IFUW's achievements and the influence it has brought to promoting education and shaping a better world, particularly for women and girls, have only been possible because of its members. It is an exciting time. New communication technology is making the exchange of information and member to member contacts possible with an ease and rapidity unimaginable a few years ago. Paradoxically, just as these new avenues are opening, IFUW and its NFAs face some of their greatest constraints.
Women balancing career and home responsibilities have less free time.
Volunteerism is on the decline. Those motivated to join associations have a myriad of professional and issue-oriented organizations to choose from. As a result, IFUW and NFA membership, as well as energy and financial resources, are decreasing. In her speech opening the new triennium in Graz, IFUW President, Linda Souter, said that membership development must be a priority. At the international, national and local levels, we need to examine our organizations and ask ourselves key questions.