Implementation of Committee of Ministers Resolution (93) 38 on relations between the Council of Europe and international non-governmental organisations

20 February 1995

Doc. 7257

COMMUNICATION FROM THE SECRETARY GENERAL on the implementation of Committee of Ministers Resolution (93) 38 on relations between the Council of Europe and international non-governmental organisations

1. In accordance with the revised rules for consultative status as set out in Committee of Ministers Resolution (93) 38,1 the Secretary General has the honour to communicate to the Committee of Ministers and the Parliamentary Assembly the names of the international non-governmental organisations to which he has decided to grant consultative status.

They are as follows:

1. International Catholic Association for Radio, Television and Audiovisuals (UNDA)

2. European Association of Elected Representatives from Mountain Regions (AEM)

3. Association of European Journalists (AEJ)

4. European Association of Organisations for Home Care and Help at Home

5. European Parents' Association (EPA)

6. International Association for Mass Communication Research (IAMCR)

7. Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT)

8. European Committee for Home-based Priority Action for the Child and the Family

9. Standing Committee of Nurses of the European Union

10. Commission for Greater Europe

11. European Council of WIZO Federations (ECWF)

12. European Council for High Ability (ECHA)

13. European Council of Conscripts Organisations (ECCO)

14. Europe 2000

15. European Palaeontological Association (EPA)

16. European Federation of National Organisations Working with the Homeless (FEANTSA)

17. Universal Forum Foundation

18. IRPEPS — Association of European Pharmaceutical Inspectors

19. International League against Racism and Anti-Semitism (LICRA)

20. European Judges for Democracy and Liberties (MEDEL)

21. World Heritage Cities Organisation (OVPM)

22. Rotary International (RI)

23. European Union of Judges in Commercial Matters.

2. The particulars of each of these organisations needed to assess each case and to understand the Secretary General's decision to add their names to the list of NGOs enjoying consultative status with the Council of Europe, are appended.

In the absence of any objection founded on the conditions set out in paragraph 9 of the appendix to Resolution (93) 38,2 the said organisations will be added to the list of those enjoying consultative status at the end of a period of three months following the date of this document.

3. Since the last communication of 24 September 1992 to the Committee of Ministers and the Parliamentary Assembly on consultative status to be granted to international non-governmental organisations (CM (92) 143/Doc. 6670 and Addendum I) under the previous rules governing consultative status [Committee of Ministers Resolution (72) 35], the Secretary General has given thorough consideration to the files of some one hundred non-governmental organisations seeking consultative status with the Council of Europe.

In deciding to grant consultative status to the NGOs listed in paragraph 1 above, the Secretary General took account of the following reports and regulations:

—th e provisions of the revised rules for consultative status as set out in paragraphs 2, 5, 7 and 8 of the appendix to Committee of Ministers Resolution (93) 38;—

—th e deliberations of the Committee of Ministers ad hoc Working Party on modalities of the relations between the Council of Europe and non-governmental organisations, which was asked to draw up the new revised rules for consultative status;—

—th e fact that the great majority of the organisations interested in having consultative status have already established, on an ad hoc basis, productive working relations with different Council of Europe departments. Moreover, both the quality of these working relations and the review of these NGOs' files show that the latter are in a position to make a useful contribution, through their activities, to the work of the Council of Europe in particularly important and topical areas. 4.

4. As for the NGOs to which the Secretary General decided not to grant consultative status:

i. The Secretary General rejected ex officio the applications for consultative status from some fifteen NGOs which did not meet the conditions set out in paragraph 2 of the appendix to Committee of Ministers Resolution (93) 38.

ii. Furthermore, the Secretary General considered it appropriate to postpone examining the files of some ten NGOs seeking consultative status for a certain period. Although these NGOs do not fully meet the requirements for consultative status at the present time, they nevertheless appear to be in a position to contribute to certain Council of Europe activities. Consequently, these NGOs have been invited to establish initial contacts with the operational directorates concerned on an ad hoc, pragmatic basis. Arrangements for possible fruitful future co-operation with these NGOs might be determined, in years to come, on the basis of the results of those contacts.

iii. A number of NGOs have been invited to complete their files in conformity with the provisions of Committee of Ministers Resolution (93) 38.

Moreover, a large number of NGOs (more than in previous years) have sought details of the procedure for the granting of consultative status and have already given the Secretary General an initial overview of their activities. They have not yet submitted a formal application for consultative status in conformity with Resolution (93) 38, paragraph 7 of the appendix.

5. Since the last communication of 24 September 1992 to the Committee of Ministers and the Parliamentary Assembly referred to in paragraph 3 above, the Secretary General has also noted that there has been "no sign of life" from some of the NGOs on the list of those enjoying consultative status, all letters sent to them having been returned to the Council of Europe Secretariat.

Accordingly, the Secretary General has removed the following NGOs from the list:

—Eu ropean Thanatological Association (ETA)—

—Eu ropean Council of Chemical Manufacturers' Federations (CEFIC)—

—In ternational Federation for Hygiene, Preventive Medicine and Social Medicine (IFHPSM).6.

6. In keeping with the provisions of paragraph 14 of the appendix to Resolution (93) 38, the Secretary General has called on all NGOs with consultative status to submit a report on their activities as specified in paragraph 5.c of the appendix to that resolution.

The reports received are currently being examined.

Once that examination is complete, the Secretary General hopes to submit his observations to the Committee of Ministers and the Parliamentary Assembly shortly, also taking account of paragraph 10 of the appendix to Resolution (93) 38 on the withdrawal of consultative status from those NGOs which no longer comply with the obligations set out in the resolution.

APPENDIX

International non-governmental organisations

to be considered for inclusion in the list

of ngos enjoying consultative status

with the Council of Europe

International Catholic Association

for Radio, Television and Audiovisuals

(UNDA)

1. Application for consultative status: 28 February 1994

2. Founded:

3. Headquarters: Fribourg (Switzerland) — Permanent office in Brussels.

4. Aims:

—To provide the meeting point and a co-ordination centre for the professional and apostolic activities of catholics in radio and television and allied audiovisual means of communication for the purpose of evangelisation and human development;—

—to promote collaboration between its members at national, continental and world levels;—

—to represent the interests of its members internationally; to be in contact with other organisations, official or voluntary, pursuing similar aims or who are concerned with the media of communication;—

—to engage, within its own competence, in bringing help especially to the Third World;—

—to promote research in all matters pertaining to radio, television and audiovisuals;—

—to collaborate with the international Catholic organisations, especially those working in the field of social communication;—

—to collaborate with non-Catholic organisations pursuing similar objectives.5.

5. Structures:

A. Membership: is open

—To Catholic national associations, Catholic national offices, international Catholic organisations working in the field of radio, television and audiovisuals;—

—to the delegate appointed by the episcopate of a country where a national office has not yet been organised.B.

B. Organs:

i. General Assembly: is the supreme authority of the Association; meets in June every three years.

ii. Board of Management: administers the association; is composed of the president, vice-presidents, the immediate ex-president, two delegates from each continent, the delegate (president) elected by the international organisations; the members of the Board are all appointed by the General Assembly for a period of three years.

iii. Executive Committee: is authorised to make all necessary decisions within the framework of the policy laid down by the General Assembly and the Board of Management.

