PREAMBLE: Universal Principles of Civic Education

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

II.OBJECTIVES

III. MEMBERS

IV. SECTIONS, NETWORKS, CORRESPONDENTS

A) EIP SECTIONS

B) EIP NETWORKS

C) CORRESPONDENTS

V. ORGANS

A) COUNCIL OF REPRESENTATIVES

B) ASSEMBLIES

C) BOARD OF DIRECTORS

D) GENERAL SECRETARIAT

E) FINANCE COMMITTEE

VI. FINANCES & MEMBERSHIP FEES

VII. MODIFICATIONS OF STATUTES

 

I GENERAL INFORMATION

Article 1

Constitution

The World Association for the School as an Instrument of Peace, also known as EIP, is an international, non-profit association of unlimited duration, conforming to Article 60 and subsequent articles of the Swiss Civil Code..

Article 2

Character                                   
EIP is a non-governmental organisation, which does not belong to any political, philosophical or religious group.

Article 3

Headquarters                          
The Association has its headquarters in Geneva, which can be moved only by unanimous decision of its Council of Representatives.

II OBJECTIVES

Article 4

General Objective                 
The mission of EIP is to promote human rights and peace education worldwide, in particular by the non-violent resolution of conflicts and by the battle against all forms of inequality and injustice, sources of division and exclusion.

Article 5

Specific Objectives                 
EIP actively works for greater general awareness of the role schools should play in service to humanity by

- developing attitudes favouring personal growth and acceptance of others;
- encouraging new cooperative and peaceful behaviour between individuals, groups and countries;
- ensuring that ways of improving knowledge of peace and human rights education  can be passed on to others.

Article 6

Principles                                   
EIP directs all its efforts towards the worldwide diffusion of the Universal Principles of Civic Education as defined in the Preamble.

III MEMBERS

Article 7

Quality                                   
Any person or entity subscribing to the objectives stated in Articles 4, 5 and 6 may join the World Association for the School as an Instrument of Peace (EIP).

Article 8

Membership                       
Membership is effective upon payment of the annual membership fee.

Article 9

Exclusion                                   
Any member ceasing to subscribe to EIP’s objectives and/or acting against its interests will be excluded from the Association. The exclusion decision will be taken by the Council of Representatives.  If necessary, the Board of Directors can make a provisional exclusion decision, which it subsequently submits to the Council of Representatives for a definitive decision.

IV             SECTIONS, NETWORKS, CORRESPONDENTS

A) EIP SECTIONS

Article 10

Definition                                   
EIP may bring together members from the same region, country or location to form EIP Sections.

Article 11

Organisation                 
a)          Each EIP Section must have its own statutes conforming to the law of its country and which include the following:

- a clear statement that the group is part of the World Association for the School as an Instrument of Peace (EIP) and regroups its members as part of that Association;
- a reproduction of the objectives of EIP;
- the guarantee that the group will function democratically.

b) In order to accomplish EIP’s objectives, EIP Sections carry out activities according to their level (regional, national or local). They coordinate their activities with EIP’s General Secretariat, under the responsibility of the Board of Directors, as well as with other EIP Sections.   They make regular reports of their activities to the General Secretariat, as well as to the Council of Representatives. 

c) EIP Sections must keep up to date, for the Association, their Register of Members.  The may confide the collection of their membership fees to the Board of Directors. 

Article 12

Creation                                   
The creation of EIP Sections is proposed by the Board of Directors, in concert with members, Correspondents and/or active Sections in the zone concerned, and approved by the Council of Representatives. New Sections must present:

- their statutes;
- a list of members;
- a description of activities already carried out, if applicable;
- an action plan.

Article 13

Representation                 
The EIP Sections are convened to participate at Assemblies that concern them.  At this time the person or persons who represent them in the Council of Representatives are designated, in conformance to articles 29 and 30 or these statutes. 

Article 14

Dissolution                                   
If an EIP Section contravenes the objectives and/or interests of EIP, the Board of Directors may render sanctions, pronounce its provisionary dissolution, as well as propose the Section’s definitive dissolution to the Council of Representatives.



