ARTICLE 1

Hereby , in Greece, at the city of Mystras (UNESCO’S World Heritage Monument list) , is being established a Non Profit, non Governmental Society under the title “ Intercultural Euro-Mediterranean Center for Unesco” , ( “ Διαπολιτισμικό Ευρω-Μεσογειακό Κέντρο για την Ουνέσκο» in Greek).

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ARTICLE 2

The city of Mystras (Sparta) is being settled on as the Headquarters of the Society.

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ARTICLE 3

OBJECTIVES – ACTIVITIES

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A – The objectives of the Society are:

The cultivation and the development of friendship and cooperation between the members in the Societies of this Association and generally between the people of all the regions in the entity of European, Middle East , North African, Black Sea, Mediterranean areas, and Arab Countries united under their diversities, aiming at the moral and material promotion of the peoples of all European , Mediterranean , Middle East, North  African, Red Sea,  Black Sea and Arab countries, at the securing of Peace , of Democracy as well as the respect and promotion of Human Rights and Freedom in the areas, the Family protection, the Equality of sexes, the protection of Women and Children, the Environmental protection , the promotion of the Principle of “ Education for All”, the promotion of Information and Communication, the Research and Quest  of programs Aiming at the Promotion of New Natural Resources, Energy issues ( as the water issue). Also, the promotion of fruitful diversities of Cultures protecting the diversity of cultural expression, the Encouragement and Cooperation on issues of Cross-Cultural Strategies and activities of Mutual Cultural Exchanges, the Protection of World Heritage Monuments , as well as the Promotion of the National Cultural Identity and all Tangible and Intangible Heritage.

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B – In order to achieve the abovementioned objectives the Association performs the      following functions :

1 – Gives advice to its members and applies their decisions.

2 – Informs its members about the General Strategic Guidelines and Policies of its members’ and the proposed actions and activities following the adequate procedures in order to place them in harmony with the Aims, Directions and Guidelines of UNESCO.

3 – Undertakes International Campaigns for the Promotion of all UNESCO’S objectives.

4 – Participates and represents its members at the European Union, as well as at any National or International Organizations ( UNESCO, UNICEF, WHO, e. t. c ) as the United Nations and its affiliated Organizations dealing with matters relevant to its objectives.

5 – Executes National and European Studies, Researches, Projects and Statistics for its own use and distribution to its members.

6 – Supports and Promotes the participation of its members - Societies in responsible posts within the National and International Unions and Organizations.

7 – Draws up and promotes projects for the attainment of its objectives.

8 – Aiming at the creation of an Intangible Heritage Center containing the intangible treasures of all the participant countries 9 – Deliberates and Cooperates with European and International Organisations having similar objectives and requests for their Assistance.

10 – Promotes the incorporation of the European Law regarding Cultural Issues, Women’s issues, into the National Law of the European and Mediterranean countries.

11 – Promotes the cross-cultural cooperation of the Peoples of the areas between other neighbor or not Countries, promoting Peace and Freedom, the Dialogue of Civilizations, “ Education for All”, Human Rights, Communication , Protection and Preservation of the Environment, the Defense and Utilization of Natural Resources , and Equality. 

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ARTICLE 4

BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THE CENTER

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a – The Center is being Governed in a Democratic way.

b - The Society is Independent from Governments, Political Parties and Organizations.

c – “ Intercultural Euro-Mediterranean Center’s for Unesco “ participating members must function according to the stipulations of Article 5 of the present.

d – It is implied that every ( National ) Society for the “ Intercultural Euro-Mediterranean Center for Unesco ”, of which members/representatives participate in the Association, preserves its own absolute independence concerning the formation and applications of its own projects.