6. Activities:

—Co nsultative status with Unesco—

—co ntacts with the Council of Europe.7.

7. Representation:

National associations in Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.

8. Personalities:

President: Ms M. Tersteeg (the Netherlands)

Secretary General: Mr C. Murphy

9. Finance:

—An nual membership dues.10

10. Opinion of the Secretary General:

This organisation fulfils the necessary conditions for the grant of consultative status. It can be considered as sufficiently representative at the European level. The Council of Europe has already established working relations with UNDA. It appears also that, as for future relations, UNDA could make a useful contribution to the work of the Council of Europe.

For these reasons, the Secretary General decides in favour of granting consultative status to the International Catholic Association for Radio, Television and Audiovisuals (UNDA).

European Association of Elected Representatives

from Mountain Regions

(AEM)

1. Application for consultative status: 10 January 1994

2. Founded: 1991

3. Headquarters: Strasbourg

4. Aims:

—To tighten links between and unite, within the framework of the Association, representatives elected by the people living in mountain areas in Europe;—

—to ensure, within the framework of the Association, consultation, discussion and co-operation between all the partners concerned;—

—to promote solidarity among mountain regions and support the local authorities and organisations which form these regions;—

—to represent and defend the specific nature and interests of these mountain regions, the people living there and all their local communities;—

—to define, promote, develop and apply a European mountain policy which takes into account all problems be they legal, economic, social or cultural, fully respecting and protecting the environment;—

—to carry out an information and communication policy;—

—to adopt any common action, study or undertaking which may lead to the achievement of the Association's aims or entrusted tasks.5.

5. Structures:

A. Membership:

i. Full members: members of the European Parliament, elected representatives from mountain regions, local mountain communities or their representative organisations from member states of the European Union.

ii. Associate members: elected representatives, local communities or their representative organisations from disadvantaged areas of the member states of the European Union or non-European Union member states of the Council of Europe, elected representatives from mountain regions.

iii. Observers

B. Organs:

i. General meeting: made up of full members and associate members; convened as often as required in the interests of the association; defines the general policy of the association and its programme for the next three years.

ii. European Mountain Council: the administrative body of the association; each national delegation is represented; the number of seats is ninety (sixty-five seats accorded to full members and twenty-five seats to associate members).

iii. Executive Committee: The European Mountain Council elects an Executive Committee of thirty full members and five associate members.

6. Activities:

—Li aising with the Council of Europe (for example, preparation of the 3rd European Conference of Mountain Regions);—

—fo rging contacts with other European institutions, examining major European issues (for example, CAP or Alpine Convention);—

—ca rrying out information and communication exercises.7.

7. Representation:

Members in the following countries: Andorra, Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland.

8. Personalities:

President: Mr Bonrepaux (France)

Secretary General: Mr E. Martinengo ( ... )

9. Finance:

—Me mbership fees;—

—gr ants;—

—in dividual resources and donations and legacies;—

—pa yment for services rendered.10

10. Opinion of the Secretary General:

This is an active organisation playing a leading role in its field. The AEM has maintained lasting working links with the Council of Europe and is likely to make a useful contribution to the Council's work in the future.

The Secretary General is therefore in favour of granting the European Association of Elected Representatives from Mountain Regions (AEM) consultative status.

Association of European Journalists

(AEJ)

1. Application for consultative status: 28 February 1994

2. Founded: 1962

3. Headquarters: is located in the country of residence of the Secretary General

4. Aims:

—To participate actively in the creation of a European consciousness;—

—to deepen knowledge of European affairs and to inform public opinion of the activities of the European institutions;—

—to facilitate, by all available means, access by its members to sources of information of a European nature;—

—to promote reciprocal knowledge and understanding of the problems of each country;—

—to enhance the moral and practical status of journalism, particularly within the framework of the European Union.5.

5. Structure:

A. Membership: is open to all journalists who subscribe to the statutes.

B. Organs:

i. General Assembly: is composed of the members of the Association; meets in ordinary session each year; establishes main policy guidelines.

ii. Executive Committee: is the body of the Association which defines its action and provides for the efficiency of its operational activities; its members are elected by the General Assembly for two years in proportion to the number of the Association's national sections.

iii. General Secretariat: is composed of the Secretary General and the secretaries of the national sections; its main task is to assure a permanent liaison between the members of the Association.

iv. Conciliation and Arbitration Committee

v. Audit Committee

6. Activities:

—Co nferences, seminars for journalists and specialist interest groups;—

—re ports on the relationship of the media to democracy;—

—tr aining programmes to accelerate the access of the public to public information.7.

7. Representation:

Twenty-one national sections with a total membership of over 1 000 (Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, United Kingdom).

8. Personalities:

President: Mr A. Papandropoulos (Greece)

Secretary General: Mr G. Wagenlehner ( ... )

Treasurer: Mr N. Van Dijk ( ... )

9. Finance:

—En trance fees;—

—an nual subscriptions;—

—gi fts and voluntary contributions;—

—pr ofit from authorised activities.10

10. Opinion of the Secretary General:

The AEJ is an active and representative organisation in its field of competence. It has already established working relations with the Council of Europe. Furthermore, the AEJ is capable of making a useful contribution to the work of the Council, especially those activities related to the media in a European context.

For these reasons, the Secretary General decides in favour of granting consultative status to the Association of European Journalists.

European Association of Organisations for Home Care

and Help at Home

1. Application for consultative status: 23 January 1992

2. Founded: 1990 (statutes officially recognised in 1991)

3. Headquarters: Schaerbeek (Brussels)

4. Aims:

—To promote home care and help at home within the member states of the European Union;—

—to favour contacts between home care and help at home organisations;—

—to publicise and defend their interests with the competent bodies of the European Commission;—

—to promote scientific research in the Association's field.5.

5. Structures:

A. Members: The Association is a collection of (national) organisations legally constituted in accordance with the laws and customs which apply in their country of origin.

B. Organs:

i. General Assembly: enjoys the broadest powers for the purpose of fulfilling the association's objectives; is composed of delegates from all member organisations; meets as of right at least once a year.

ii. Board of Directors: The association's management body; composed of a maximum of two delegates per country.

iii. Executive Committee: in charge of the Association's daily administration.

6. Activities:

—Co ntacts with the European Commission;—

— ne wsletter;—

—a programme of exchanges for young people working in the field of home care and help at home;—

—or ganising a European congress;—

—st udies and scientific research.7.

7. Representation:

Member associations in: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

8. Personalities:

President: Mr K. van der Straten (Belgium)

Secretary General: Mr R. Seutin (Belgium)

9. Finance:

—Me mbership dues;—

—gi fts;—

—su bsidies;—

—an y other source of revenue not prohibited by law.10

10. Opinion of the Secretary General:

Examination of this organisation's file shows that it meets the criteria for granting consultative status. It enjoys a high enough level of representation in European countries and could make a useful contribution to the Council of Europe's work, especially in the fields of health and health care.

The Secretary General is therefore in favour of granting the European Association of Organisations for Home Care and Help at Home consultative status.

European Parents' Association

(EPA)

1. Application for consultative status: 31 January 1994

2. Founded: 1985

3. Headquarters: Brussels

4. Aims:

—Th e personal and general development of pupils;—

—re cognition for parents of their central place as the primary educators of their children, and of the need to involve them actively at all stages of the education of their children;—

—th e advancement of parents' associations in the different countries;—

—co -ordination between the various organisations of parents' associations;—

—th e representation of these organisations at a European level vis-à-vis governmental and non-governmental authorities.5.

