Archive of the International Life Saving Federation of Europe (ILSE)

  • ILS Europe

The International Life Saving Federation (ILS) is the world’s non-profit association of aquatic Lifesavers and aquatic Lifesaving organizations. The International Life Saving Federation of Europe (ILSE) is the European branch of ILS. ILSE is an umbrella organisation, representing federations working in the field of Water Safety in Europe. Our members are representing more than 5 million Lifesavers and Lifeguards all over Europe. If you need specific information about Lifesaving in a particular nation, please contact our members or refer to the relevant website.

Through our own work and that of our Member Federations, we lead the global effort to reduce injury and death in, on, or around the water. We aid in the global exchange of lifesaving information, promote the best lifesaving practices, help establish lifesaving organizations in areas of Europe where they are needed, act as the European Federation for lifesaving sport, and work with other international bodies with similar goals.

 

  • History

The merging of the common objectives of the Fédération Internationale de Sauvetage aq­uatique (FIS) and the World Life Saving (WLS) was realized by forming a new larger inter­na­tional life saving organisation. The new world body was founded on 24th February 1993 in Leu­ven/Belgium by the official signing of the merging agreement between FIS and WLS. On the same date FIS and WLS agreed a draft ILS Constitution and draft Bye-Laws. The Interna­tional Life Saving Federation (ILS) was constituted on 3rd September 1994 in Cardiff (Wales/United Kingdom).

In order to promote closer relationships and activities within a continent or other area of the world, Regional Branches of ILS were founded. Their role is to co-ordinate various Member Federations on all regional activities, help any country requesting assistance and conduct ex­pansion campaigns among nearby countries which are not members of ILS.

Four different Regional Branches were formed: Africa, Americas, Asia/Pacific and Europe. All ILS Member Federations within a geographical and political region are automatically Members of the corresponding Regional Branch. All European Member Federations belong to the INTERNATIONAL LIFE SAVING FEDERATION OF EUROPE (ILSE).

 

  • Archive

The International Life Saving Federtation of Europe (ILSE) has decided to set up its own archive. From October 2019 to January 2020 the work was carried out and concluded by Dr. Peter Josef Belli (Certified Archivist, Berlin, Germany) and Janik Weidemann (Temporary help).

 

Dr. Peter Josef Belli (Certified Archivist, Berlin, Germany)