The International Federation of Surgical Colleges was established in 1958 as a neutral institute that would speak with a single voice for world surgery. It is based in Lincoln's Inn Fields and constituted as a charity. The members are Surgical Colleges, Associations and Societies across the world.
It organises an annual meeting which, in the 1970s, was regularly held at WHO headquarters.[1]
It is particularly concerned to encourage the interchange of young surgeons between countries.[2]
It is represented on the United Nations Economic and Social Council.[3]
It is involved in the Global Initiative for Emergency and Essential Surgical Care.
Since 1997 it has run surgical courses and workshops in sub-Saharan Africa. It assists with the establishment of National Surgical, Obstetric and Anesthesia Planning in less developed countries.[4]