5. Structures:

A. Membership:

i. Full members: national parent associations from the countries of the European Union or countries within the Council of Europe.

ii. Associate members: persons, associations, institutions who contribute through their own activities to the aims of the EPA.

B. Organs:

i. General Assembly: has all powers necessary for the purposes of the EPA; meets at least every two years.

ii. Administrative Council: runs the association; is composed of at least ten members elected for four years.

6. Activities:

—Ch arter of the rights and responsibilities of parents in Europe;—

—pa per of principles;—

—me dium-term policy-plan;—

—se minars, conferences;—

—tr aining courses for parents;—

—re search network;—

—pu blications.7.

7. Representation:

Members in all member states of the European Union and also in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Poland.

8. Personalities:

President: Ms M. Killeen (Ireland)

9. Finance:

—An nual subscriptions of members;—

—gi fts;—

—gr ants from governmental or non-governmental authorities;—

—in come from educational or social activities.10

10. Opinion of the Secretary General:

The examination of the file of EPA indicates that this organisation fulfils the necessary conditions for granting consultative status. EPA is particularly representative at the European level and can make a useful contribution to the work of the Council of Europe.

For these reasons, the Secretary General decides in favour of granting consultative status to the European Parents' Association (EPA).

International Association

for Mass Communication Research

(IAMCR)

1. Application for consultative status: 7 March 1994

2. Founded: 1957

3. Headquarters: Paris

4. Aims:

—To provide a forum where researchers and others involved in mass communication can meet and exchange information about their work;—

—to encourage the development of research and systematic study, especially on subjects and areas where such work is not well developed;—

—to stimulate interest in mass communication research;—

—to disseminate information about research and research needs — not only to researchers but also to those working in the various media and others responsible for communication policies;—

—ge nerally to seek to bring about improvements in communication practice, policy and research; to encourage research and the exchange of information on practices and conditions that impede communication and communication research;—

—to contribute, by means of appropriate research work, to the development and improvement of the training of journalists and other media professionals.5.

5. Structures:

A. Membership:

i. Individual members: The status of an individual member is conferred on any persons qualified by their activity in the field of mass communication research.

ii. Collective members: The status of a collective member is conferred on national councils and also on institutions, organisations, associations which are concerned with mass communication.

iii. Associate members: The status of an associate member is conferred on institutions and organisations which have interest in related fields.

B. Organs:

i. General Assembly: meets ordinarily every second year; defines the Association's principles of action and makes decision concerning the work programmes;

ii. International Council: is composed of the President, members of the Executive Board, between sixteen and thirty individual members elected by the General Assembly, the Presidents of the Association's sections and the Honorary Presidents; meets as often as appears necessary; controls (among other tasks) the execution of the programmes approved by the General Assembly;

iii. Executive Board: is charged with carrying out the Association's current business.

6. Activities:

—Co nsultative status with Unesco, working relations with the Council of Europe;—

—se minars and scientific conferences;—

—pu blications.7.

7. Representation:

Members established in sixty-four countries including twenty-two member states of the Council of Europe.

8. Personalities:

President: Professor C.J. Hamelink (the Netherlands)

Vice-Presidents: Professor H. Mowlana (USA); Professor E.K. Eapen (India);

Secretary General: Dr. T. Szecskö (Hungary)

9. Finance:

—Me mbership fees;—

—gr ants, awards and donations;—

—pa yment for the work undertaken by the Association.10

10. Opinion of the Secretary General:

IAMCR is, at the international and European level, a particularly representative organisation. It has already established working relations with the Council of Europe. It appears from these contacts, as well as from the examination of its file, that IAMCR could make a useful contribution to the work of the Council of Europe. In this context it should be mentioned that IAMCR has organised a number of seminars (some of them with the assistance of the Council of Europe) in central and east European countries dealing with media freedoms. IAMCR has also been invited to give evidence at hearings organised by the CDMM and by certain of its subordinated committees. The organisation brings together a number of first rate minds in media field and produces sound research documentation on media issues.

For these reasons the Secretary General decides in favour of granting consultative status to the International Association for Mass Communication Research (IAMCR).

Association for the Prevention of Torture

(APT)

1. Application for consultative status: 10 June 1994

2. Founded: 1992 (to replace the Swiss Committee against Torture)

3. Headquarters: Geneva

4. Aims:

—To prevent torture in all its forms, under any political regime. The APT operates at an international level and seeks in particular the establishment and efficient implementation of instruments of international law that provide for visits to places of detention with a view to enhancing the protection of persons deprived of their liberty and combating torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.5.

5. Structures:

A. Membership: any individual who accepts the aims and statute of the APT may become a member. The APT is open to all individuals irrespective of nationality.

B. Organs:

i. General Assembly: defines the main lines of APT activities; meets once a year; comprises all its members.

ii. The Board: composed of between eleven and twenty-one members of several nationalities; governs the APT.

iii. Secretariat

iv. Audit Body: composed of two auditors or of a corporate body operating in the fiduciary field.

6. Activities:

—Pa rticipation in the drafting of the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (ECPT); —

—wo rking links with the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT);—

—va rious actions for the implementation of the ECPT;—

—wo rking links with the United Nations;—

—bu lletin entitled "Preventing torture";—

—in formation network.7.

7. Representation:

315 members from twenty-nine countries worldwide including the following Council of Europe member states: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom.

8. Personalities:

Chairperson: Mr M. Mona (Switzerland)

Vice-Chairpersons: Mr R. Gautier (Switzerland); Mr N. Kälin (Switzerland)

Secretary General: Mr F. de Vargas (Switzerland)

9. Finance:

—Co ntributions from members and donors;—

—pr ivate grants;—

— go vernment grants;—

— in come from APT activities.10

10. Opinion of the Secretary General:

This is a particularly active and representative organisation in its field. The APT has already established working links with the Council of Europe particularly with regard to the drafting and implementation of the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Punishment or Treatment. Through studies and reports which it submits to various Council of Europe bodies, the APT is able to make a very useful contribution to Council activities in the field of human rights (torture prevention, detention conditions).

For these reasons, the Secretary General is in favour of granting consultative status to the Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT).

European Committee for Home-Based Priority Action

for the Child and the Family

1. Application for consultative status: 9 April 1991

2. Founded: 1989

3. Headquarters: Strasbourg

4. Aims:

—To undertake social action consistently designed to ensure that priority is given to maintaining children in a home-based environment;—

—to develop social and educational home-based assistance for the child and the family and promote policies which meet the real needs of families.5.

5. Structures:

A. Membership: The committee membership consists of the founder members and other private individuals and legal entities having accepted the statute.

B. Organs:

i. General Assembly: open to all members of the committee; normally meets each year.

ii. Board: consists of individuals or legal entities elected by the General Assembly.

iii. Executive Committee: consists of a chairperson, a vice-chairperson, a secretary, a treasurer and a member.

6. Activities:

—Cr eation of five commissions to achieve the statutory aims of the committee;—

—co ntacts with other European organisations;—

—co ngresses, colloquies, etc.7.

