CHAPTER I
NAME, CORE VALUES, AIMS, ACTIVITIES AND HEADQUARTERS
Article 1
Human Rights Education Youth Network (HREYN) is established and constituted as a non-profit organisation with full juridical personality and legal working capacity. The HREYN is one of the entities covered by the Spanish Organic Law 1/2002, of 22nd of March and complementary regulations.
In performing its activities, the Human Rights Education Youth Network may use its registered full or abbreviated title which is: HREYN.
HREYN shall have its registered office in c/Capitan Balaca 12, 2ºB, 30001 MURCIA (MURCIA), (Spain) as well as opened offices in other countries. It will develop its activities throughout the territories of Spain as well as in other States.
Article 2
-font-family: Garamond; color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB">HREYN is established for an indefinite period of time.
Article 3
Core values and mission
HREYN is an independent non-governmental human rights education organisation composed of a network of trainers, activists, youth workers, youth leaders, teachers, researchers, volunteers, professionals and other people committed to promoting human rights education and the protection of human rights.
HREYN has the mission to work for the recognition and the development of human rights education as an essential instrument for the universal respect for and promotion of Human Rights.
HREYN is a non-profit organisation supported through the generous contributions of public institutions, private individuals, charitable foundations and donors worldwide, however, it shall do so in a way that always ensures that it never deviates from its primary purpose and in a way that never compromises its integrity, independence and impartiality.
Article 4
Aim and objectives
The overall aim of the network is to contribute to the development of human rights education with young people in order to promote mutual understanding, peace, friendship, respect for human dignity and human rights, non-violence and non-discrimination and act against persistent violations of human rights through awareness raising, campaigning, prevention and education in formal and non-formal settings
The network has the following specific objectives:
• to work on developing educational strategies in human rights education with young people
• to facilitate the exchange of experience and practice in human rights education with young people
• to promote human rights and human rights education
• to consolidate the experience that already exists when it comes to human rights education in the world
• to facilitate the contact with the Council of Europe and other institutions active in the field of human rights education
• to mainstream human rights education in local, national and international policies, education and youth work practice
• to develop educational materials for young people in human rights education
• to support the development of innovative methodologies and approaches to human rights education with young people
• to give visibility to the network as the international umbrella organisation dealing with human rights education with and for young people
Article 5
For the fulfilment of these aims the following activities will be carried out trough:
· Informing wide public about the Network activity
· Developing approaches to human rights education;
· Developing new human rights education methodologies and methods;
· Organising educational activities and projects;
· Lobbying and advocacy for human rights and human rights education;
· Running the intercultural exchange programs and voluntary service through work of the Network members in different countries;
· Campaigning for human rights;
· Co-operating with other organisations, institutions and networks dealing with human rights and human rights education;
· Analysis and research (using appropriate scientific tools) including monitoring and assessment of needs in HRE in different countries according to ongoing changes in the world;
· Providing institutional support and support of different initiatives of youth NGO, doing human rights education, on all levels (local-national-international).
CHAPTER II
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Article 6
The General Assembly is the supreme organ of government of the HREYN and will be composed of all its members.
Article 7
The General Assembly shall hold ordinary and extraordinary meetings. Ordinary meetings will be held once a year within the four months following the end of the budget year.
Extraordinary meetings will be held when the circumstances recommend so, as determined necessary by the President of the Board of Directors, upon agreement of the Board of Directors or when proposed by one tenth of the totality of its members.
Article 8
The General Assembly meetings will be announced in a written document indicating the location, day and time of the meeting as well as the agenda. There shall be a deadline of at least thirty days between the announcement and the designated day of the General Assembly meeting at its first call. If a second meeting (second call) is eventually needed, the same announcement may indicate the date and time of the second meeting, however the second meeting shall not be held before one hour from the first one.
Article 9
The General Assembly, sitting in both ordinary and extraordinary sessions, will be constituted on first call only when at least one third of its members with a right to vote are present. The General Assembly will however be constituted on second call regardless of the number of members with a right to vote are present.
