What We Do

As an organization of national professional associations of Dietitians and Nutritionists, we support national dietetic associations and their members beyond borders.

The International Confederation
of Dietetic Associations

The International Confederation of Dietetic Associations (ICDA) is an organization of national associations of Dietitians and Nutritionists. Dietetic associations are professional societies whose members have education qualifications in food, nutrition and dietetics recognized by a national authority. Dietitians and Nutritionists are widely recognized as health professionals who promote health through food and nutrition. The nationally recognized professional title in some countries is Dietitian and in other countries it is Nutritionist. Some countries officially recognize both titles. 

01.

We develop international standards of good practice by building consensus among national dietetics associations around the world.

02.

We enhance the image of the profession by communicating the ethical standards, standards of good practice and education qualifications of dietetics professionals.

03.

We raise awareness of the dietetics profession through affiliation with regional and international food, nutrition and health organizations and professional associations.

04.

We study the work and education of Dietitians and Nutritionists around the world.

05.

We support collaboration among dietetics associations to promote sharing of knowledge and professional perspectives across the world.

06.

We support dialogue among Dietitians and Nutritionists around the world to promote sharing of knowledge, practice perspectives and resources through our networking service, newsletter and the International Congress of Dietetics.

Our Mission

The International Confederation of Dietetic Associations (ICDA) is the largest world-wide body of dietetics professionals. It supports national dietetic associations (NDA) and their members, beyond national and regional boundaries, by providing:

  • Guidance, development and increased awareness of the standards of education and training that underpin the profession.
  • Leadership in dietetics in various contexts, with a focus on evidence based nutrition and dietetics practice.
  • An integrated communications system for members.
  • Networking and professional development opportunities.
  • Promotion of the role of nutrition and dietetics professionals in enhancing health, supporting human development, and reducing disease.

Our Goals

  • Increasingly dietitian-nutritionists meet international competency standards for safe, ethical and evidence-based autonomous practice;
  • Improved knowledge transfer;
  • Decision makers in health, agriculture and food have readily available advice from dietitian-nutritionists on sustainable food systems that promote healthy diets;
  • Health agencies and health professionals are increasingly able to identify that dietitian-nutritionists are key members of the teams for reducing the burden of poor nutrition;
  • ICDA is a strong, respected and valued global professional network

Actionable Goals

Create opportunities to build knowledge about the profession by:

  • Raising awareness of International Competence Standards for Dietitian-Nutritionists.
  • Implementing the International Accreditation Process for Education Programmes for Dietitian-Nutritionists.
  • Continuing to support continuing education and professional development.
  • Continued monitoring of changes in education, practice and work of dietitian-nutritionists.
  • Publishing a vision for dietitian-nutritionist education, training and practice to guide future development.

Build Network Capacity by:

  • Developing an ICDA Commission for Dietitian-Nutritionist Education and Accreditation (I-CDEA).
  • Developing a Board Communications Plan.
  • Strengthening liaison with regional and national dietetic organisations.
  • Maintaining and continuing to develop the ICDA Newsletter.
  • Reviewing ICDA By-laws to identify barriers to ICDA leadership.
  • Developing leadership potential of National Dietetic Associations and their Representatives.

Increase opportunities for the profession to make its contribution by:

  • Encouraging National Dietetic Associations to join ICDA.
  • Identifying financial barriers to membership of ICDA and explore funding opportunities.
  • Development of consensus statements.
  • Working with other organisations and international groups eg. NGOs, food industry, when appropriate and developing policies to facilitate collaboration if required.

Marketing of ICDA and the profession by:

  • Establishing a marketing committee and revising the existing Marketing Plan.
  • Participating in events organised by external organisations “Align with the best”.
  • Creating new ways for Members to share best marketing practices.
  • Utilizing the full functionality of the ICDA website.

Strategic Collaborations

ICDA is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation, which constantly maintains its independence and integrity. ICDA will form strategic collaborations – working in partnership with other entities – to achieve its mission and goals.

ICDA guidelines for collaboration with the broader food, nutrition and health sector organizations and companies have the objective of increasing ICDA’s potential through receipt of funds and/or services from sponsoring corporations and other entities while maintaining its integrity and independence, as well as the professional standing of its members.

A wide range of options exists for companies and other entities to collaborate with ICDA. This type of collaboration can support both ICDA’s objectives as well as those of the collaborating entity. ICDA understands that forming new partnerships is a positive step towards promoting its objectives and aspirations.

For the above reasons, the ICDA will not sign sponsorship and/or collaboration agreements with organisations, entities or companies that have objectives, marketing strategies or practices that contradict, hinder or obstruct its mission, values, or the ethics of the profession.

Our History

The International Confederation of Dietetic Associations has a history that began in 1952 with the first International Congress of Dietetics in Amsterdam. From that point forward an international committee and a national dietetic association hosted the International Congress of Dietetics every four years.

Early proposals and decisions about an international forum for dietitians are described in A History of the British Dietetic Association. Newman Books; London; 1961; pp 65 – 69

1996

Vision 20/20 presented at the XII International Congress of Dietetics set a new course for an international organization. Dietetics Around the World was launched as ICDA’s regular newsletter.

2000

At the XIII International Congress of Dietetics, official delegates of national dietetic associations adopted a new name and the first Mission statement for the International Confederation of Dietetic Associations.

2004

At the XIV International Congress of Dietetics official Representatives approved the first international standard.

2006

The International Confederation of Dietetic Associations was incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation in Canada.

2010

We have over 40 national dietetic associations members, who together represent over 160,000 Dietitians.

2012

At the annual meeting new Articles and a new By-law were approved for continued incorporation under a new Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act.  The new By-law permits up to two national associations of dietitians within a country to be Members.

Scroll to Top