7. Representation:

—Re presentatives exist in the following countries: Germany, Belgium, Spain, France, Italy, United Kingdom, Switzerland.—

—Re presentatives are currently being sought in the following countries: Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Iceland, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Sweden.8.

8. Personalities:

Chairperson: Mr J. Henry (France)

Vice-Chairperson: Mr R. Occulto (Italy)

Secretary: Mr D. Moreau (Belgium)

9. Finance:

—Su bscriptions;—

—su bsidies;—

—gi fts, donations, legacies, contributions;—

—pr ofits from activities.10

10. Opinion of the Secretary General:

The committee is a reliable organisation active within its sphere of competence. It is adequately representative at European level and may contribute through its activities to the Council of Europe's work in fields such as social protection, the Social Charter, social exclusion, etc.

For these reasons, the Secretary General is in favour of granting consultative status to the European Committee for Home-Based Priority Action for the Child and the Family.

Standing Committee of Nurses of the European Union

1. Application for consultative status: 28 March 1994

2. Founded: 1971

3. Headquarters: Brussels

4. Aims:

—To study and as appropriate take action within its competence on matters relating to the nursing profession;—

—to provide up-to-date information on the nursing profession within the member states and to bring such information to the attention of European bodies and national nursing organisations;—

—to present its opinions and recommendations on all matters within its competence to the European Union institutions and to take any action it deems appropriate to ensure that these are duly considered;—

—to liaise with the committees and other bodies representing health care professions at European Union level;—

—to seek to influence the Commission and the advisory committees of the Council of the European Union on behalf of and in the interests of the nursing profession in the European Union.5.

5. Structures:

A. Membership: available to

i. one professional organisation from each European Union member state, provided that the organisation is affiliated to the International Council of Nurses;

ii. one professional organisation from a country officially applying for European Union membership. The organisation in question must be affiliated to the International Council of Nurses.

B. Organs:

i. Standing Committee: each national association holding membership appoints an official delegate to the Standing Committee for a term of two years.

ii. Bureau: comprises a president, a vice-president and a secretary elected by the official delegates.

6. Activities:

—Re search projects on the nursing profession;—

—pu blications:-"

- "Policy Statement" (1992);

- "The nurse's contribution to the care of the elderly" (1993);

- "The nurse's contribution to an EC public health policy" (1993);

- "Public health after Maastricht" (1994).

7. Representation:

Member national organisations in the countries of the European Union.

8. Personalities:

President: Mrs K. Stallknecht (Denmark)

Vice-President: Mr C. Kuffer (Luxembourg)

General Secretary: Mrs C. Hancock (United Kingdom)

9. Finance:

—Me mbers' contributions.10

10. Opinion of the Secretary General:

After examining the application of the Standing Committee of Nurses of the European Union, it is felt that the organisation satisfies the conditions for the granting of consultative status. It is sufficiently representative at European level and can usefully contribute, through its work, to the Council of Europe's activities.

For these reasons, the Secretary General is in favour of granting consultative status to the Standing Committee of Nurses of the European Union.

Commission for Greater Europe

1. Application for consultative status: 13 September 1994

2. Founded: 1993

3. Headquarters: Vienna

4. Aims:

—Sy stematic diminution of national, religious, racial and ideological prejudices that exist within Greater Europe;—

—pr omotion of partnership and of new political consensus between preceding and succeeding democracies in Europe;—

—cr eation of improved legal and organisational framework for coherent economic co-operation between preceding and succeeding democracies in Europe;—

—su pport of democracy in eastern Europe by means of consultation, education, as well as by means of continuous exchange of views between leading statesmen;—

—de velopment of prospective institutions concerned with economic co-operation and security issues within Greater Europe.5.

5. Structures:

A. Membership:

The members of the Association are ordinary members. They can be physical or legal persons participating entirely in the activities of the Association.

B. Organs:

i. General Assembly: The ordinary General Assembly consists of all members of the Association; it meets every year; it conceive, among other tasks, general guidelines for the Association's activities.

ii. Executive Committee: is elected by the General Assembly for a period of two years; is composed of the President, three vice-presidents and the co-ordinators including the Executive Director.

iii. Executive Director

iv. Auditor

v. Arbitration Court: is entrusted with settling all arising disputes within the Association.

6. Activities:

—An alytical studies and framework for the establishment of Greater Europe (among them a number of reports on economic reforms in Russia, on the security co-operation between western Europe and Russia, on the structure and scape of western Europe's contribution to the economic modernisation of Russia);—

—co nduct of educational and advanced studies;—

—cr eation and management of a library and videotheque. 7.

7. Representation:

The members include eminent personalities from most of the western European countries and Russia.

8. Personalities:

President: Mr Jacques Chirac (France)

Vice-Presidents: Mr Anatolij Chubais (Russia); Otto Graf Lambsdorff (Germany); Mr Alois Mock (Austria)

9. Finance:

—Co ntributions of admittance and membership;—

—do nations, gatherings, presents, legacies and returns from foundations;—

—re turns from publications and other works and organised events;—

—su bsidies;—

—ot her contributions.10

10. Opinion of the Secretary General:

It appears from the examination of its file and the previous contacts established between the representatives of the Council of Europe and this association that the Commission for Greater Europe fulfils the conditions for the grant of consultative status. Through its high level membership it is particularly representative at the European level and can make a very useful contribution to the work of the Council of Europe, especially to those activities concerning working relations with Russia in various fields.

For these reasons the Secretary General has decided in favour of granting consultative status to the Commission for Greater Europe.

European Council of WIZO Federations

(ECWF)

1. Application for consultative status: May 1994

2. Founded: 1992

3. Headquarters: Paris

4. Aims:

—To promote the interests of women living in member states of the Council of Europe or the European Union;—

—to promote the effective achievement of equal rights and opportunities for women and men;—

—to present proposals in favour of a European social policy;—

—to seek to influence European policy decisions on all problems affecting European society, in particular, racism and anti-Semitism;—

—to contribute to the information and training of Federation members in European educational, cultural and social fields;—

—to ensure that co-operation between the European Union and other countries, in particular those of central and eastern Europe and developing countries, fully includes women.5.

5. Structures:

A. Membership:

i. Active members: two delegates designated by each federation having approved the bylaws of the European Council of WIZO Federations;

ii. Corresponding members: one to three experts designated by the World WIZO.

B. Organs:

i. General Assembly: includes the active and corresponding members of the association; meets at least once a year.

ii. Board of Administrators: composed of between twelve and fourteen members elected by the General Assembly every two years; meets at least once every six months.

6. Activities:

—In formation meetings;—

—ci rculation of documents;—

—se minars;—

—co ngresses:19 92: "Women and Europe"19

1993: "Central Europe — Nationalism, a factor of violence — is prevention possible and how?"

7. Representation:

Member organisations: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Czech Republic, United Kingdom.

8. Personalities:

President: Mrs Bernice Dubois (United States)

Vice-Presidents: Mrs Iride Schwarz (Italy); Mrs Anna-Elisabeth Cohn (Netherlands)

General Secretary: Mrs Huguette Ouaknine (France)

9. Finance:

—Su bscriptions;—

—su bsidies from the state, regions, departments, municipalities, European institutions and others;—

—al l other legal resources.10

10. Opinion of the Secretary General:

The file shows that this is a serious organisation whose activities cover several fields. The Secretary General believes it could make a useful contribution to Council of Europe activities, particularly in the fields of action against racism, equality between women and men, social protection, adult education, local democracy and so on.