B) EIP NETWORKS

Article 15

Definition                                    
a) EIP may regroup certain of its members coming from several countries around a theme or programme of activities within an "EIP Network"

b) EIP Networks conduct activities according to precise themes in order to carry out the objectives of EIP, under the responsibility of the General Secretariat of EIP and of the Board of Directors.

Article 16

Organisation                       
Each EIP Network organises its own functioning in accordance with its theme, and nominates a coordinator, who is charged with maintaining a close link with the General Secretariat and the Board of Directors, with coordinating the activities of the network, assuring internal communication within the network, convening any meetings of the network and ensuring their follow-up, as well as reporting to the Board of Directors and the Council of Representatives. 

Article 17

Creation                                   
The creation of an EIP Network is proposed by the Board of Directors and approved by the Council of Representatives.  Between meetings of the Council, the Board of Directors may provisionally approve the creation of an EIP Network.  All EIP Networks must present:

- a theme or area of activities, with goals;
- a programme of activities;
- a list of members
- its terms of functioning

Article 18

Representation                  
EIP Networks are invited to participate at Assemblies that concern them.  At this time the person or persons who represent them in the Council of Representatives will be designated, in conformance to articles 29 and 30 or these statutes. 

Article 19

Dissolution                  
If an EIP Network contravenes the aims or interests of EIP, the Board of Directors may enforce sanctions and pronounce its provisional dissolution and propose its definitive dissolution to the Council of Representatives.



C) EIP CORRESPONDENTS

 

Article 20

Definition                           
An EIP Correspondent is a person or entity engaged in activities for EIP and the realisation of its aims, during a defined period.  This status can be renewed.

Article 21

Organisation                 
EIP Correspondents are designated by the General Secretariat, under the supervision of the Board of Directors.  The General Secretariat makes a report of the activities of the Correspondents to the Council of Representatives.

V             ORGANS

Article 22

Subdivision of  The Association                      
The organs of the Association are the:

a) Council of Representatives
b) Assemblies
c) Board of Directors
d) General Secretariat
d) Finance Committee

A) COUNCIL OF REPRESENTATIVES

Article 23

Composition                 
a) The Council of Representatives is composed of an equal number of representatives from the Geographical Assemblies (grouping together in particular EIP Sections) on the one hand and from Thematic Assemblies (grouping together in particular EIP Networks) on the other hand, to which is added the representation of the Board of Directors.  
b) The Council of Representatives is presided over by the representation of the Board of Directors.
c) The Council of Representatives consists of from 5 to 11 members, each with one vote, elected for a renewable period of three years. 

Article 24      

Representation                 
a) The Geographical Assemblies grouping together in particular EIP Sections, and the Thematic Assemblies grouping together in particular EIP Networks, each designates an equal number of persons to represent them. 
b) The Board of Directors names one of its members to represent it and preside over the Council.                              

Article 25

Powers                          
The Council of Representatives is the supreme organ of the Association. It has the authority to:

- decide on the admission, suspension or exclusion of a member;
-  modify the statutes, according to the articles in Part VII;
- accept or refuse activity reports covering the period since the last  Council session, presented by the Board of Directors and the General Secretariat;
- accept or refuse the previous year's annual financial statement;
- accept or refuse the Financial Committee's report ;
- accept or refuse the activity reports of the EIP Sections and Networks;
- accept or modify the activities planned for the new financial year, which extends until the next Council session;
- accept or modify the budget for the new financial year,
- determine the annual membership fees,
- elect the members of the Board of Directors and assure that these members can effectively participate in its work,
- determine the composition of the Finance Committee,
- take all decisions relating to achieving the goals and mission of EIP.

Article 26

Sessions                          
a) The Council of Representatives will meet in ordinary session at least once every three years and not more than once a year.
b) Extraordinary sessions may be called by the Board of Directors when they deem it necessary or when two-thirds of the Council of Representatives request such a session or when half the members of the entire Association make a request in writing to the Board of Directors, specifying the specific agenda items.

