IBA has begun the process of an ambitious initiative to greatly expand programs in the realms of conservation implementation, scientific voice, and capacity building, thus improving its ability to execute its mission. In 2014 at the Council meeting in Thessaloniki Greece, as a result of the continued growth and unsustainable workload on IBA’s all-volunteer Council, Committees, and IBN staff, a committee was formed to develop a strategic plan. The first step of this process was a survey in 2015 and IBA members were asked to provide input and guidance for IBA going into the future. The message from that survey was clear: IBA members value the organization, especially its conferences, publications, its grants programs, and its collegial almost family-like culture. In 2017, IBA was fortunate to be offered pro-bono services of the world-renowned management consulting firm, Oliver Wyman. The Oliver Wyman Management Consulting firm spent three months interviewing IBA members and other similar non-profits to develop a plan for IBA to move forward with growth while maintaining the core values of a professional scientific organization. This became known as the transition process and its purpose is to increase our ability to deliver on our core goal: conservation and restoration of the world’s bears through science-based research, management, and education.
Using the material provided to IBA from Oliver Wyman, Council and several other IBA members participated in a facilitated workshop for beginning the process of implementing Oliver Wyman’s transition plan. The workshop was conducted by Diana Pound of Dialogue Matters on 15 September 2018 in Ljubljana, Slovenia. From this workshop, the Structural Change Working Group developed a plan for the Structural Evolution of IBA. This plan was adopted by Council on 24 June 2019.
This page is dedicated to providing members and the public with information about the evolving Structural Plan and transition process. IBA is committed to implementing this plan for the good not only of bears around the world but also for the professionals that dedicate their lives to understanding, managing, conserving, researching and helping bears! We always welcome member feedback and questions, please don’t hesitate to contact either Jennapher Teunissen van Manen (Director of Operations) or any Council member with any questions.
© 2025 International Association for Bear Research and Management.
We are a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land, sea and waters, of the area that we live, work and research across the earth. We recognise their continued custodianship and connection to the land, waters and community. We respect and honor Elders past, present and emerging. Our hope is that we move forward with open minds listening and learning from their wisdom and knowledge.