Strategic Framework

ILS has developed a Strategic Plan which contains:

Vision

The International Lifesaving Federation (ILS) leads the world-wide effort to reduce injury and death in, on, or around the water.
Through ILS and its members, research, development, education and rescue information is generated and disseminated world-wide.
ILS members value their involvement.
Productive effective management systems are sustained by a sound business plan.
Lifesaving sport continues to demonstrate its contribution to the profile, positioning, education and membership of ILS.
Lifesavers and lifeguards world-wide, through their national organisations, are actively involved in advancing the International Lifesaving Federation's mission.

To enhance the safety and preservation of human life in the aquatic environment by:

Co-ordinating and facilitating the work of national life saving organisations.
Facilitating and developing exchange of information and research and dissemination of best practices.
Working with member organisations to establish and support lifesaving organisations in geographic areas where they do not now exist.
Developing life saving by acting as the International Federation for lifesaving sport;
Co-operating with other international bodies with shared goals.

In the “spirit of lifesaving” the ILS believes in:

We are frank and open, in our communication with full disclosure of information.
We support each other and value the wealth of experience and knowledge each of us brings to our common goals.
We identify and address issues, problems and conflicts in a timely manner.
We work towards the common good, while respecting our differences.
We seek first to understand then to be understood; we listen carefully.
We are open-minded in decision making, are supportive in implementing decisions and hold ourselves accountable for the outcome.
We are respectful of and adapt our approach to support the language, religious and cultural needs of our diverse membership or we are respectful of the language, religious and cultural differences within our diverse membership and adjust our approach to facilitate maximum participation.

To advocate with national governments and non-governmental organisations to establish drowning as a public safety issue, to establish ILS, including its member organisations as the world authority in the field of drowning prevention and lifesaving sport.
To increase the ILS revenue base, and diversify the sources of revenue for ILS.
To produce the world drowning report.
To improve the management and conduct of ILS World Championships and the development of lifesaving sport at all levels.
To create and implement a strategy to support sustainable lifesaving infrastructure and initiatives in developing nations.
To create and implement a strategy to increase participation of youth in lifesaving.