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ARTICLE 5

MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS

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a -  In the “ Intercultural Euro –Mediterranean Center for Unesco ”  participate representative members of the Local Non Governmental and Non Profit Societies or Cultural Organizations ( Unesco clubs, Centers, Associations e.t c)  or Individuals or representatives of International Cross-Cultural Associations established in any European , Mediterranean, Middle East, North African , Black Sea ,Red Sea, and Arab countries..

b – The following requirements should be fulfilled for any new member in order to be accepted in the Association :

1 – To adopt the Principals of Democracy, as well as the represented Non Governmental, Non Profit Organization ( Union, Association, Cooperation, e. t. c ) Society should be governed in a Democratic way.

2 – To be Independent of any Political Party, Union or Organization as well as from the State Government.

3 – To stand for similar or compatible objectives of those of the “ Intercultural Euro-Mediterranean Center for Unesco ”.

4 – To be open to cooperation with all the peoples, without Discrimination based on Religion, Race, Culture, Nationality, Financial or Social Status, Anarchists excluded.

5 – To submit an application.

6 – Members can be either of full membership or Associate ( Probationer).              The requirement for a member in order to be accepted as full member of the Center, as its previous  acceptance as an Associate member for at least one ( 1 ) year period.

7 – The acceptance of full Associate members is agreed by the Center’s  General Assembly and a  Unanimous decision of all present members.

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ARTICLE 6

WITHDRAWAL – MEMBER DISMISSAL

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a – In case of a member’s withdrawal, the Center continues to function with the rest of its members. The withdrawing members are not entitled to retrieve contribution fees already paid.

b – Member’s dismissal is allowed only in case of notation of the Principles and objectives of the Center and after a previous Warning Notification.

The Center’s General Assembly decides for the Warning Notification as well as for the dismissal, in presence of all the other Members, and a relevant unanimous decision is required . The member to be dismissed is allowed to be represented without the right to vote.

c – The Associate ( Probationer) members are dismissed in case of Non compliance with the Center’s objectives after a unanimous decision of all present members at the General Assembly of the Center.

d – Finally, all members ( full or Associates ) that fail to be consistent with their financial obligations for four ( 4 ) consecutive years and do not participate for three    ( 3 ) consecutive years, are dismissed  after the decision of all present members at the General Assembly.  They are replaced by new members, representatives of an Organization of similar objectives and of the same Nationality of the dismissed member.

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ARTICLE 7

REVENUES

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A - The Center’s revenues consist of its members contribution fees, of the donations from members of third parties, of European or State or other subventions, of the income for services rendering , of the income from various cultural and sport activities, exhibitions, conferences, festivals, symposiums, e. t. c. as well as of income from sales of any publishing activity, or other products produced or procured by the member-countries or are managed by the Center.         

B – The annual contribution fee of the Associate members is fixed by the General Assembly and cannot be higher than the corresponding one of the full members which is decided today to be the amount of one thousand ( $ 1000 ) of US Dollars 

C – Besides the annual contribution fee, every full-member has also the obligation to pay contribution fee upon its acceptance.  This amount, or the re-adjusted one, will be contributed by any new full – member.

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ARTICLE 8

GENERAL ASSEMBLY – CONVOCATION

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a -  The highest authority of the Society is the General Assembly which is convoked by the Executive Board once every two ( 2 ) years.

b -  The date and the place of the Convocation of the General Assembly is notified at least four ( 4 ) months before, so that the members have enough time to submit their written proposals on the issues to be discussed.

c -  The General Assembly meets in Rhodes ( Greece) , unless is proposed otherwise or is programmed that another Society – member will Host the General Assembly. In this case the charge of the organizing cost for the Assembly will be covered by the organizer.

d – The Agenda of the  General  Assembly is notified in writing by the Executive Board, at least one ( 1 ) month before the date of the Assembly and should include all the proposed issues to be discussed by the Society members.

e -  In the General Assembly, participate up to eleven ( 11 ) representatives from each Society – member of the “ Intercultural Euro-Mediterranean Center for   Unesco ”, nominated or elected by their Society according to its Statute.  The General Assembly may decide that the number of the Representatives of the General.