The General Assembly agreements will be adopted by a simple majority of its present or represented members if the number of positive votes is higher than the negative votes. Blank votes or abstentions will not be included in the counting.
A qualified majority of votes of at least two thirds of the present members shall be required in order to:
- Appoint the President, Vice-President and Secretary General of the Board of Directors.
- Agree in creating a Federation of NGOs or joining an existing one.
- Dispose of or alienate any property part of the HREYN general resources.
- Accept amendments to the HREYN statutes.
- Decide on and approve of the dissolution of the HREYN. Motion to dissolve the HREYN shall be communicated to the membership at least 30 days prior to the General Assembly meeting.
Article 10
The following are the functions of the General Assembly in ordinary sessions:
- Approval when necessary of the Board of Directors management.
- Examination and approval of the budget.
- Examination and approval of the Board of Directors proposals regarding the HREYN activities.
- Determination of the member’s fees upon proposal of the Board of Directors.
- Any other competence that is not exclusive of the Extraordinary Assembly.
Article 11
The following are the functions of the General Assembly in extra-ordinary sessions:
- Appointment of the members of the Board of Directors.
- Amending the statutes.
- Dissolution of the HREYN
- Dismissal of members upon proposal by the Board of Directors.
- Establishment of a Federation or integration in them.
CHAPTER III
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Article 12
HREYN will be managed and represented by the Board of Directors composed of at least of a President, a Vice-President, and a General Secretary, who will perform such duties without payment or other benefit.
The Board of Directors shall be elected by the General Assembly in extraordinary session for a period of 2 years. The members of the Board of Directors can be re-elected for the next period of 2 years under condition that they can carry their function only in 2 consecutive periods.
When electing the board the General Assembly should make sure that gender and geographical balance are encouraged and respected and members of the board are elected without any discrimination on any ground.
The General Assembly can revoke any person sitting on the Board of Directors for good cause and in accordance with established procedures.
The person against whom revocation is sought shall have the right to request an oral hearing
Article 13
Any member of the Board of Directors whose mandate has expired will temporarily continue in his/her position until formal acceptance by the successor. This period should not be longer than 6 months.
Article 14
The Board of directors will meet as many times as determined by its President or by initiative or petition of a simple majority of its members. It will be constituted when attended by a majority of its members and for their agreements to be valid they should be taken by majority of votes. In case of tie, the vote of the President will be of quality. The Board should meet at least once a year.
Article 15
The primary role of the Board of Directors is to provide leadership and stewardship to the HREYN as well as represent the HREYN. It has general competence for all activities related to the functioning and aims of the HREYN unless previous authorisation by the General Assembly is required, as specified in this Statute or the By-laws.
Article 16
The functions of the President shall be the following:
- To represent legally to the Association before all types of public or private agencies.
- To call, chair and end the meetings and deliberations of both the General Assembly and the Board of Directors.
- Take disciplinary measures in consultation with the General Assembly.
Article 17
The Vice-President will replace the President in his/her absence, for sickness or any other reason and will have the same functions when acting as President.
Article 18
The General-Secretary shall be in charge of the administrative aspects of the HREYN. He/she will issue certificates, maintain the ICHR financial records and the members, files as well as keep the ICHR documentation and prepare official minutes of all meetings of the General Assembly. He/she shall be in charge of the presentation of the Annual Accountancy and shall be responsible for the fulfilment of the HREYN legal documentary duties.
CHAPTER IV
MEMBERSHIP
Article 19
Any individual with a genuine interest in the promotion and development of the HREYN aims and values may become a member of the HREYN with the consent of the Board of Directors and upon payment of the annual membership fee determined by General Assembly. Individual members shall also sign a membership declaration. Members can represent themselves or the organisations they are involved in.
Article 20
The HREYN will be composed of the following members:
- Founding members are those who participated in the Act of Constitution of HREYN.
- Ordinary members are those who became members after the Act of Constitution of HREYN.
- Honorary members are those who due to their prestige or outstanding contribution to the development of HREYN aims and values deserve such status. Honorary members shall be appointed by the General Assembly.
