The FIG handover ceremony took place in the historical city hall of Münster, Germany in December 2. The German Council left leadership of the FIG and handed it over to an international team of individuals elected by the FIG General Assembly – after a 128 year tradition of country based Council administration – a milestone for FIG.
The International Federation of Surveyors (FIG) is an international, non-government organisation whose purpose is to support international collaboration for the progress of surveying in all fields and applications. FIG was founded in 1878 in Paris. It is a federation of national associations and is the only international body that represents all surveying disciplines. It realises its aim by promoting the practice of the profession and encouraging the development of professional standards.
The mayor of Münster, Ms. Beate Vilhjamsson, welcomed more than 40 invited representatives from FIG, German Association for Geodesy, Geo-Information and Land Management (DVW), the host of FIG Council for the last four years, and German agencies in the “Friedensaal” (Hall of Piece) – a famous place because of the treaty of 1648 that ended the 30-years lasting war, giving peace and bringing decisive territorial changes in Europe.
Mr. Hagen Graeff, DVW President reminded in his welcome address that the German Council has brought new spirit into FIG over the last four years and that the German FIG Presidency has especially made a special contribution on political activities. Mr. Graeff handed over a cheque representing a value of € 20,000 for the FIG Foundation as result from the FIG Congress in Munich.
Combined to the handover ceremony the new Council had its first informal meeting and both Councils gathered for a joint meeting that was also the last for the current Council. Formally the term of office for the new Council starts 1 January 2007.