About FEMTEC

Who we are

World Federation of Hydrotherapy and Climatotherapy, known as FEMTEC is a free association, gathering public and private bodies in the field of hydrotherapy, balneotherapy, thalassotherapy climatotherapy, spa medicine, thermal treatments, wellness, traditional, complementary and integrative medicine that applies natural therapeutic factors for the prevention of diseases, the maintenance of health and rehabilitation after certain medical conditions. Here they meet more than 40 members countries (either statutory or affiliated).

The main purposes of FEMTEC include:

representing and promoting the medical values of hydrotherapy and climatotherapy (and all the subcategories) before the different national and international institutions and public health policy makers;
promoting international cooperation, in research, education, training, and shared experience in the sector.

What individualizes this association in the conceptual landscape of hydrotherapy and climatotherapy is the holistic approach of all activities belonging to a thermal resort , focused on consumer/patient rights and safety, staff education and training, natural resources` protection, engineering, tourism, management and legal aspects.

In this context, FEMTEC has several Commissions (Medical, Tourism & Health, Technical, Economy & Technological Innovation, SPA Management, International Business Office) and a number of sub-commissions (Integrated Thermal Medicine, Complementary Medicine, Scientific Research) operating in the medical, economic, technical, and social sectors. FEMTEC has 4 permanent Training Centres: Italy (Thermae Campus); Russia (in cooperation with the International Russian Academy of Tourism, RMAT); China (in cooperation with CHTA); Tunisia (in cooperation with the Ministry of Health).

As Non-State Actor, FEMTEC brings the voices and experiences of different parts of society and communities (millions of patients and health professionals) into WHO’s work.

“Official relations” is a privilege given by the Executive Board of WHO for continued, sustained and systematic engagement to support and implement the Organization’s policies and recommendations as well as the application of WHO’s technical norms and standards.

Institutional relations are also in place between FEMTEC and the European SPA Association (ESPA), the World Tourism Organization (WTO), the International Society of Medical Hydrology and Climatology (ISMH), and the Global Wellness Institute (GWI), as well as other outstanding international organizations.

Our history

The “birth certificate” of FEMTEC, firstly named FITEC, dates back in 1947, between August 26^th and September, 2^nd when in Marianské-Lazné – Piestany, the former Czechoslovakia, was held the founding congress. .

In the second and third decade of the XX Century scientist were concerned with organizing international associations with the object of study, research and discussions generated using natural therapeutic factors known since antiquity for their beneficial effects on the health of the population. This is how in 1937 “International Balneal Association” or “International Federation of Balneological, Climatic and Sea Resorts” appeared and held two international congresses in 1938 and in 1939. Between 1940 – 1946 the activity was interrupted due to second World War. In 1946 the members constated the dissolution of this society.

In November 1946 was settled an organizing committee for the establishment of a new thermal and climatic association/federation, to prepare the statute, regulations and convene a congress for 1947. August 26th – September 2nd 1947 – Marianské-Lazné – Piestany international congress grants approval of the statutes and regulations of a new Thermal and Climate Federation. At this Congress 19 States were represented by 137 specialist participants. The first President was Prof. August Shrimer, who ruled FITEC between 1949 – 1968, followed by Guy Ebrard (1968 – 1998), Nicolay Storozhenco (1998 – 2014) and Prof. Umberto Solimene (2014 – 2023). In 1998 the acronym FITEC has been changed into FEMTEC.

Each of these personalities contributed to the development and affirmation of this federation:

have increased visibility (through numerous conferences, international meetings), the number of members extending the network of balneal countries;
initiated FITEC’s relations with the World Health Organisation, and have stimulated the application of common international standards in hydro/balneotherapy;
have stimulated extension to East Asia countries (Japan, China, Korea), North Mediterranean countries (Tunisia, Jordan), Latin American and Caribbean countries (Cuba, Brasil);
have supported introducing of cutting-edge technologies in balneotherapy, digitization of patients` monitoring processes, launching innovative international projects, to encourage collaboration between Asian, European and Latin American balneological traditions, stimulated education and training at highest level of professionals.
FEMTEC has developed from a European organization founded in 1947 to a global reference federation in balneotherapy and climatotherapy in relation with and acknowledged by WHO as NGO in “Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine” Unit.

During its life, FEMTEC sometimes seemed to fall asleep but always revived, re- constructed, re – invented itself and adapted to new conditions to serve society in its needs for health.

Statutes

The statute serves as the NGO’s constitution and is essential for establishing its legal existence and guiding its activities. It is a formal, legal document that outlines the organization’s foundational structure, purpose, and operating procedures. The statute provides clarity on the organization’s mission, governance, membership, requirements, management structure, financial management, and general operating rules, ensuring transparency and accountability, to.

According to the statute approved by the General Assembly in 2012, the association was based in Milan.

As time goes by, some articles became obsolete and must be adapted, amended or completed with the legal changes that have arisen. These activities are subject to General Assembly approval. At 74 FEMTEC Scientific Congress and General Assembly, members asked to update the statute. The members`proposal were gathered and introduced in the content of the 2012 statute.

In 2024, with the occasion of 75 FEMTEC Scientific Congress and General Assembly the new articles were submitted one by one to the General Assembly. The amendments and modifications were approved by the General Assembly. The new statute was presented to a notary office to be registered. The document attached contains: the certificate of registration, the statute in English and Italian language, the authorization of the translation.