For these reasons, the Secretary General is in favour of granting consultative status to the European Council of WIZO Federations (ECWF).

European Council for High Ability

(ECHA)

1. Application for consultative status: 25 May 1994

2. Founded: 1987

3. Headquarters: Nijmegen (the Netherlands)

4. Aims:

—To promote research, development and education in the field of high ability.5.

5. Structures:

A. Membership: is open to natural persons and legal entities. Natural persons can also be admitted as observers.

B. Organs:

i. General Committee: The society is managed by the General Committee consisting of at least three persons.

ii. Executive Committee: executes the decisions of the General Committee and the General Assembly.

iii. General Assembly: is entitled to all competencies with the society; meets every year; all members of the society and all observers have admittance to the General Assembly.

6. Activities:

—Bi ennial international conferences;—

—sy mposia and workshops;—

—co mmunication network:-n

- national correspondents

- schools division

- special interest groups

- information centre;

—pu blications ("The European Journal for High Ability", "ECHA News");—

—"I nternational Advanced Diploma in the Teaching of the Highly Able".7.

7. Representation:

Members and correspondents in Austria, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States of America.

8. Personalities:

President: Professor Dr. F. Monks (the Netherlands)

Secretary and Treasurer: Dr H. Wagner (Germany)

9. Finance:

—Me mbership dues.10

10. Opinion of the Secretary General:

This organisation has already established close working relations with the Council of Europe. It appears from the outcome of these relations and the examination of the file of ECHA that this organisation fulfils the necessary requirements for the grant of consultative status. ECHA is sufficiently representative at the European level and by its activities, can contribute positively to the work of the Council of Europe.

For these reasons the Secretary General has decided in favour of granting consultative status to the European Council for High Ability (ECHA).

European Council of Conscripts Organisations

(ECCO)

1. Application for consultative status: 27 January 1994

2. Founded: 1992 formally (exists since 1979)

3. Headquarters: Utrecht (the Netherlands)

4. Aims: ECCO will have the function of a platform for organisations and movements of conscripts towards national and international organisations and institutes in order to:

a. improve the position of conscripts;

b. support and promote the development of democratic organisations and movements of conscripts;

c. promote the development of mutual understanding and to strive after equal rights for all conscripts as civilians in uniform;

d. draw the attention of the public opinion of all sectors of society to the basic principles of the ECCO-programme;

e. promote the co-operation between conscripts and their organisations;

f. promote the study into the problems that conscripts have to contend with;

g. represent the interests of conscripts at national and international organisations and institutes;

h. be consulted by organisations and institutes.

5. Structures:

A. Membership:

i. Regular members: an organisation or a movement of conscripts that has been accepted as such by the Congress.

ii. Candidate members: this status is granted for a period of one year to an organisation or a movement of conscripts that desires to become a regular member.

B. Organs:

i. Congress: is the highest body within ECCO; is composed of all members that have a right to delegate at least two persons; every year at least one Congress is held.

ii. Executive Committee: is composed of four to eight persons elected by the Congress for the period until the next annual Congress.

iii. Commissions

6. Activities:

—Co nferences, seminars;—

—pu blications;—

—co ntacts with other organisations;—

—"E uropean Social Charter for Conscripts".7.

7. Representation:

Member organisations in: Austria, Czech Republic, France, Finland, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden.

8. Personalities:

President: Mr G. Algra ( ... )

Secretary General: Mr M. Hulst (the Netherlands)

9. Finance:

—Co ntributions and gifts by members;—

—me mbership dues;—

—fi nancial proceeds of various projects;—

—gr ants and subsidies;—

—ot her donations.10

10. Opinion of the Secretary General:

An active co-operation between the Council of Europe and this organisation is already under way. The examination of the file submitted by ECCO shows that this organisation meets the conditions required for granting consultative status; it is sufficiently representative at the European level and can make by its activities, a useful contribution to the work of the Council of Europe.

For these reasons, the Secretary General has decided in favour of granting consultative status to the European Council of Conscripts Organisations (ECCO).

Europe 2000

1. Application for consultative status: 24 May 1994

2. Founded: 1989

3. Headquarters: Brussels

4. Aims: The systematic study and the promotion of the conditions liable to preserve the constitutional state based on the respect of human rights in European society in the years up to and after the year 2000.

5. Structures:

A. Membership:

i. Active members: are natural and artificial persons who, through their skills and dedication, actively support the association.

ii. Associate members: are natural or artificial persons who wish to give the association moral or natural support or scientific assistance.

iii. Honorary members: honorary membership is conferred upon persons to whom the association wishes to pay tribute for their actions in support of the association's objectives.

B. Organs:

i. General meeting: consists only of active members; is held each year; may only call terms on the agenda unless otherwise decided by an unanimous resolution.

ii. Management: The association is administered by a management, made up of no less than three natural persons of different nationalities who are appointed for a period of two years by the General meeting; the management is invested with far-reaching powers to run and administer the association.

6. Activities:

Conferences, seminars, publications, proposals on the issues such as:

—pr oblems of environment and industrial security;—

—po litical violence and terrorism;—

—da ta protection legislation;—

—tr ansfers of sovereignty;—

—so cial issues, adaptation to the new technologies, immigration;—

—co nsequences of the changes in the institutional order of Europe.7.

7. Representation:

Members in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.

8. Personalities:

President: Mr W. van Lanschot (the Netherlands)

Vice-Presidents: Mr H. Boge (Germany); Mrs M. Goldsmith-Dansaert (France); Mr R.A. Gonsalves (the Netherlands); Mr J.G. Jonety (Belgium)

Secretary General: Mr T. Sleeswijk-Visser (the Netherlands)

9. Finance:

—Su bscriptions and fruits of any operations and any investment that the association may make in the pursuit of its object;—

—do nations, grants, legacies.10

10. Opinion of the Secretary General:

The examination of the file of Europe 2000 indicates that it is an active and representative organisation in the field of its competence. The association has already established contacts with the Council of Europe. Europe 2000 can also make through its activities a useful contribution to the work of the Council of Europe.

For these reasons the Secretary General has decided in favour of granting consultative status to Europe 2000.

European Palaeontological Association (EPA)

1. Application for consultative status: 15 December 1994

2. Founded: 1991

3. Headquarters: Strasbourg

4. Aims:

—To foster co-operation between palaeontologists from different European countries and promote teaching and research in the subject;—

—to organise scientific meetings;—

—to enhance and protect Europe's palaeontological heritage.5.

5. Structures:

A. Membership:

i. Honorary members: those who have rendered signal service to the Association.

ii. Patrons: persons paying an enrolment fee and a subscription

iii. Active or associate members: individuals and legal entities who have undertaken to pay an annual subscription.

B. Organs:

i. Administrative Council: The Association is run by an Administrative Council of 15 members elected by the General Meeting for a three-year term of office; it meets at least once a year.

ii. General Meeting: comprises all members and meets every two years or whenever necessary in the interests of the Association.

6. Activities:

—Co lloquies, congresses, workshops;—

—pu blications.7.

7. Representation:

—Th e Association has over 400 individual members, in twenty-nine European countries, Australia, Canada, Israel, Morocco and the United States.8.

