Observations from the President of the International Organization
development Association IODA in October 2008
October 2008 will remain in many people’s memories, and
also in national memories around the globe, as the month when much
of their savings and financial resources were lost. The world has
been made fearful by one of its most complex and dangerous financial
crises– and all is not over yet. A global economy that is
ruled only by share holder value and short-term impact on balance
sheets is driving our world into the abyss.
How correct and topical members of the International Organization
Development Association IODA were when they stated in the opening
of their 2008 World Conference in Ghana that “Challenges
in our world today make OD more important
than ever before”!
Prof. John Adams from San Francisco summarized the quintessence
of a Delphi process among IODA members from all continents with
the following words:
“Our world is changing at an accelerating rate, and
in multiple dimensions. These emerging trends and forces are
changing
the context in which organizations function,
how organizations relate to their communities, and the capabilities
of their leaders
for keeping up with externally driven requirements
to change. This project provides a strategic perspective for
the field and the
practice of OD generally, and for the continuing
professional development of OD practitioners in change leadership
capabilities in particular.”
Health is becoming the most precious commodity on earth in this
and in the centuries to come. Health is the precondition for high
performance, economical growth and valuable lives. People can only
stay healthy - and hence highly productive - in an environment
and within organizations which are healthy. Also, in ailing systems
even the healthiest individual soon becomes ill. Psychological
health is not just the result of eating good food, participating
in sports and getting sufficient sleep; it is the result of healthy
social processes in societies, companies and families which are
in tune with our nature. OD takes the company’s perspective
into account.
We are often asked, “What is OD actually about and what
is the difference between Human Resources Development (HRD) and
Organization Development (OD)?”
Let me share two slides with you that I often use to make it
easier to understand what the differences are:
Both disciplines have their interfaces of course. And both are
important for health resource development and capacity building.
However there is a difference: Human Resources Development HRD
focuses mainly on the development of Human Capital. Organization
Development OD focuses on the development of Social Capital.
While Human Resources Development has more the individual view
(for instance it prepares a staff member for an excellent career),
OD deals with the improvement of qualities of social systems. It
makes staff members understanding that they are part of a bigger
organism: the organization. Organizations are in permanent exchange
with each other and with their environment. OD helps to inspire
global responsibility in individuals.
That’s why Organization Development is a discipline that needs to be strengthened world wide. The International Organization Development Association IODA www.iodanet.org founded in 1986 is the organization that has committed itself to support this challenging goal
What is IODA?
IODA’s history, purpose, vision and mission speak
about the goals of the only truly world wide OD organization
IODA’s history: A small group of OD practitioners from 13 countries discovered they shared common goals in their OD practices and agreed to establish an association that would contribute to human development and organizational excellence worldwide. The first IODA conference was held in Israel in 1986.
Today there are IODA members located in more than 50 countries. An international conference is held each year in a different country.
IODA’s purpose is dedicated to supporting and strengthening OD principles at the international level through research, academic OD programs, peer mentoring and coaching, networking and sharing of knowledge, international projects, and cultural interchange.
IODA’S vision is to be a vibrant, cross-cultural community of OD practitioners committed to the growth of OD practices around the world...
IODA’s mission is to offer members the opportunity to share with one another their accumulated experience, knowledge and skills. Since its inception, IODA’s strategy and operation has been based on four principles:
1. Dedication to OD principles and values at the worldwide
level.
2. Maintaining a professional, decentralized and participative
association.
3. Commitment to the expansion of OD practice in member
countries.
4. Promotion of cultural interchanges through the sharing
of multicultural values and international experience.
IODA’s President, VP and EC are from different countries and continents.
All of IODA’s operations, networking, activities, goals and mission aims and takes place internationally.
IODA’s member benefit:
•
Networking with OD experts around the world
IODA’s members are part of an international network of OD experts working for profit and non-profit organizations and local and multinational companies in a wide range of fields: municipalities and governmental entities; NGOs and community development organizations; the natural resource, finance, construction, fishing and service industries; pharmaceutical companies and health care organizations; manufacturing firms; military forces; family-owned enterprises and retail companies; print and electronic media; and academic and research centers.
•
Sharing knowledge through
electronic communications and publications
IODA hosts a Website and Listserv and publishes an electronic newsletter, IODA ONLINE NEWS, which provides information on member OD practices and issues.
•
Participating in professional development opportunities
Members have access to professional development opportunities within IODA—from serving on the Executive Committee to being selected as Liaisons to represent their countries to the greater membership. Regional networks can found their own organizations using the name of IODA. The Executive Committee reflects the international make up of the organization and includes both the current and future Conference Chairs.
•
Teaching or providing training in OD programs
IODA has been actively involved in setting up and providing teaching opportunities for members in academic and non-academic OD programs.
•
Offering peer mentoring and coaching for new OD consultants
A new program for IODA is offering members the opportunity at annual conferences to coach or mentor less experienced OD professionals
•
Affiliations with other major OD organizations and regional networks
IODA has entered into professional agreements with both OD Network and ASTD, resulting in reduced membership and registration fees for IODA members, a sharing of knowledge and resources, and mutual research opportunities.
•
Winning the Richard-Beckard-Awards (RBA)
IODA-members are honored for outstanding contribution to OD or to IODA’s mission. Sandra Barty, the widow of OD’s pioneer and excellent professional Richard Beckhard, has granted the yearly given award.
•
Young Professionals: Learning
from best practices of international OD consultants
IODA grants a scholarship for a job starter to have an internship over seas
I invite all readers to experience the spirit of IODA!
The most important aspect of IODA’s sense of community is found in its annual World Conferences, which are known for their inspirational and entertaining learning environments.
OD practitioners from around the world convene to share leading edge OD approaches and applications and to have the unique experience of participating in the local traditions, cuisine, and cultural customs of the host country.
IODA’s international annual conferences are held in different countries each year. It provides the lifeblood of the organization. It is at these events that the community gathers to reconnect and reinvent itself. It is here that the energy to sustain this geographically scattered community is built and renewed each year. It is this energy that provides the momentum for growth and sustainability critical to the IODA Community. This has been a powerful dynamic in the history of this community.
Since its foundation, conferences have been or will be held in:
1986
Israel
1995
Israel
2004
Nigeria
1987
Poland
1996
Peru
2005
Mexico
1988
USA
1997
Hungary
2006
Netherlands
1980
Germany
1998
Kenya
2007
Canada
1990
Venezuela
1999
USA
2008
Ghana
1991
Philippines
2000
Thailand
2009
India
1992
England
2001
Germany
2010
Hungary (OD-summit in
1993
South Africa
2002
Chile
preparation)
1994
Spain
2003
Russia
The 24th IODA World Conference will take place in
an area that has highest economical growth rate.
It is your country, it is India! How this economy is
growing will definitively affect the whole world.
India has a long tradition in OD. It will be certainly
very instructive to see how Indian and
international OD experts cross-fertilize our
discipline by sharing and discussing. Suitable to this
concern is the topic: "Fusion of Eastern and
Western Principles -
Creating Sustainable Development Through OD ". The 24th IODA
World Conference will take place in the Indian
Business School, Hyderabad, August 19-22, 2009.
The conference is hosted by the Foundation for Research, Education and Development (FRED). IODA shakes hands with Asia OD Network (AODN) in this conference. let the east and west come together for an exciting learning opportunity.
