Who we are
IFAFA is a support and lobby group for spouses and partners of DFAT officers that focuses on the opportunities and challenges that the diplomatic life style poses for the spouse/partner and the family.
We aim to promote greater contact and communication among our members both at home and abroad, to identify common problems and seek appropriate solutions, for instance in form of lobbying the DFAT for improved conditions for the families of officers.
We also actively participate in the work of EUFASA (European Union Foreign Affairs Family Association network) by sharing our experience and learning from other EU member states.
We aim to promote greater contact and communication among our members both at home and abroad, to identify common problems and seek appropriate solutions, for instance in form of lobbying the DFAT for improved conditions for the families of officers.
We also actively participate in the work of EUFASA (European Union Foreign Affairs Family Association network) by sharing our experience and learning from other EU member states.
A short history
Pioneering women who felt the need for more support on a posting for spouses established IFASA (Irish Foreign Affairs Spouses Association) in 1979 in New York.
First IFASA Committee was formed in 1980 and already in 1981 it successfully negotiated planned postings for DFA officers.
The name was later changed to IFAFA (Irish Foreign Affairs Family Association) to be more inclusive and reflect changes both in society and in the DFA.
How do we work
IFAFA consists of full and associate members and is managed by a Committee that meets every month. Committee members are elected by full IFAFA members at the annual general meeting for one year.
Committee members take on various roles such as:
- Chairperson
- Secretary/Office manager
- Treasurer
- EUFASA representative
- Associate members’ representative
- Events manager
- Communications officer
- Research officer
What do we do
Liaise with and lobby the DFAT
Committee members seek regular meetings with the DFAT, especially representatives of HR department and the Head of Corporate Services to discuss concerns raised by IFAFA members.
Research
We collect information on current concerns of IFAFA members that are discussed and acted on by the Committee. These can happen in the form of an email, on-line survey, google docs discussion or other on-line tools.
Example of this research, conducted by one of our members, can be found here.
Social events
We provide an opportunity to meet in person, create sense of belonging. IFAFA organizes following events: annual lunch, monthly drop in lunch, bridge club, reading club, pub quiz and others.
Educational events
In the past, IFAFA organized seminar on pensions, seminar on jobs, seminar on the impact of mobility on children and others. We aim to adjust the themes of educational seminars to the needs of our members and therefore always welcome suggestions.
Pre and after-posting assistance
We take part in pre-posting seminars organized by DFAT and we encourage returning spouses/partners to contact us on their return.
Communication
We enhance communication among our members. We share information we find relevant, such as DFAT policy changes, upcoming events, Committee decisions and results of lobbying efforts, results of surveys and research.
E-mail – raise an issue with IFAFA Committee, get in touch with a spouse currently/recently posted at a specific posting or any other matter, you can contact us at ifafadublin@gmail.com
Website content includes country profiles, research, contacts to other members www.ifafa.org
Our Facebook page provides a platform for instant messaging
EUFASA
We take part in a European network of similar organizations, exchange policy practices with other countries and work together to promote more family friendly policies on European level.
Current issues
- Compensation for the loss of pension
- Work for spouses on postings/at home
- Duty of care to spouses and families of DFAT officers
- Recognition of unmarried couples
- Third culture children
- Car insurance
Past achievements
- Planned postings and rotation to take place typically during summer school holidays
- Rent on posting 100% covered (subject to agreed ceilings)
- School fees for children on posting 100% covered
- Bilateral agreements with other countries to grant work permit to spouses (there are currently 15 agreements in place)
- Language training for spouses and children
- Postal vote for officers and spouses overseas
- Citizenship rights legislation amended so that foreign born spouses can count years on posting as being equivalent to years spent in Ireland
How do you become a member
IFAFA always welcomes new members. The more people we represent, the more weight we can put on our demands in negotiations with stakeholders.
There are two options for membership:
Full member
- A spouse or partner of a serving officer of the (DFAT), including serving officers when posted abroad
- A spouse or partner of an officer temporarily seconded to the DFAT either serving abroad or in Ireland for the duration of that secondment
- A spouse of an officer of the DFAT on temporary secondment [to another Government
- Department or intergovernmental or international organization]
- A single officer with child(ren), when posted abroad
Associate member
- A spouse or partner of a retired or deceased officer of the DFAT
- A divorced or separated spouse of an officer of DFAT
Please send an email to ifafadublin (at) gmail.comand we will guide you through the registration process.
Upon completion, we will provide you access to our member website (www.ifafa.org). We look forward to serving you.