Florence Nightingale International Foundation [About FNIF]

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------ About FNIF ------

The Florence Nightingale International Foundation
FNIF Board of Directors
The FNIF Logo – A Symbol of Caring
The Work of FNIF

The Florence Nightingale International Foundation

FNIF is the International Council of Nurses (ICN) premier foundation, it supports and complements the work and objectives of ICN.

Its history dates back to 1912 when a memorial to Florence Nightingale was first proposed by Mrs Ethel Bedford Fenwick at an ICN Congress in Cologne. The vision was of an educational foundation for nurses. As the First World War intervened, it was not until 1929 that the memorial was finally activated by the ICN Grand Council in Montreal. Mrs Bedford Fenwick, the first president of ICN was elected the first chair of the Florence Nightingale Memorial Committee.

From 1931, national Florence Nightingale committees were established in countries where ICN had member associations. In 1932 discussions were held between ICN and the League of Red Cross Societies to use their Red Cross international post-graduate courses as an international memorial to Florence Nightingale.

The ICN Grand Council agreed to take over the international courses, and in 1934, established the Florence Nightingale International Foundation (FNIF) as a living memorial to Florence Nightingale. FNIF became an autonomous organisation under British law with its own governing body and a mandate to develop and promote nursing education world wide.

FNIF is a registered Charity in the United Kingdom and maintains its original purpose; to support the advancement of nursing education, research and services for the public good. Though UK registered, the day-to-day administration is carried out in Geneva through the International Council of Nurses, a federation of 130 national nurses' associations working to ensure quality care for all and sound health policies globally

As you know, Florence Nightingale is considered to be the founder of modern nursing. She was devoted to health, education and research, and worked tirelessly to raise health care standards. We are honoured to continue her legacy.

FNIF Board of Directors 2009 - 2013

The Foundation is governed by an international Board of Directors and administered through the Chief Executive Officer of ICN. Board members include:

Rosemary Bryant, FNIF President and President of ICN
Hiroko Minami, immediate past President of ICN and FNIF
Rudolph Cini, First Vice-President of ICN
James Bissell, professional health administrator in Switzerland.
Richard Bruce Flavell, specialist in bank risk management.
Patrizia Carlevaro, Managing Director, Otsuka Pharmaceutical
Victor West, formerly Director and Council member of the Royal National Pension Fund for Nurses.
Linda Carrier-Walker, former Director of Development and External Relations,
International Council of Nurses.

The FNIF Logo – A Symbol of Caring

The Florence Nightingale International Foundation Logo

The design brings together four elements -- the flame, hand, heart and globe. The flame represents the light of nursing knowledge and caring. It also harks back to the lamp Florence Nightingale carried while caring for the wounded during the Crimean War.

The hand illustrates nurses reaching out to help and comfort others. The white heart characterises the knowledge and humanity that infuse the work and spirit of nursing, and is an important global nursing symbol. The globe shape illustrates the universality of the Foundation and the world in which nurses provide care.

The Work of FNIF

FNIF works independently while at the same time complements and supports the objectives and work of ICN. FNIF's signature project is the Girl Child Education Fund.

© 1999 Florence Nightingale International Foundation (FNIF) Copying, downloading and distribution of material from the FNIF web page is permitted as long as credit in print is given and that the material will not be used for commercial or for-profit purposes without permission.