Constitution

The International Cultural Youth Exchange in Europe was founded in 1977 by the European members of the Federation of the International Christian Youth Exchange. The International Cultural Youth Exchange in Europe is an international movement, which aims for societies of justice, peace and human solidarity. It strives to oppose any form of discrimination and violence.

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Article I - Name, Status and Seat

Article II - Aims and Objectives

Article III - Organs

A The National Committees (hereinafter NC's)

B. The General Assembly

C. The Executive Committee

D. The Secretariat at the European Office

Article IV - Finances

Article V - Amendments

Article VI - Dissolution

Article I - Name, Status and Seat :

The name of the organisation shall be: The International Cultural Youth Exchange in Europe (hereinafter referred as EA).

The EA is a non-profit making organisation, religiously and politically unaffiliated , recognised under Belgian law as an A.S.B.L.

The seat of the EA is currently in Denmark, Aarhus.

Article II - Aims and Objectives

The purpose of the EA is to facilitate intercultural exchanges, as mean of intercultural education and of becoming sensitive to the social, political and economical realities of Europe and the world.

The aims of the EA shall be:

To fight against any kind of oppression, discrimination and prejudices in the world by furthering solidarity and intercultural understanding

To support the exchange of young persons between nations on basis of reciprocity for long and short-term.

To be a forum where members share their needs, interests, problems and proposals.

To co-ordinate the resources of the members for the planning, development and financing of the program of the EA.

To run activities on issues and developments related to intercultural exchanges and other matters its members are dealing with - to seek financial contributions and grants from governmental organisations, private foundations and individuals.

To lobby for ICYE EA and what it stands for - to represent its members towards the European bodies - to further co-operation with European youth movements

Article III - Organs

The EA shall consist of the following bodies:

A The National Committees (hereinafter NC's)

B. The General Assembly

C. The Executive Committee

D. The Secretariat at the European Office

A. The National Committees (NC's)

Membership shall be open to any non-profit making, religiously and politically unaffiliated organisation that shares the objectives of the EA as defined in Article II of this Constitution, and is willing to be governed by the Constitution of the EA.

Membership of the EA can fall under one of the following categories:

A) Associated member

B) Full member

A) Associated membership be granted to a non profit-making, religiously and politically unaffiliated youth organisation whose primary aims are those stated in Article II of this constitution

B) Full Membership can be granted to an Associated member of the EA when it fulfils the minimum standards to become a Full member of the Federation of National Committees in the International Christian Youth Exchange

Organisations seeking membership status in the EA shall make a written application to the ExCom 150 days before the GA where the application will be considered. The organisation shall submit with its application its statutes and information about its structure and its financial documents such as closing of the books, budgetary proposals and an action plan to fulfil the requirements for Full membership of the Federation of NCs in the International Christian Youth Exchange within 4 years. The Associated membership will be continually evaluated through out the 4 years by the ExCom. After 4 years the GA will vote upon the continuation of the relationship between the Associated member and the European Association if the criteria for becoming a full member were not reached.

An application for membership shall be accepted by two-third majority of the GA

A member may withdraw at the end of the fiscal year from the EA after fulfilling all financial obligations and programme responsibilities to the EA.

The ExCom may propose a suspension or an exclusion of a member from the EA. This will be voted on at the GA by a two-third majority.

B. The General Assembly

The highest governing body of the EA is its General Assembly (hereinafter GA), which shall be convened once a year.

The invitation and a draft of the agenda shall be sent out by the European Office (hereinafter E.O) 60 days in advance to all its members.

More detailed information including the agenda, the report and the policy paper from the ExCom, the report from the Secretariat, a statement of incomes and expenses, electoral documents, a budget (proposed budget for the current and coming fiscal year) and the auditor's report shall be sent by the Secretariat to the members at least 30 days prior to the GA.

The GA has the power to:

Determine the programme and policies of the EA

Approve the budgets and accounts of the EA

The GA shall:

Establish the policies and the programme of the EA

Receive a report of the work of the ExCom and a report of the work of the personnel at the EO

Decide upon membership fees for members and associated members

Deceive the closing of the books and approve the new budget

Discharge the ExCom for the closing of the books

Elect the new members of the ExCom

Undertake any other measures necessary for the fulfilment of the aims and purposes of the EA

The GA shall be composed of all members of the Association:

Each full member is entitled to one delegate who has one vote.

Each associated member is entitled to one delegate without voting right but having the right to speak

The GA can make valid decisions if a two-third of all existing members are present. Valid decision can be made at the GA when voted upon by at least a simple majority.

C. Executive Committee

The ExCom shall be composed of:

A Chairperson

A Treasurer

A Third Member

Members of the ExCom shall be elected for a two-year term. No member may serve for more than six years altogether.

Members of the ExCom may be dismissed by two-thirds majority vote of the GA

The EA shall be legally represented by two of the members of the ExCom.

A member of the ExCom shall represent the EA at the GA of the Federation of NCs in the International Christian Youth Exchange. The ExCom shall ensure a qualified representation of the EA to the GA.

The ExCom can make valid decisions if two of its members are present.

The ExCom shall:

Carry out the decisions of the GA and implement the policies that it establishes.

Perform any duties assigned to it by the GA

Write a policy paper for the GA on its views on the programmes and development of the Association.

D. Secretariat at the European Office:

The Secretariat shall be composed of personnel as needed.

The ExCom appoints the personnel.

The personnel shall be responsible for all its actions and shall not make decisions which are in contrary with the policies determined by the GA or the ExCom.

The personnel works under the direction of the ExCom and are accountable to the ExCom. The ExCom can dismiss the personnel.

Article IV - Finances

The Association shall be financed by: - grants and donations obtained from individuals and institutions - the membership fees paid by the members of the Association.

The fiscal year shall be from January 1st to December 31st.

An auditor proposed by the ExCom shall be appointed by the GA to audit the accounts of the EA each year.

Article V - Amendments

Any part of the Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority of the GA.

Proposals to amendments shall be included 60 days before the GA.

The Constitution is supplemented by the Rules of Procedure. The Rules of Procedure regulate the conduct of the EA course of business and are minor to the Constitution. They may be amended by simple majority.

Article VI - Dissolution

The EA may be dissolved at a GA where at least three-quarters of the full members are present.

The decision to dissolve the Association shall require a two-thirds vote of the existing full members present, provided that notice of the proposed dissolution has been given at least 90 days in advance.

In the event of dissolution and liquidation the assets remaining after payment of all debts shall be granted to the Federation of NCs in the International Christian Youth Exchange be used for non-profit purpose only.

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