The International Federation of Inventors’ Associations (IFIA) has approved the establishment of a new Department of Social Innovation & Community Development. The department was approved at IFIA’s 52nd Executive Committee meeting and was presented by FICI, Canada’s official representative to IFIA. FICI’s President, Babak Khodaparast, has been appointed its Director.
Why it matters
The department strengthens IFIA’s mission of advancing invention, innovation, entrepreneurship and commercialization, while generating measurable social and economic impact through education, inclusion, employment development, startup support and community-driven innovation. It expands access to innovation for persons with disabilities, newcomers, emerging innovators and historically underrepresented communities, while keeping IFIA’s core focus on invention, intellectual property and commercialization.
Five pillars
The department is organized around five pillars: social innovation; inventor development; community and economic development; innovation access programs; and events and global networking.
A Canadian platform
The department’s official public platform is Inclusive Innovators, the Canadian initiative presented by FICI that connects innovators with educational resources, collaborative programs and international opportunities.
Read IFIA’s announcement on ifia.com, and learn more about our Social Innovation & Community Development program and Inclusive Innovators.