Article 27

Convocations                 
a) The Board of Directors will advise the representatives of a meeting of the Council of Representatives in writing at least four weeks prior to the meeting date. The convocation must include the meeting's agenda.
b) A letter addressed to the EIP Sections and Networks shall be sent within the same minimum time period, in order that they can present their report to the Council.
c) Notice is also given to all members of the Association, for their information.  

Article 28

Deliberations                  
The Council of Representatives meeting requires a quorum of two-thirds of members to be present and acts by a majority vote of the members present (with the exception of article 3 and of the articles in Part VII)

 

B) ASSEMBLIES

Article 29 

Composition                 
a) Assemblies bring EIP members together on a regional or thematic basis.  They allow members to meet and to make their opinions known between meetings of the Council of Representatives and to designate members of this Council. 
b) The geographical Assemblies bring together EIP Sections, or members, of a geographical area, according to the importance of the EIP activities that are taking place. 
c) The thematic Assemblies bring together members of one or several EIP Networks or thematic programmes, according to the importance of the EIP activities in the area in question.  
d) The ordinary Assemblies bring together EIP members and representatives of both thematic and geographical activities of EIP.
e) The extraordinary Assemblies bring together those members of EIP who are concerned by them. 
f) The Board of Directors has the responsibility of assuring that the Sections, Networks and members are correctly and equitably represented in the Assemblies.                          

Article 30

Power                          
a) The Geographical and Thematic Assemblies have the authority:

- to present general political propositions, to make recommendations and to express their wishes at the Council of Representatives; 
- to entrust mandates of study to the Board of Directors;
- to vote with consultative voice on all question which are submitted to them;
- to designate for their region or their area of activity, for a period of three years, their representatives for the Council of Representatives.

b) The ordinary Assemblies have the power, between session of the Council of Representatives, to examine and provide their approval to:

- annual activity reports from the Board of Directors and from the General Secretariat - annual financial reports
- annual reports from the Finance Committee
- annual programmes of activity
- annual budgets

c) The ordinary Assemblies must make a report to the Council of Representatives for definitive approval and decisions.

d) The extraordinary Assemblies have the power:

- to present general political propositions, to make recommendations and to express their wishes to the Council of Representatives.

Article 31

Session                          
a) The geographical and thematic Assemblies meet at the request of the Board of Directors at least once every three years, between sessions of the Council of Representatives, particularly in order to elect their representative(s). 
b) An ordinary Assembly meets once a year, at a date and time fixed by the Board of Directors, with the possible exception of those years when a session of the Council of Representatives takes place.
c) The extraordinary Assemblies may be called by decision of the Board of Directors or when one fifth of the members of the association requests this in writing to the Board of Directors, indicating the matters to be addressed in the agenda.                        

Article 32

Convocation                 
a) Notices of assemblies are made by publication in the Association's bulletin or by a mailing from the Board of Directors or the General Secretariat to the EIP Sections, Networks or members concerned.
b) Notices of assemblies containing their agenda are published or mailed one month prior to the date of the assembly. 

Article 33

Proceedings and voting                   
An Assembly meets legitimately whatever the number of members present.  It undertakes its proceedings and votes by a simple majority of members present. 

C)            BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Article 34

Composition                 
a) The Board of Directors is composed of a minimum of 3 members and a maximum of 7 members, elected by the Council of Representatives for a period of three years. Members are eligible for re-election.  Members may not be elected at Assemblies of the Council of Representatives. 
b) The Secretary General automatically sits on the Board of Directors and is added to the number of elected members.

Article 35

Powers                                   
a) The Board of Directors has the authority to:

- take all decisions relating to achieving EIP’s goals and mission between meetings of the Council of Representatives;
- organise its internal structure and division of activities;
- elect the persons holding the roles of

• President
• Treasurer

- nominate the person responsible for the General Secretariat
- manage the assets of the Association;
- supervise the work of the General Secretariat;
- coordinate activities between Sections and Networks;
- coordinate and supervise all that concerns the external representation of the Association;
- propose to the Council of Representatives the creation or dissolution of EIP Sections and Networks or the taking of punitive measures against them as necessary;
- exclude members if required and obtain approval for this from the Council of Representatives,
- convoke the Council of Representatives and prepare the agenda,
- present to the Council of Representatives:

• the activity report,
• the financial statement,
• proposed activities,
• the budget,

- convoke Assemblies and prepare their agendas;
- convene working committees for which members may come from outside the Board and/or from EIP Sections and Networks. 

b) Decisions of the Board of Directors are communicated as soon as possible by the General Secretariat to members of the Council of Representatives, to EIP sections, Networks and Correspondents.

