Union of International Associations (UIA) / Union des Associations Internationales (UAI) / Unie van de Internationale Verenigingen (UIV)
SECTION I - Name, Headquarters, Aims
Article 1. Name
The international organization set up in 1907 as the "Central Office of the International Institutions", having become a federation in 1910 during the first world congress of international associations under the name "Union des Associations Internationales" (UAI) - in English "Union of International Associations" (UIA) - and transformed into an Institute in 1953, was incorporated in accordance with the Belgian law of 25 October 1919 on international associations having a scientific aim by Royal Decree dated 2 July 1920.
Article 2. Secretariat
The UIA has its registered office in Belgium at rue Washington 40, B-1050 Brussels. Auxiliary secretariats can be opened elsewhere by the Executive Council.
Article 3. Aims
The UIA is a non-profit making international non-governmental organization having a scientific aim, with activities such as research, study, information, consultation, promotion and service.
Its aims are:
- to contribute to a universal order based on principles of human dignity, solidarity of peoples and freedom of communication;
- to undertake and promote research and study on transnational associative networks, considered as essential components of contemporary society;
- to collect and distribute the most comprehensive documentation possible on international organizations and associations, both governmental and non-governmental, and on new forms of transnational co-operation;
- to collect and distribute data on the various meetings organized by international bodies;
- to encourage and undertake all activity aimed at promoting the development and efficiency of non-governmental networks, as well as intercommunication between people working in the international framework and in interassociative co-operation;
- to study, categorize, analyze, compare and illuminate world problems as perceived by international organizations.
SECTION II - Honorary Members, Active Members, and Associate Members
Article 4. Honorary Members
Personalities on whom the General Assembly confers this title in consideration of their high competence or in recognition of the eminent services rendered by them to the UIA. The Honorary Members can resign by written notification to the Council.
Article 5. Active Members
The UIA is composed of Active Members, chosen without distinction of nationality, race, sex, and creed, nor of adherence to ideological, political or professional groups, from among persons who are particularly interested in the organizations' aims, provided that no more than one-fifth are of the same nationality.
Only Active Members can take part in the direction and management of the organization; they are admitted at the proposal of the Council, either during General Assembly sessions or by postal vote.
The Council may decide on an annual fee.
Active Members who fail to respond to convocations for two successive General Assemblies may, after the lapse of six months from the second General Assembly, be considered by the Council as having resigned. The Council may terminate the membership status of an Active Member.
The Active Members can resign by written notification to the Council.
Article 6. Associate Members
Organizations, foundations, institutions, business firms and corporate bodies of individuals in general, without distinction of nationality, race, sex, and creed, nor of adherence to ideological, political or professional groups, who may be interested in the organization's aims and activities, and who wish to give their moral support and effective collaboration, may be accepted as Associate Member and may use that title. Associate membership is subject to the approval of the Council.
The amount of the subscription is set by the Council. The title of Associate Member and payment of the subscription give exclusive right to certain UIA services. On the recommendation of the Council, the General Assembly may terminate the membership status of an Associate Member.
The Associate Members can resign by written notification to the Council.
SECTION III. - Organs
Article 7. General Assembly
The General Assembly is composed of all Active Members. Sessions are held every second year. It may also be convened at any time by decision of the Council or at request of one-fourth of the Active Members.
Active Members who cannot be present may choose another Active Member to represent them. They can also vote electronically. An Active Member cannot act as delegate for more than five other members.
Voting at the General Assembly is by simple majority of Active Members who are present or represented, unless otherwise indicated in the present Constitution. Only votes for or against will be counted.
For its first convocation, the Assembly is validly constituted by the attendance of one-third of the Active Members, whether in person, or represented (according to the electronic modalities specified in the Bye-Laws). At the second convocation, it is validly constituted whatever the number of Active Members present or represented.
The decisions of the General Assembly are normally brought to the attention of Active Members by electronic means to solicit clarification.
Article 8. Council
The management of the organization is supervised by a Council. It is composed of a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 21 active members, elected by the General Assembly.
Their term of office is, in principle, of four years, half being renewable at each ordinary General Assembly.
Council members may arrange for another Council member to substitute for them and use their powers. A Council Member cannot act as delegate for more than three other members.