8. Personalities:

President: Mr J.C. Gall (France)

Vice-Presidents: Mrs M. Gayet (France); Mr G. Pinna (Italy)

Secretaries: Mrs D. Decrouez (Switzerland); Mr F. Fursich (Germany)

9. Finance:

—En rolment fees and subscriptions;—

—su bsidies;—

—an y income authorised by law.10

10. Opinion of the Secretary General:

After examining the EPA's application, it is felt that the organisation satisfies the conditions for the granting of consultative status. It may be regarded as particularly representative in its field of expertise, at European and indeed world level. It can usefully contribute to Council of Europe activities, particularly in the area of cultural heritage (since fossils form part of our cultural heritage in the same way as mountains, karstic landscapes or caves, their study is to be regarded as vital to an understanding of the history of life on earth).

For all these reasons, the Secretary General is in favour of granting consultative status to the European Palaeontological Association (EPA).

European Federation of National Organisations

Working with the Homeless

(FEANTSA)

1. Application for consultative status: 15 March 1994

2. Founded: 1989

3. Headquarters: Brussels

4. Aims:

—To alert European institutions and national governments to the need to help the homeless and eradicate the phenomenon of homelessness;—

—to promote policies in favour of the homeless with the aim of alleviating and eliminating homelessness in member states;—

—to make specific proposals to the European Parliament and the European Commission to this end and to monitor the progress of the Parliament and Commission in this field;—

—to encourage exchanges of experience and research findings between NGOs with a view to improving policies and practices with regard to the homeless;—

—to develop research into the nature, extent and causes of homelessness in member states;—

—to raise public awareness of the problem.5.

5. Structures:

A. Membership:

i. Active members: these are representatives of national associations working with the homeless and also individuals or legal entities responsible for setting up such associations in countries where they do not exist.

ii. Associate members and honorary members: any individuals or legal entities working with the homeless.

B. Organs:

i. General Assembly: has full powers; comprises all active members (associate members and honorary members may participate with consultative status); meets every two years.

ii. Administrative Council: the association is run by a council comprising five members elected by the General Assembly.

6. Activities:

—Eu ropean Observatory on Homelessness-p

- publication of reports, research, etc.;

—in ternational exchanges and involvement in informing the general public and decision-makers about the problems of the homeless;—

—pu blic relations activities;—

—pu blications.7.

7. Representation:

Members in the following countries: Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom, United States.

8. Personalities:

President: Mr B. Harvey (Ireland)

Vice-Presidents: Mrs A. de Gouy (France); Mr T. Specht-Kittler (Germany)

Treasurers: Mr J. Gaublomme (Belgium); Mrs H. Thomsen (Denmark)

9. Finance:

10. Opinion of the Secretary General:

The FEANTSA is both active and representative at European level and has already forged working links with the Council of Europe. Its research structure, among other things, enables it to make a useful contribution to the Council's work in areas such as "human dignity and social exclusion" and "human rights and true democracy".

For these reasons, the Secretary General is in favour of granting consultative status to the European Federation of National Organisations Working with the Homeless (FEANTSA).

Universal Forum Foundation

1. Application for consultative status: 30 August 1994

2. Founded: 1990

3. Headquarters: Vaduz (Liechtenstein)

4. Aims:

—Th e promotion, organisation, implementation and management, directly or indirectly, of all means of action likely to create, in political, social, cultural, economic, legal, scientific, technical and financial fields, both permanent and temporary structures for dialogue and exchange between correspondents in all countries holding high-level official or professional responsibilities. In particular, the Foundation seeks to promote and develop the "Crans Montana Forum".5.

5. Structures:

A. Membership:

Besides the members of its various organs, the Foundation targets three groups on a worldwide scale:

i. politicians;

ii. businessmen and businesswomen;

iii. the media.

B. Organs:

i. Foundation Council: comprises between three and twenty-one members (members are co-opted); represents the Foundation in dealings with third parties; decides Foundation policy (in addition to other functions).

ii. Executive Council: comprises five members who must be elected by the Council from among its members; meets whenever necessary; implements and manages the daily work of the Foundation (in addition to other functions).

iii. Senate: the body which discusses and guides the Foundation's work and activities; comprises between five and fifteen members, appointed by the Council for a five-year term.

6. Activities:

—An nual Crans Montana Universal Forum (attended by top-level delegations: heads of state and government, ministers). The main themes of the 5th Forum in 1994 included: Iran's international relations; western Europe — central and eastern Europe, the problem of exchange; Europe and world investment; Azerbaijan; the Czech Republic; a new Middle East in the wake of GATT; Argentina; Russia; Belarus — economic prospects; Slovakia; Croatia; Hungary; the CSCE; the future of Macedonia etc.;—

—ho lding of conferences (Athens 1992, Bucharest 1994);—

—co nsolidated reports and publications.7.

7. Representation:

The Foundation Council comprises nationals from France, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. However, delegations from other European countries and other continents regularly participate in the work of the Foundation.

8. Personalities:

Honorary President: S.A.S. Prince Anton von und zu Liechtenstein (Liechtenstein)

President: Mr Jean-Paul Carteron (France)

9. Finance:

The Foundation has a capital of SFR 30 000.

Founders or third parties may make donations of any kind to the Foundation at any time.

10. Opinion of the Secretary General:

In the light of the organisation's application and the fact that there are already working links between the Council of Europe and the Universal Forum Foundation (participation by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe in different meetings organised by the Foundation, exchanges of documentation, participation of members of the Council Secretariat in various activities of the Foundation), we may conclude that this body fully satisfies the conditions for the granting of consultative status. The Foundation, in terms of both its aims and activities, is capable of effectively supporting and contributing to the work of the Council of Europe.

For these reasons, the Secretary General is in favour of granting consultative status to the Universal Forum Foundation.

IRPEPS

Association of European Pharmaceutical Inspectors

1. Application for consultative status: 29 December 1993

2. Founded: 1991

3. Headquarters: Lille

4. Aims:

—To pool the experience of the association's members through an ongoing exchange of information (organisation of training periods spent with colleagues, colloquies to discuss the concepts behind their jobs, seminars for sharing experiences, comparative studies, dissemination of publications, etc.);—

—to foster an awareness of the different ways in which its members carry out their jobs and of their relations with users of medicines and other products resulting from progress in the pharmaceutical sciences;—

—to assess the facilities which its members have at their disposal when performing the tasks entrusted to them in their respective countries, with particular reference to basic and in-service training.5.

5. Structures:

A. Membership:

Government-employed pharmacists and other people who endorse the association's aims.

B. Organs:

i. General Assembly: the association's decision-making body, which meets annually;

ii. Administrative Council: made up of twelve members elected by the General Assembly for a five-year term; executes the General Assembly's decisions.

6. Activities:

—Co ntribution to training sessions for government-employed pharmacists;—

—pu blications;—

—bo oklet describing product control and on-site inspection in the field of pharmaceutical sciences in Europe.7.

7. Representation:

Members in the following countries: Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, Poland, Romania, Slovak Republic, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom.

8. Personalities:

President: Mr J.P. Deroubaix (Belgium)

Vice-Presidents: Mr E. Aubry (France); Ms O. Fischer (Germany)

9. Finance:

10. Opinion of the Secretary General:

As this is a representative and active organisation that already has working relations with the Council of Europe, and as it may be able to contribute to the Council's activities, the Secretary General is in favour of granting consultative status to IRPEPS — the Association of European Pharmaceutical Inspectors.