Article 36

Session                          
a) The Board of Directors meets in ordinary session at least every six months at the Association’s headquarters. 
b) An extraordinary meeting may be called by the President or at the request of three members when it is deemed necessary.

Article 37

Convocation                 
The Board of Directors will be advised in writing of the meetings by the President of the Board or the General Secretariat. Notices containing the agenda will be sent ten days prior to the meeting.

Article 38

Proceedings and voting                        
A meeting of the Board of Directors .requires a quorum of three members and a majority vote by those members present.

 D)            GENERAL SECRETARIAT

Article 39

Function                          
a) The function of the General Secretariat is to assist the Board of Directors in meeting their responsibilities and to carry out whatever tasks are required for EIP to meet its objectives. 
b) Under the responsibility of the Board of Directors, the General Secretariat designates the EIP correspondents for a definite period and reports on their activities to the Council of Representatives.   
c) Under the responsibility of the Board of Directors, the General Secretariat assures the management of the current business of the Association

Article 40

Organisation                 
a) The General Secretariat is managed by the Secretary General named by the Board of Directors.
b) The Secretary General names his/her own collaborators in function of EIP’s budget and activities. 
c) During their employment, collaborators can claim membership of the General Secretariat and must rigorously demonstrate the fundamental rules of loyalty, fidelity and discretion towards EIP.

E)  FINANCE COMMITTEE

Article 41

Verifiers                          
a) The Finance Committee consists of either 2 people, whether members or not of EIP, or an autonomous body for financial control.  It carries out an annual financial statement and presents a written report of this to all organs concerned.  It presents a written report of this to the Council of Representatives. 
b) The composition of the Finance Committee is fixed by the Council of Representatives. 
c) The Finance Committee is elected for a period of three years and its members are eligible for re-election.

VI             FINANCES & MEMBERSHIP FEES

Article 42

Responsibility                 
The Association assumes sole responsibility for all its acts and commitments undertaken by it or by its members on its behalf.

Article 43

Resources and assets                                 
The Association’s income is composed of membership fees, gifts, grants and other income deriving from its activities.

Within the limits fixed by its objectives, EIP acquires, owns, administers and disposes of its assets as it sees fit.

The administration of assets is assumed by the Board of Directors.

Article 44

Membership fees                 
Annual membership fees are determined by the Council of Representatives. The Board of Directors may delegate the collection of fees to certain EIP Sections. 

Article 45

Control                                   
The annual financial statement:

a) must be reported by the President or the President of the Board of Directors to the Council of Representatives, and
b) is subject to verification and report by accountants designated by the Council of Representatives.

VII            MODIFICATIONS OF STATUTES

Article 46

Modification of  Statutes                     
The current statutes can only be modified by the Council ofRepresentatives with a quorum of two-thirds of its members and a majority vote of two-thirds of the representatives present.

Article 47

Dissolution                          
The dissolution of EIP may only be decided by the Council of Representatives, convened especially for this decision. On this occasion, a quorum of three-quarters of Council members is required.

If the quorum is not met, a second session of the Council of Representatives will be called within thirty days of the earlier meeting, and which will pronounce judgement no matter the number in attendance.

The dissolution of EIP can only be decided with a majority vote of three-quarters of the members present.

Article 48

Property                          
In the case of dissolution, the real and movable assets of EIP will be devolved in full legal right to an organisation dedicated to objectives similar to those of EIP.

VIII            EFFECTIVE DATE

Article 49

The judicial centre is Geneva.

Article 50

The present statutes are effective as of 20 March 2006 and replace EIP’s previous statutes.

 

 

Copyright 2007 EIP All rights reserved