International collaboration is vital to achieve solutions to today's global challenges such as the climate change, energy transition and health. The future depends on how global society addresses these challenges, the intersections of technology and its services to humanity. Engineering and science communities have an important role to play in shaping the future.
Almost 300 of IVA's 1.300 Fellows are based outside Sweden. The Fellows are an important part of the academy’s international network. Another important part is other national academies. IVA develops these relations through knowledge exchange, public policy projects and science advise.
Globally, IVA works together with national engineering, science and technology academies through CAETS, an independent non-profit organisation. CAETS functions as a forum for consideration of technology-related issues of global significance. On a European level, IVA is a member of Euro-CASE, an independent non-profit organisation of national academies of Engineering, Applied Sciences and Technology. Together, the academies foster public understanding of the applications of technology and promote the improvement of engineering education, collaborate in international projects on topical themes.
IVA and Euro-CASE also provides independent scientific advice to European Commissioners to support their decision-making.
Read the latest position paper from Euro-CASE regarding the recovery from the corona pandemic.
IVA supports a number of international organisations through long term in-depth cooperation. These strategic partner organisations are organisations that contribute to strengthening fact-based policy advice, international cooperation and research exchanges. Partner organisations are among others; the New York Academy of Sciences, The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and World Energy Council.
Global outlook is an important element in the Academy work. Benchmarking, trendspotting and best practise are vital components and have been so for many years. Already in the 1940's IVA began to work as a networking enabling organization with monitoring of global affairs with posted experts. Their job was to follow the technology development in the country and report back to IVA in Sweden. In 1984 the Patron of IVA, the King of Sweden, initiated international study trips; Royal Technology Missions (RTM). The RTM’s are thematical with focus on research, business and public policy. The RTM’s instantly became a concept and has continued ever since.
Study trips on topical themes are a recurring activity within the projects. It is also an important part of the Leadership Programme IFG, that IVA run for young leaders within research, development and innovation.