International League against Racism and Antisemitism

(LICRA)

1. Application for consultative status: 31 January 1994

2. Founded: 1927

3. Headquarters: Paris

4. Aims:

—To condemn and combat, by every means possible, racism, anti-Semitism and xenophobia throughout the world;—

—to lobby national authorities and international institutions in any way necessary for this purpose;—

—to do everything possible to support national action by any of its members and conduct worldwide action for the benefit of all.5.

5. Structures:

A. Membership:

LICRA is composed exclusively of its founding associations and of other associations which join.

B. Organs:

i. Administrative Council: invested with wide-ranging powers to authorise all acts and operations the association is allowed to undertake; comprises as many multiples of three members as there are associations; meets as often as possible and at least once every six months.

ii. Bureau: comprises four members elected for two years; the President of the French section is automatically President of the Bureau; the Bureau executes the Administrative Council's decisions under the authority of the President.

6. Activities:

—(L egal, educational, information) campaigns directed at the judicial authorities and schools to condemn any act of exclusion and racial or anti-Semitic discrimination;—

—pu blications (its journal "Le Droit de vivre" ("The right to live"));—

—co ngresses, conventions, colloquies, round tables, forums, etc.7.

7. Representation:

Member associations in Austria, Canada, France, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, the Russian Federation and Switzerland.

8. Personalities:

President: Mr Jean-Pierre Bloch

9. Finance:

—Gr ants from international organisations;—

—do nations and legacies;—

—an y funds remaining from its activities.10

10. Opinion of the Secretary General:

LICRA has already established working relations with the Council of Europe. It can make a useful contribution to the Council's work, particularly with regard to the protection of freedoms and fundamental rights, legal co-operation, the protection of migrants' rights and combating racism. LICRA is also in a position to disseminate the Council of Europe's work among a fairly varied public.

For these reasons the Secretary General is in favour of granting consultative status to the International League against Racism and Anti-Semitism.

European Judges for Democracy and Liberties

(MEDEL)

1. Application for consultative status: 22 January 1994

2. Founded: 1985

3. Headquarters: Charleroi (Secretariat)

4. Aims:

—To set up a debate among judges from different countries so as to support and promote European Community integration and the establishment of European political union;—

—to defend the independence of the judiciary vis-à-vis both the Executive and individual interests;—

—to make the judiciary more democratic in terms of both recruitment and the conditions under which judges practice their profession, with particular reference to hierarchy;—

—to respect, in all circumstances, the legal values inherent in a democratic state governed by the rule of law;—

—to affirm judges' right to freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and freedom of association, and all rights connected with trade union or collective action;—

—to establish a form of justice that is seen as a public service open to public scrutiny, in which the public can be involved and which they can monitor;—

—to promote the European democratic legal tradition through the exchange of information and studies of topics of common interest;—

—to proclaim and defend the rights of minorities and the right to be different, in particular the rights of immigrants and the most deprived sections of the population, with a view to the social emancipation of the weakest members of society.5.

5. Structures:

A. Membership:

i. Judges who have signed the convention of 15 June 1985 and those admitted up to that date;

ii. judges who have signed the present convention;

iii. judges accepted by the General Assembly by a two-thirds majority of the votes cast.

Only judges put forward by a national association of judges which they represent may be members of MEDEL. An exception is made to this rule if there is no organisation in their country represented in MEDEL for their level of jurisdiction.

B. Organs:

i. General Assembly: approves the accounts for the past financial year, passes the budget for the following financial year, discusses items on the agenda, renews the term of office of members of the Administrative Council, appoints an auditor.

ii. Administrative Council: composed of at least seven members put forward by national associations and elected by the General Assembly.

iii. Bureau of the Administrative Council: responsible for executing the Administrative Council's decisions; comprises at least three members, preferably of different nationalities, including the President, the Secretary and the Treasurer, whose term of office is one year, renewable.

6. Activities:

—Nu merous congresses (in particular: "Minorities", November 1993, Seville; "Insecurity", November 1993, Paris);—

—co lloquies and seminars;—

—co -operation with the Council of Europe (organisation of training courses for judges from central and eastern Europe);—

—pu blication of a monthly newsletter.7.

7. Representation:

Members in: Belgium, Croatia, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Spain.

8. Personalities:

President: Mr Heinz Stötzel (Germany)

Vice-President: Mr Antonio Cluny (Portugal)

9. Finance:

—Su bscriptions;—

—gr ants;—

—gi fts and donations;—

—fu nds raised exceptionally.10

10. Opinion of the Secretary General:

It appears from an examination of the MEDEL file that the organisation fulfils the conditions for consultative status. Moreover, MEDEL has already had fruitful contacts with the Council of Europe and is widely representative at European level. The organisation could make a useful contribution to the Council of Europe's work, especially in the fields of human rights and legal co-operation between countries.

For these reasons, the Secretary General is in favour of granting consultative status to European Judges for Democracy and Liberties (MEDEL).

World Heritage Cities Organisation

(OVPM)

1. Application for consultative status: 28 April 1994

2. Founded: 1993

3. Headquarters: Quebec

4. Aims:

—To encourage ongoing co-operation among all the world's historic cities, emphasising exchanges likely to sustain the efforts of those cities located in developing countries;—

—to foster and support the setting up of a network of links between the populations of member cities by organising programmes of exchanges for residents in the cultural, social, economic and other spheres;—

—to give precedence to exchanges along two main axes, promoting both intraregional and intracultural co-operation and the dissemination of skills. The horizontal axis will enable cities grappling with similar problems (because of their geographical location, culture or stage of development) to share and expand their skills. The vertical one will channel this knowledge to all participating cities and enable them to benefit from it;—

—en able each member city to make use of all the others' know-how and of the solutions they have found to their problems;—

—to help member cities to adapt and perfect their management methods according to the specific requirements they face;—

—be tter to direct, with the co-operation of specialist bodies, including ICOMOS, IUCN, ICOM and ICCROM, the studies and research carried out by specialists and experts into the needs of those responsible for municipal management;—

—to take all necessary steps to ensure that world heritage cities are recognised, de jure and de facto, as no longer being military targets during any act of war.5.

5. Structures:

A. Membership:

Cities recognised by Unesco as World Heritage Cities.

B. Organs:

i. Meeting of members: comprises all paid-up members of the organisation, meets every two years; its powers include that of shaping the organisation's activities and approving the work programme.

ii. Board: comprises eight members elected by the meeting of members; implements the meeting's decisions; meets at least once a year.

iii. Permanent secretariat

6. Activities:

—Co llaboration with Unesco and the intergovernmental World Heritage Committee;—

—bi annual meetings, conferences, colloquies, etc;—

—pu blications;—

—ex hibitions.7.

7. Representation:

Eighty-eight member cities in twenty-four states, of which fourteen are Council of Europe member states (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovak Republic, Turkey, United Kingdom).