Council proceedings are valid if one-third of its members are present or represented by proxy, and decisions are taken by simple majority of members present or represented (according to the electronic modalities specified in the Bye-Laws). Only votes for or against will be counted.
In the event of a tie the President has a casting vote.
All powers of management, administration and disposal of assets are vested in the Council, subject to any limitation imposed by the General Assembly. The Council may delegate particular powers to the Council Bureau or to a restricted committee which it may appoint from among its members.
The final minutes of the Council, signed by the President, or by two members of the Council, are maintained as official records.
Article 9. Council Bureau
The Council elects among its Members, a President, the three Vice-Presidents, a Treasurer-General and a Secretary-General who constitute the Bureau.
The President and the Secretary-General are responsible for the daily administration of the UIA and for carrying out decisions taken by the Council or the Bureau.
The President and the Secretary-General will represent the UIA in all judicial proceedings, whether active or passive, as plaintiffs or defendants.
The responsibilities of the Bureau, and the circumstances of its meeting, are defined by the Council (and specified in the Bye-Laws).
Article10. Treasurer-General and Auditor
A statement of accounts, certified by a professional auditor, is submitted annually by the Treasurer-General to Council members. The Treasurer-General presents the statements of accounts and budget estimates for examination by the Council. At each ordinary session of the General Assembly the Treasurer-General submits for approval a financial report for the period since the previous General Assembly, as well as budget estimates for the forthcoming fiscal period.
Article 11. Special commissions
The General Assembly or Council may establish and terminate special commissions, composed of qualified persons, who are prepared to undertake particular tasks necessary to the further development of the UIA.
Reports or resolutions of the special commissions are submitted to the Council which will, if considered opportune, take the necessary steps to achieve the wishes expressed by commissions or to put into effect their recommendations.
Article 12. Secretariat
The administration and operational business shall be carried out at the UIA Secretariat to which all correspondence must be addressed. The Secretary-General, acting on behalf of the Council, shall safeguard at all times and in every respect the interests of the UIA.
The Secretary-General shall appoint the members of the Secretariat to act on his or her behalf and such staff members (or contracted individuals) as are necessary for the proper conduct of the affairs of the UIA. The Secretary-General is responsible for generating income to sustain and develop its operations and may make strategic decisions in using available resources to that end, subject to subsequent ratification by the Council.
The Secretary-General may take decisions on urgent matters that are normally within the competence of the Council or the Bureau when, for particular reasons, the Council cannot meet or the President cannot be consulted. Such decisions shall be submitted, for purpose of ratification, amendment or appeal, to the next session of the Council and the President shall be informed as soon as possible.
The Secretariat elaborates program projects and budget of the UIA. It carries into effect the decisions of the General Assembly and of the Council. It submits to the Council the activities and financial reports for the activities brought into operation.
Article 13. Language of business
The languages to be employed in all official business conducted by the association are English or French. In cases of difficulties of interpretation, the French language will take precedence.
SECTION IV. - Financial resources and assets
Article 14.
The financial resources at the disposal of the organization are notably:
- Subscriptions from Active and Associate Members, at rates decided upon by the Council, it being understood that Active Members will never be liable for additional contributions.
- Payments for research, study and consultation contracts entered into with members, international organizations and public or private institutions.
- Grants from international organizations and public or private authorities.
- Donations and legacies.
- Proceeds from sale of information, data licensing and from services rendered.
SECTION V. Amendment of Constitution, dissolution
Article 15.
The present Constitution can be amended at any time by an Extraordinary General Assembly of members convened on the initiative of the Council or at request of one-fourth of the Active Members.
The date of the Extraordinary General Assembly which will pronounce on the said proposal must be notified by the Council to members at least one month in advance.
Deliberations at the Extraordinary General Assembly are only valid if two-thirds of the members are present or represented , according to the postal and electronic modalities specified in the Bye-Laws.
No decision will be passed unless it secures a majority of two-thirds of the votes of those present or represented, only votes for or against being counted.
However, if this Extraordinary General Assembly is not attended by two-thirds of the Active members another Extraordinary General Assembly, convened, on the same conditions as indicated above, will decide definitively and validly on the proposal under consideration, whatever the number of members present or represented.
The Extraordinary General Assembly will define the mode of dissolution and liquidation of the association.
Text of the Constitution as amended in Brussels, 2005