Assembly may vary in the future for each Society- member keeping however an equal number of representatives to the Society.

f – The General Assembly will be presided by one of its members in rotation. The President is elected by the General Assembly .

g – Upon request of at least one half of the total Association’s members, the Executive Board is obliged to call in written for an Exceptional General Assembly, as soon as it receives the relevant request.

h – The date of the Exceptional General Assembly, as well as the issues of the Agenda of the General Assembly, are notified at least one ( 1 ) month before, and the Agenda should include all the issues proposed.

I – Participation: A Society member is entitled to participate to the General Assembly, provided that it has already paid its annual fees. The Associate members have the right , under the same precondition, to participate to the General Assembly without the right to vote.

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ARTICLE 9

COMPETENCIES – DECISION MAKING

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a – The decisions of the General Assembly are taken on the basis of the majority of the present representatives of the Societies-members.

b – Each member has one vote.

c – Vote by proxy is not allowed.

d – In order to determine the Center’s general plans for action a majority of two thirds ( 2/ 3) of the members whom are present, is required.

e -  The General Assembly is legally meeting and is considered in quorum with the presence of one half plus one member, of the Center’s members that are financially in order towards the Center.

f – If the Quorum is not obtained on the announced date and time, the General Assembly meets the following hour ( that is: one hour later) at the same day and place and is considered in quorum with those of the members which are present.

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 ARTICLE 10

COMPETENCE

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The General Assembly will decide for any issue except those which refer to the authority of the Executive Board. More specifically the General Assembly :

A – Determines the fields of activities according to the statutes of the Center in relation to the support of every proposal.

B – Evaluates the previous program and decides the guidelines for the new program.

C – Approves the report of activities and the financial report submitted by the Executive Board.

D – Releases the Executive Board from any responsibility for financial Administration of the Center’s matters.

E – Approves the budget submitted by the Executive Board.

F – Appoints work groups for obtaining special goals. 

 G – Supervises the composition of the executive Board according to Article 13 .

H -  Determines the annual contribution fee of each Society-member

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ARTICLE 11

AMENDMENT OF THE CENTER’S STATUTES

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The Statutes is amended after the decision of the General Assembly. Especially for the statute’s amendment during the initial General Assembly, is required the presence of the 2/3 of the members and a majority of 3/4 of the members present, whilst during the recurring Assembly is required the presence of the 1/2 of its members and the majority of the 3/4 of the present members. The same General Assembly decides about the leave of the assets of the Center to an Organisation with similar objectives.

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ARTICLE 12

DISSOLUTION OF THE ASSOCIATION

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It is the General Assembly who decides about the Dissolution of the Center. In such a case, during the initial  General Assembly, is required the presence of the 2/3 of its members and a majority of the 3/4 of the members , whilst during the recurring one is required the presence of the 1 /2 of its members and a majority of the 3/4  of the members present.  The same General Assembly decides about the disposal of the Center’s assets to an Organization with similar objectives.

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ARTICLE 13

EXECUTIVE BOARD

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1. The Center is governed by an unsalaried Executive Board of a total of fifteen (15) members. Each Society participating in the “ INTERCULTURAL EURO-MEDITERRANEAN CENTER for UNESCO” elects two ( 2 ) regular members and one ( 1) substitute member, from the regular or the substitute members of the General Assembly. The regular and the substitute members are elected for a five ( 5 ) year period.  In case that a regular member declares unable to attend a meeting of the Executive Board is replaced by a substitute member according to the order of election. 