8. Personalities:

Chair: Mr J.-P. l'Allier (Canada)

Vice-Chairs: Mr B.M. Olsen (Norway); Mr M. Diop (Senegal); Mr A. Dias Fernandez (Portugal) Mr A. Moufdi (Morocco); Mr D. Estrada Perez (Peru) Mr J. Sanchez Garrido (Spain)

9. Finance:

—Me mbers' subscriptions;—

—gr ants, subsidies, contributions, donations, legacies;—

—re sources generated by the organisation's activities, income from assets.10

10. Opinion of the Secretary General:

It is clear from the contact already established with the OVPM, and from an examination of its application, that this organisation meets the necessary conditions for the granting of consultative status: the OVPM is sufficiently representative at European level, and its activities and resources mean that it can make a useful contribution to the activities of the Council of Europe.

This being so, the Secretary General is in favour of the granting of consultative status to the World Heritage Cities Organisation (OVPM).

Rotary International (RI)

1. Application for consultative status: 13 April 1993

2. Founded: 1905

3. Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, USA

4. Aims:

To encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:

—th e development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;—

—hi gh ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying by each Rotarian of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying by each Rotarian of his occupation as an opportunity to serve society;—

—th e application of the ideal of service by every Rotarian to his personal business, and community life;—

—th e advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.5.

5. Structures:

A. Membership:

Consists of clubs which continue to perform the obligations as set forth in this constitution and the by-laws (except as otherwise provided in the by-laws — not more than one club is admitted as membership from any city, borough, or municipal area. A club is composed of active members who are adult persons of good character and good business and professional reputation).

B. Organs:

i. Board of Directors: is the administrative body of RI; composed of eighteen members (will be nineteen in 1995-96), exercises general control and supervision over all officers; meets at such time and places as it may determine.

ii. Officers: consist of president, vice-president, directors, general secretary, treasurer, district governors, and the president, immediate past president and honorary treasurers of RI in Great Britain and Ireland; the officers are nominated and elected as provided in the by-laws.

iii. Convention: is held annually, in any convention each club is entitled to be represented by at least one delegate.

iv. Council on legislation: constitutes the legislative body of RI; meets triennially; composed of one representative of the clubs of each district.

6. Activities:

Rotary Programmes:

—Pr eserve Planet Earth "on critical ecological issues";—

—Wo rld Community Service;—

—Yo uth Exchange;—

—In teract and Rotary Clubs "for secondary school students";—

—Ro tary Youth Leadership Awards;—

—Ro tary Volunteers;—

—Ro tary Village Corps;—

—Fr iendship Exchange and World Fellowship Activities.Ro

Rotary Foundation Programmes:

—In ternational Ambassadorial Scholarship;—

—Po lio Plus Programme;—

—He alth, Hunger and Humanity (3-H) Programme;—

—Gr oup Study Exchange;—

—Ma tching Grants;—

—Gr ants for Rotary Volunteers;—

—Ro tary Peace Programmes.Ro

Rotaries Clubs all over the world meet weekly to build friendship and service goals. Each club determines its own activities namely in the fields such as fighting hunger, environmental concerns, illiteracy, drug abuse prevention, helping the elderly, etc.

7. Representation:

RI is an organisation of more than 1,1 million business and professional men and women. Rotary Clubs exist in more than 185 countries and geographical regions, including all member states of the Council of Europe.

8. Personalities:

President: Robert R. Barth (Switzerland)

Secretary General: Herbert A. Pigman ( ... )

9. Finance:

Every club pays semiannually to RI, per capita dues, as provided in the by-laws.

10. Opinion of the Secretary General:

Rotary International has a worldwide representation. RI and rotary clubs support and involve themselves in initiatives to promote health, education, youth and social and economic development. By its different activities RI and Rotary Clubs can contribute effectively to the work of the Council of Europe. They are also capable of making known the Council of Europe's work among wider public at the European and as well as world level.

For these reasons the Secretary General strongly is in favour of granting consultative status to Rotary International (RI).

European Union of Judges

in Commercial Matters

1. Application for consultative status: 4 January 1994

2. Founded: 1989

3. Headquarters: Strasbourg

4. Aims: The association's aims are:

—to forge or strengthen confraternal links among its members through meetings, study groups and national or international conferences;—

—to distribute any publication, study or newsletter selected by it as a means of providing information to its members;—

—to participate in studies or journeys, carried out where necessary in conjunction with the judicial and administrative authorities of Council of Europe member states and with the European Economic Community;—

—of ficially to represent its members at the European Economic Community, Council of Europe, European Parliament and, in general, at all the European institutions;—

—to set up any temporary or permanent group responsible for conducting studies or research with a view to the harmonisation in European countries of legislation, case law, practice, customs in respect of commercial matters and the operation of commercial courts;—

—to co-ordinate, through regular meetings, the activities undertaken by the associations and bodies of all kinds represented in it, in the fields listed above.5.

5. Structures:

A. Membership:

i. Active members:

—pr actising or honorary judges who work or used to work in a Council of Europe member state;—

—as sociations whose purposes are compatible with those of the association.ii

ii. Honorary or associate members:

Legal entities and individuals, even those outside the court system of a Council of Europe member state, who have rendered or are able to render services to the association.

B. Organs:

i. Board: has extremely wide-ranging powers; comprises a number of members decided annually by the General Meeting; is convened once every six months, in principle.

ii. General Meeting: the Association's affairs are dealt with by General Meetings attended by all members; convened once a year in ordinary session.

6. Activities:

—Wo rking links with the Council of Europe (takes part in the work of the European Committee on Legal Co-operation);—

—Eu ropean Congress (1991) on the themes of commercial justice and arbitration and European competition law (with the support of the European Community);—

—im plementation of a European law training programme;—

—pa rticipation in the Demodroit programmes under the aegis of the Council of Europe;—

—pu blication of a periodical, La Lettre du Juriste Européen.7.

7. Representation:

Member national associations (Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland) and individual members (Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain).

8. Personalities:

Chair: Mr G. Hox (Belgium)

Secretary General: Mr P. Goetz (France)

9. Finance:

—Me mbers' subscriptions.10

10. Opinion of the Secretary General:

The UEMC is an active, representative organisation in its field. It has already forged working links with the Council of Europe. These have shown that the UEMC is in a position to make a useful contribution to the Council's activities.

This being so, the Secretary General is in favour of the granting of consultative status to the European Union of Judges in Commercial Matters.

1 ¹Paragraph 8 of the appendix to Resolution (93) 38:

"The decision to grant an organisation consultative status shall be taken by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe in accordance with the above rules. The Secretary General may also take into consideration the main priorities of the Council of Europe programme of activities and possible proliferation of organisations in a given sector of activity.

However this decision will be submitted for tacit approval to the Committee of Ministers and to the Parliamentary Assembly. To this end the Secretary General shall inform the Committee of Ministers and the Parliamentary Assembly at least once a year of the names of the organisations concerned, together with those items from the relevant files which are necessary for the assessment of each case and his or her reasons for suggesting that they be added to the list. In the absence of any objection founded on the conditions set out in paragraph 9 below, the said organisations will be added three months later to the list of those enjoying consultative status."

2 ¹Paragraph 9 of the appendix to Resolution (93) 38:

"During the three-month period, a member of the Committee of Ministers or three members of the Assembly of different nationalities may request that an examination be made of the file of any applicant organisation. In the former case, the examination shall be made and the decision to add the name to the list shall be taken by the Committee of Ministers. In the latter case, the Committee of Ministers shall defer its decision until it has received a recommendation from the Assembly acting on a report from its competent committee."