The undersigned parties and organisations as full members of The International,

represented by their delegations at the Congress in Moscow, on October 4-6th 1993, by

unanimity adopt the modifications to the Constitution of the International, whose text is

as follows:

 

1.THE HUMANIST INTERNATIONAL

Is an association of parties, organisations and in cases, individuals, who endeavour to

establish humanism in the world.

2. OBJECTIVES OF THE HUMANIST INTERNATIONAL

To strengthen relationships between the member parties and organisations. Help the

formation and development of parties and organisations with an affinity of goals and ideas

where these do not exist. To develop humanist actions and ideas around the world. To

develop solidarity amongst all nations and to support the peoples of the world in their

struggle for political, economic and social liberation from oppressive conditions.

To these ends it will endeavour to persuade and exert influence in all political, social,

and cultural instances defining positions in any matters linked to its interests.

3. MEMBERS

 

3.1 FULL MEMBERS

Full members will be the parties and organisations who, having requested admission, are

accepted. The full members will have the right to vote and will pay membership

contributions.

3.2 ADHERENT MEMBERS

Adherent members will be other parties, social, cultural, political and philantropic non

partisan organisations who, having requested admission are accepted as members. They will

have the right to voice their views but not the right to vote. They will pay membership

contributions.

3.3 HONORARY MEMBERS

Honorary members will be individuals or organisations who by reason of their well known

record in favour of humanist ideals are invited to participate as such by the Humanist

International. The honorary members will not have the right to vote and they will

integrate as a consultative and advisory body to the General Council.

 

4. ORGANISATION

4.1 CONGRESS

It is the highest body of the Humanist International.

It defines its principles and official documents and determines its Constitution. The

Congress receives a report of the activities of the International since the last Congress.

It prepares its agenda. It will meet regularly every three years on the date and place to

be determined by the General Council. The Executive Committee or 50% of the full members

can call for an Extraordinary Congress. The Executive Committee will declare the date and

place of such Congress at least a month ahead.

4.1.1 QUORUM.

The quorum will be 2/3 of the full members and resolutions must be adopted by the majority

of the members present. If there is no quorum on the first day of sessions the Congress

will hold a new session the day after with those members who attend. Each full member

carries one vote.

 

4.1.2 REPRESENTATION

Each full member may be represented by up to three persons who are properly acredited. Any

affiliated member can represent their organisation at the Congress. Each full member will

be allowed to file questions to be discussed by the Congress up to seven days prior to the

holding of the sessions sending their suggestions to the Secretary General.

4.1.3 REPRESENTATION IN CASE OF ABSENCE

Represented members are those who, unable to attend the Congress, delegate another member

to excercise the right of opinion and/or vote.

4.1.4 WORK OF THE CONGRESS

On the first day of sessions a chairperson and three secretaries of assembly will be

nominated for the whole length of the Congress, they will chair the meetings and the

development of the proceedings.

 

4.2 GENERAL COUNCIL

It is the executive body who implements the resolutions of the Congress. IIt i elected in

a public and direct election and it remains in office for three years or until the

celebration of the next Congress. The Council meets in ordinary sessions once a year.

The Council implements all decisions of the Congress, looks after the good development of

the activities of the International, and for that purpose establishes its own rules of

procedure. Decisions are taken by simple majority and in case of a hung vote the president

will have a casting vote.

The Council will propose to the Congress, candidates for the offices of President,

Vice-Presidents, and Secretary General.

The Council approves the annual budget submitted by the Finance secretary; convenes the

Congress and has the right to organise conferences, seminars, regional and global

meetings; establish special commissions nominating the people in charge and fixing terms

and conditions for their work.

4.2.1 COMPOSITION

 

The General Council is composed of a Presidency, a Vice Presidency and a Secretariat.

4.2.2 PRESIDENCY

The President remains in office for three years or until the following ordinary Congress.

This office represents the organisation in public. Together with the Secretary General and

in consultation if necessary with one or more Vice-Presidents, will take discretionary

political decisions between meetings of the General Council; attend all the meetings of

the International; sign, together with the Secretary General, all the resolutions of the

Congress and the General Council; inaugurate the opening session of the Congress and chair

the sessions of the General Council.

4.2.3 VICE PRESIDENCY

It is composed of an Executive Vice-President and six or more Vice-Presidents. The

Executive Vice President constitutes the Executive Committee, together with the President

and the General Secretary. The Vice-Presidents represent publicly the International, and

may carry specific tasks on its behalf by appointment of the General Council and the

Executive Committee.

4.2.4 SECRETARIAT

 

This is made up of a General Secretary and a varying number of secretaries determined by

the General Council according to specific needs.

The management and operation of the secretaries is the responsibility of the Secretary

General.

Functions of the Secretary General are:

To co-ordinate the work of the secretaries; to keep the register of members; to give

notice of the place and date of Congresses and other meetings to members, distributing the

agenda and administrative reports; to keep the archives of the International; to represent

with the President the organisation in public events and to subscribe documents with other

organisations; to receive and process the applications for membership, suspension or

expulsion of members to be considered by the General Council.

4.3 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

The Executive Committee is composed of the President, Executive Vice-President and

Secretary General. It is the executive body of the General Council, implements its

decisions and it is in charge of managing the activities of the International, decides

about admission or expulsion of members. Has the power to appoint extraordinary

representatives of the International in other countries, or regions and/or in charge of

special missions.

 

5. FINANCES

The expenses of The International will be covered by:

    a) Contributions of full and adherent members;

    b) Contributions of friendly organisations;

    c) Donations.

 

5.1 CONTRIBUTIONS

The contributions of members will be determined by the General Secretariat with

consideration to the conditions of the country, and development of the party or

organisation, and financial possibilities of the same.

5.2 FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

It is the joint responsibility of the Presidency and General Secretariat, who make up the

Finance Committee. The Finance Committee will recommend to the general Council for its

approval the regulations and procedures perceived as more adequate for a sound financial

management.

5.3 AUDITING

Every year the accounts of The International will be audited by external auditors.

 

6. CHANGES TO THE CONSTITUTION.

Can be done only by The Congress by recommendation of the General Council and by a 2/3

majority of the voting members.