently, IFMS has more than forty members. Today, IFMS is very actively engaged in developing capacity related to Weather and Climate through various means, especially by creating awareness and initiating Education and Training Programmes for teachers and students at different levels such as Schools, Colleges and Universities. IFMS is also encouraging countries to form NMSs and RMSs of their own so that weather and climate related issues can reach more and more people all over the world.

Currently, Dr. Sushil Kumar Dash is a member in the Council of IFMS representing Region II Countries of WMO. He also chairs IFMS Committee on Education and Training. An effective Education & Training Programme is being designed and implemented for the teachers and students of eleven East African countries where several eminent scientists have joined hands together. Eleven topics have been identified so far by holding several virtual meetings amongst volunteers. Courses and lecture notes are being prepared for each of the eleven topics tailor made for African nations.  In additional to global issues, emphasis has been given on the local weather and climate which are close to the people living in a region.