2. EXECUTIVE BOARD STRUCTURE :  The members of the Executive Board are:

• The  President

• 1st Vice President

• 2nd Vice President

• The General Secretary

• The Treasurer

President,  1st Vice President,  2nd Vice President and Treasurer will be appointed persons from different Nationality each time, based on the principle of rotation .  The members of the Center derive from the representatives of the Society-Countries that participate at the “ INTERCULTURAL EURO-MEDITERRANEAN CENTER for UNESCO ”. In case of new members adhesion having other nationality than the founding member-countries, the country of nationality of the new member is added to the rotation order.  The General Secretary is appointed to a Greek Nationality person due to the fact that the Headquarters are located in Greece. The City of Mystras(Sparta) is being settled on as the Center’s Headquarters. 

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EXECUTIVE BOARD COMPETENCIES :

1. Implements the work program approved by the General Assembly.

2. Takes initiative if an unforeseen and urgent matter arises , provided that such an action is in accordance with the objectives stated in the Statutes of the Center.

3. The Executive Board has the responsibility to convoke the General Assembly by prompt notification of the place that will host it.

4. If needed, establishes the Internal rules of the Center.

5. Submits to the General Assembly the Annual budget and is responsible for its implementation.

6. Submits to the General Assembly for approval the action program.

7. Draws and officially submits to the General Assembly for approval the financial report of the previous year.

8. Determines the number of the Secretariat members and directs its work.

9. Appoints and dismisses the members of the Secretariat.

10. Asks the opinion of experts whenever is necessary

11. Takes good care of the financial support of the Center’s activities

12. Appoints the members of the different Committees ( Scientific, Cultural e.t.c)

13.              

14. THE PRESIDENT 

15. The President of the Association  or any other member appointed by decision of the Executive Board, represents the Center before any Court and Authority, before any natural person or legal entity of Public or Private,

16. National or International Law, and before any National or International Organization, Institution or Bank.  The responsibility of any financial obligation by the Center, is accepted by the signature of the President of the Executive Board or any other member appointed by the decision of the Executive Board.

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18. THE TREASURER

 *The Treasurer keeps the accounting book-records of the Center and has them at the disposal of the Society’s members.

 *Prepares the annual balance and the management report on the 31st of December of each year.

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DECISION  MAKING 

 

​1 ) The Executive Board is in quorum, when a 2/3 majority of the Members 

  are present.

2 ) The decisions are taken by simple majority. In case of equal votes, the  

President’s vote is considered double.

3 ) The Executive Board is meeting at least twice a year at the Centre’s   

Headquarters . The President may convoke the Board in case of 

emergency, or otherwise she / he may contact the Secretary.

4 ) Mrs Katie Tzitzikosta –Papachristopoulou is nominated Honorary President of the “ INTERCULTURAL EURO-MEDITERRANEAN CENTER for UNESCO” in recognition of her valuable contribution to Unesco’s causes ,and to the Peaceful Cooperation of the Peoples as well as her support for the creation of the Center..

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ARTICLE 14 

GENERAL SECRETARIAT

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1 – The Secretariat’s work is :

1. To work in close cooperation with the Executive Board, carrying out the tasks entrusted to it by the Executive Board.

2. To inform the Executive Board on the course of their activities and to suggest specific acts. 

3. To accept application forms of new members and submit them accordingly to the General Assembly  

4. To inform the Societies – members on the course of the Association ‘s activities. 

5. To take care of the day-today administration and the financial management of the Association.

6. To prepare, attend and keep the minutes of Executive Board meetings.

7. The Secretariat is answerable for its activities to the Executive Board.

 

ARTICLE 15

SEAL

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The Center has a seal picturing 6 yellow poles ( Parthenon style) and at the base a blue-white sea wave over the title “ intercultural Euro-Mediterranean Center for Unesco”, written in English.

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ARTICLE 16

WORKING LANGUAGE

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The basic working languages of the Center will be English and Greek.

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ARTICLE 17

In case of dissolution of the Center the disposable assets are not distributed between the members, but they will be transferred to other Association or Organization with similar purposes and objectives.

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ARTICLE 18 

The Greek Law, with its General and special dispositions of the Civil Code in regard to the Civil non- profit societies, is applied to the present in its entity.