Statutes and By-laws

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SCA Statutes

Approved on May 14, 2000
Revised on May 9, 2001
Revised on May 13, 2002
Revised on May 13, 2003
Revised on June 16, 2009
Revised on July 4, 2011
Revised on July 10, 2012
Revised on June 17, 2014

Article 1: Establishment

The Science Council of Asia, hereinafter called the SCA or the Council, is an international and non-profit organization, constituted by the voluntary cooperation, initially, of the following Asian countries: China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam.

Article 2: Objectives

The objectives of the SCA are:
a to provide scientists in all fields, including cultural and social as well as natural sciences and technology, a collaborative platform for promoting scientific exchange and cooperation in Asia for the improvement of human society, and,
b to develop and promote a holistic vision by integrating the emerging advances in science and technology with Asian wisdom, values and heritage, focusing on sustainable development and improvement in quality of life.

Article 3: Activities

In order to achieve the above objectives as well as to be beneficial to organizations involved, the SCA may:
a identify and examine issues of mutual interest in Asia for evolving proposals for action by related agencies and international bodies;
b obtain information needed for all activities of the SCA and disseminate it widely;
c cooperate with academic communities in Asia and international scientific and technological organizations and others devoted to the promotion of excellence and cooperation;
d provide expert opinion/informed advice on scientific issues;
e convene the annual Conference (the Conference), the biennial General Assembly (the Assembly), meetings of the Management Board (the Board), conferences, symposia and others.

Article 4: Membership

Membership of the SCA shall consist of eligible organizations in Asia.
4.1 An eligible organization is defined as one involved in cultural, social, and/or natural sciences and technology, as well as other disciplines relevant to the objectives of the SCA.
4.2 Among member organizations from each country, a National Member shall be designated as the representing organization. An organization effectively representing the range of scientific activities in a definite region may be accepted as a National1 Member.
4.3 At least one organization in each country/region shall be preferably a government/public sector organization.
4.4 The SCA welcomes the participation of international or national organizations of cultural, social and/or natural sciences and technology who are interested in its activities as observers.
4.5 The membership of the National Member may cease after it is absent from two consecutive meetings of the Assembly without participating in any of the SCA activities for the said four years.
4.6 A National Member may be replaced with another member organization within the same country/region if applicable.
4.7 If the SCA has 5 National Members or less, it shall be disbanded.
(foot note) 1 The term "National" as used in Statutes and By-laws of SCA has no connotation other than denoting a Member admitted under the provisions of Article 4.2 of Statutes.

Article 5: Annual Conference

5.1 The Conference shall be held every year, for which one or more member organization(s) of each country/region shall be "the Host" in turn.
5.2 The Council (SCA) shall meet at the Conference, and governed by a Board and officers.

Article 6: General Assembly

6.1 The Assembly is the highest decision-making body of the Council, which shall be held once in two years at the Conference.
6.2 The Assembly shall be composed of designated representatives from each of the member organizations.
6.3 The Council at the Assembly shall:
a elect from among the members of the Assembly, a President, a Vice-President, a President-Elect, and a Secretary General/Treasurer;
b approve the amendments of the Statutes and By-laws;
c receive the annual report and statement of accounts from the Board;
d determine the Host for the Conference;
e make decision by consensus of the members present.

Article 7: Management Board Meetings

7.1 The Board shall be held at least once a year.
7.2 The Board shall consist of one designated representative from each of the National Members, and of a Secretary General/Treasurer.
7.3 The Board shall:
a constitute such committees as necessary to assist it in carrying out its functions;
b formulate rules and regulations;
c prepare the action plan and the budget of the SCA, including those for the aids/funds for expanding SCA activities (i.e. symposiums, seminars, and others) run by member initiatives;
d review past activities, and prepare annual reports and receive statements of accounts from the Secretary General/Treasures as stated in the By-laws Article 6.5, both of which are to be submitted to an Assembly;
e decide on each application for membership;
f approve any proposals/statements prior to dissemination;
g make decision by consensus of the members present.
7.4 The members of the Board, except the officers, shall normally serve a term of two years, which starts at the end of an Assembly and ends at the following Assembly.

Article 8: Officers

8.1 The officers consist of the following four people, a President, a Vice President, a Secretary General/Treasurer, and an Immediate-Past President or a President-Elect, stated in the following clause. The President shall be the Board member of the Host of a coming Assembly. The President-Elect shall be the Board member of the Host of the following Assembly. The Vice President shall be the Board member of the Host of the next Conference between two consecutive Assemblies.
8.2 The officers in principle shall serve a term of two years, which starts at the end of an Assembly in which they are elected and ends at the following Assembly. Despite preceding statement, Immediate Past President shall serve until the end of the next Conference after one's presidency term. President-Elect shall serve from the end of the previous Conference to the start of one's presidency term.

Article 9: Secretariat

A Secretariat shall be established at Science Council of Japan (SCJ) which shall assist the work of the Council and the Board. The Secretariat shall be led by the Secretary General/Treasurer.

Article 10: Finance

The necessary expenditures of the SCA shall be shared among SCJ, the Host and delegates as stated in the By-laws.
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