INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL FOR PHILOSOPHY AND HUMANISTIC STUDIES
CONSTITUTION
Preamble
Expressing the belief that it is necessary to promote, with a view to a comparison of the results obtained, as an interpenetration of the various branches of research which constitute philosophy, humanistic studies and kindred branches of knowledge;Considering that a detailed comparative study of civilisations will show the wealth and dignity of each national culture and in consequence, its right to universal respect;
Convinced that a better knowledge of man, of his instincts, his manners and customs, and of his behaviour, individual or collective, is indispensable to a closer understanding between the peoples, since it brings to light the accord of man’s essential aspirations, while at the same time it absolutely condemns racial prejudice;
Bearing in mind the desirability of furthering wherever possible, the moral and spiritual unity of mankind;
Wishing to develop the co-operation, on an international scale, of philosophy, humanistic studies and kindred branches of knowledge, and to encourage research by means of an appropriate body;
The representatives of the international non-governmental organisations signatories of the present document, having met in Brussels on January 18, 1949, do hereby set up an International Council for Philosophy and Humanistic Studies.
As amended in Paris on September 28, 1955, in Mexico on September 21, 1963, in Rio de Janeiro on September 14, 1973, in Dubrovnik on September 23, 1975, in Montreal on September 15, 1977 and in Cairo on November 21, 1986, the constitution on the International Council for Philosophy and Humanistic Studies makes the following stipulations:
Article I - Purposes
The purpose of the Council shall be:
a) To ensure permanent contact between the member organisations; to promote the grouping within the Council of like international non-governmental organisations;
b) To encourage the setting up of international organisations in fields in which no such organisations exist;
c) To recommend and co-ordinate the dissemination of information regarding works published or begun in the field of philosophy, humanistic studies and related branches of study, and all other information calculated to serve the interest of research;
d) To promote international gatherings in the form of conferences, round-table discussions or committees of experts; to facilitate mutual understanding between the peoples and a knowledge of Man, by encouraging the greatest measure of international co-operation, in the field of philosophy and humanistic studies.
Article II - Composition
1) The International Council shall consist of specialised international non-governmental organisations, and of the International Academic Union, which represents national learned bodies;
2) These organisations are: a) organisations which were members of the Council on January 1, 1955; b) organisations admitted to the Council by decision of the General Assembly by a majority of two-thirds of the delegates present and voting;
3) An international organisation may only be elected a member or remain a member on condition that it enjoys well-established authority, that it is truly international in structure, that it is fully representative of an independent branch of study, that it possesses permanent international governing and executive bodies and authorised representatives, and finally, that it engages solely in work supervised by a general assembly of its members. The international organisations members of the Council should, as far as possible, take into account the necessary concentration of branches of study.
Article III - Headquarters - Legal Status and Resources of the Council
1) The headquarters of the Council shall be at Brussels;
2) The Council shall be an International Association as defined by the Belgian Law on International Associations of November 5, 1919;
3) Each member organisation shall contribute each year to the Council either a minimum sum determined by the Board, or a proportion of its annual budget as determined by the Board, whichever is greater;
4) Failure to pay this contribution for two successive years may entail loss of membership;
5) The Council shall enjoy legal personality and may receive gifts and grants-in-aid.
Article IV - Organs
The organs of the Council shall be the General Assembly and the Board.
Article V – General Assembly
1) The General Assembly shall have power of decision on all matters concerning the functioning of the Council and the accomplishment of its mission. It alone can decide on the exclusion of any member;
2) It shall consist of delegates from the International Academic Union and from the other member organisations;
3) The General Assembly shall meet every two years in ordinary session. It may meet in extraordinary session upon the call of the Board or at the request of member organisations representing at least one third of the votes of the members of the Council;
4) The provisional agenda for ordinary sessions shall be drawn up by the Board and communicated to member organisations not less that one month before the opening of the session. In the case of extraordinary sessions the time limit for this purpose can be shortened;
5) The number of delegates from the International Academic Union, each having the right to one vote, shall be equivalent to two-fifths of the total number of votes assigned to the Assembly;
6) Decisions shall be taken by a simple majority of votes cast, except in the cases stipulated in Articles II, VIII, IX and XI of the present Constitution.
7) The General Assembly shall elect for a term of two years its President, who is also President of the CIPSH; no less than four and not more than six Vice-Presidents; the Secretary General and a Treasurer, who compose its Board. In holding these elections, the Assembly shall give the greatest consideration to the representation on the Board of the different branches of study and the different civilisations. The Board may not include more than two members of the same nationality and should include, as far as possible, scholars belonging to all the major cultural regions of the world. Up to half the number of the Vice-Presidents may be chosen from persons who are not, or have not been, delegates from member organisations to the CIPSH;
8) Members of the Board are re-eligible to their offices only once except for the Secretary General and the Treasurer, who are always re-eligible. In electing and re-electing members of the Board, the Assembly shall try to ensure both the continuity and the renewal, which are indispensable.
Article VI - Board
1) The Board of the Assembly shall exercise the functions of directing body of the Council between sessions of the General Assembly. It takes its decisions within the framework of the directives formulated by the Assembly, especially where financial matters are concerned;
2) The Board shall meet at least once a year. Between two ordinary sessions of the General Assembly, it may submit proposals for the approval of member organisations. It is required to do so when a request of this kind is formulated by member organisations representing at least one third of the votes of the members of the Council;
3) The Board shall each year communicate a report on its work to member organisations;
4) The Board may appoint special and temporary committees in accordance with its Rules of Procedure.
Article VII - Secretary General and Treasurer
1) The Secretary General, acting under the authority of the Board, shall direct the central Secretariat. He shall represent the Council in all ordinary circumstances, with the assent of the President. He shall dispatch correspondence, organise meetings, prepare and distribute the publications authorised by the Board, administer the revenue of the Council and the expenditure of funds; he may be assisted or replaced by a Deputy Secretary General designated by the General Assembly on the proposal of the Board.
2) The Treasurer shall make the payments ordered by the Secretary General and shall have the accounts of the Council audited by an expert accountant. He shall also have audited the accounts of member organisations showing the use made of subsidies granted on recommendation of the Council. The Treasurer shall draw up an annual financial report, which shall be submitted to the Board. Proxy signatures may be authorised by the Board.
Article VIII - Relations with other organisations
The Council may conclude agreements with other organisations. Such agreements shall be drawn up under the authority of the Board, and shall come into force when approved by that body. They may be amended or denounced on a decision by the General Assembly, taken by a two-thirds majority.
Article IX - Dissolution
1) A decision to dissolve the Council must be taken by a two-thirds majority of the General Assembly;
2) In case of dissolution the Assembly shall appoint three liquidators of different nationalities;
3) The assets of the Council will, under such circumstances, be given to scientific associations chosen by the Assembly.
Article X - Rules of Procedure
1) The detailed application of the present Constitution shall be governed by the Rules of Procedure;
2) The Rules of Procedure for the General Assembly shall be drawn up by the Board and submitted to the General Assembly;
3) The Rules of Procedure for the Board shall be drawn up by that body and submitted to the General Assembly for approval.
Article XI - Coming into force and amendment of the Constitution
1) This constitution shall come into force on being approved by the first session of the General Assembly;
2) It shall not be amended except by a decision of the General Assembly taken by a two-thirds majority. Proposals for amendments shall be submitted to the member organisations three months before the meeting of the General Assembly.