Article 21
Membership shall cease for the following reasons:
- By voluntary resignation, when communicated in writing to the board
- By non compliance with his/her economic duties, when a member fails to pay at least two periodic fees. All such cases should be treated on individual basis.
- Upon the decision of the General Assembly following the proposal of the Board of Directors after removal for good cause in accordance with the established procedures.
- Upon the decision of the General Assembly following the proposal of the Board of Directors after removal for failure to abide by HREYN statutory goals and principles as outlined in this statutes.
A member whose membership has been revoked in accordance with section 3. or 4. above shall have the right to make written representations in his defence to the Board of Directors.
Article 22
The ordinary and founding members shall have the following rights:
- To participate in any of the HREYN activities related to its aims;
- To enjoy all the advantages and benefits that might derive from the HREYN.
- To participate in the General Assembly with voice and vote.
- To be electors and eligible members to the Board of Directors.
- To receive information regarding the agreements adopted by the organs of the HREYN.
- To make suggestions to the members of Board of Directors or in order to improve the accomplishment of HREYN aims.
Article 23
The ordinary and founding members shall have the following duties:
- To abide by the present Statutes as well as the valid agreements of the General Assembly and the Board of Directors.
- To pay the periodic fees.
- To attend to the General Assembly meetings and other activities that may be organized.
- To fulfil the duties corresponding to their responsibilities within the HREYN.
Article 24
Honorary members will have the same obligations as other members except those established in section 2. of the previous article. They may attend General Assembly meetings without the right to vote.
CHAPTER V
INTERNATIONAL OFFICES
Article 25
An office of the HREYN may be established in any country, state, territory or region with the consent of the General Assembly. In order to be recognised as such, the office shall:
- demonstrate its ability to develop and maintain the HREYN core values and aims;
- submit its Statute to the General Assembly for approval; and
- register as an office with the Board of Directors on the decision of the General Assembly.
HREYN offices shall act in accordance with the core values and methods of the HREYN, as well as its working rules and guidelines.
Any dispute as to whether an office should be or remain affiliated to the HREYN shall be decided by the General Assembly.
Article 26
Any dispute arising between an office of HREYN and HREYN head office shall be resolved through arbitration by a professional, independent arbitrator. If arbitration may not be reached, the Laws and Courts of Spain shall be competent.
Article 27
Any office of HREYN established in accordance with Article 25 of this Statute shall be required to draft a Statute governing the functioning of the office in accordance with the Law of the country in which the office is established.
The Statute of the office of HREYN shall be verified by the HREYN Board of Directors.
In cases where a conflict arises between the HREYN Statutes and the applicable domestic law of the country in which the office is established, the latter shall prevail.
CHAPTER VI
DISSOLUTION
Article 28
HREYN shall be dissolved voluntarily by the Extraordinary General Assembly when agreed by a majority of 2/3 (two thirds) of its members and after having been called upon for that purpose.
Article 29
In case of dissolution, a liquidation commission will be appointed once all the debts have been cancelled. In case of liquid remnants they will be destined for activities that are in accordance with the non-profit nature of HREYN, i.e. a NGO previously singled out by the General Assembly which aims at promoting and defending human rights.
CHAPTER VII
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Article 30
The economic resources predicted to be assigned to the development of the goals and activities of HREYN shall be the following:
- Membership fees; whether periodic or extra-ordinary.
- Aid and subsidies, donations or inheritances that could be legally received through members or third parties.
- Fees for services rendered.
- Any other legal resources.
CHAPTER VIII
ADDITIONAL REGULATION
Article 31
In those circumstances not foreseen by this Statutes the Spanish Organic Law 1/2002, of 22nd of March and complementary regulations regulating the Right to Association will be applied.
CHAPTER IX
AMENDMENTS OF STATUTE
Article 32
The Statute may be amended by the General Assembly by a majority of not less than two thirds of the votes cast. Amendments may be submitted by the Board of Directors, or by an office. Proposed amendments shall be communicated by the Board of Directors to all offices and members of the General Assembly.
Done and approved of by the General Assembly in Budapest (Hungary), on 1st of December 2006.
