f
of very important bibliographical aids. A catalogue of publications
is printed each year. In 1963-64 UNESCO appointed three working
parties to consider problems relating to scientific publications,
automatic documentation (storage and retrieval), and scientific
translation and terminology. Within the framework of the United
Nations Technical Assistance Programme, it is undertaking the
development of a world-wide network of documentation centres;
twelve have already been established.
2.1.2 Working under the authority of the general assembly, the
Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), makes studies, reports and
recommendations on international economic, social, cultural, edu
cational, health and related matters, as well as human rights and
fundamental freedom; calls international conferences when needed;
gives information and assistance to the Security Council as required
and, with the approval of the General Assembly, performs services
within its scope for Member States. Its committees include the
committee on housing, building and planning which is concerned
with housing, building, physical planning and urbanisation prob
lems, paying particular attention to less developed areas of the
world and giving direct technical assistance to governments through
regional housing centres. An annual publication containing technical
articles is produced.
2.1.3 The objectives of FAO are to raise the levels of nutrition
and standards of living of the peoples under the jurisdiction of
member governments; to secure improvements in the efficiency
of production and distribution of all food and agricultural products;
to better the conditions of rural populations, thus contributing
towards an expanding world economy and ensuring humanity's
freedom from hunger. It produces a number of regular publications
including the 'Monthly Bulletin of Agricultural Economics and
Statistics', a primary source of facts and statistics on world food
and agricultural conditions; 'World Fisheries Abstracts'published
bimonthly, and a number of other statistical items. In addition
more than 600 non-periodical publications have been produced.
2.2 International Federation of Surveyors (FIG)
2.2.1 The proposal to found an International Federation of
Surveyors (Fédération Internationale des Góomètres; FIG) was
first discussed at a meeting of surveyors, held in Paris on the
occasion of an international exhibition in 1878the meeting was
attended by representatives of eight European countries. The
next important step was taken by the Union Beige des Géomètres-
Experts, who convened an international conference in Brussels in
1910, attended by representatives of 10 countries. During the
years that followed, the organisation of the Federation was for
malised and statutes were issued. Membership of FIG was open to
national associations of surveyors and there are 31 member as
sociations at the present time.
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