Statutes

Art. 1. The International Federation of Philosophical Societies (Fédération Internationale des Sociétés de Philosophie, or FISP) consists of Societies and Institutions whose activities are devoted to the development and pursuit of philosophical studies and research.

Art. 2. The aims of the Federation are:

1. to contribute directly to the development of professional relations and exchange of ideas between philosophers of all countries, freely and with mutual respect;
2. to facilitate relations between philosophers of different countries whenever international cooperation is useful or necessary;
3. to foster contacts between institutions, societies and periodical publications devoted to philosophy;
4. to collect documentation supporting the development and organisation of philosophical studies;
5. to contribute financially to the formation, development and maintenance of philosophical archives;
6. to undertake, by means of extraordinary grants, any other tasks furthering philosophical activities at an international level;
7. to sponsor every five years a World Congress of Philosophy and to promote other smaller conferences and meetings of an international character.

Art. 3. The Federation may receive subsidies from governments or intergovernmental organisations and donations from corporations, societies, institutions or individuals, used to support philosophical studies and their communication to the world of learning and the educated public.

Art. 4. FISP is an Association satisfying the norms of articles 60ff. of the Swiss Civil Code. Its headquarters are in Fribourg (Switzerland).

Art. 5. The duration of the Federation is unlimited.

Art. 6. Only regularly constituted philosophical societies may apply for admission.

Art. 7. Applications are acted on by the Steering Committee. Admission requires approval by a three-quarters majority; appeal against non-admission may be made to the General Assembly.

Art. 8. Member societies are classified as Full members or Corresponding members; further details are laid down in the Bye-Laws.

Art. 9. Membership may be terminated by resignation (subject to one year's notice) or by exclusion pronounced by the General Assembly with a two-thirds majority, on the grounds of failure to observe the Statutes or Bye-Laws, or persistent opposition to the aims of the Federation.

Art. 10. The Federation operates through the General Assembly, the Steering Committee, the President and the Bureau.

Art. 11. The General Assembly is composed of duly appointed delegates of all member societies and institutions.

Art. 12. The General Assembly meets in ordinary session on the occasion of the World Congresses of Philosophy and in extraordinary session whenever required.

Art. 13. Proceedings are effected by duly appointed delegates present, with delegation formulated in writing and sent to the President at least two months in advance.

Art. 14. The competence of the Assembly includes all questions relating to the activity of the Federation, in particular: laying down the budget; deciding cases of exclusion; electing the President and the Steering Committee; outlining the Steering Committee's activity; revising the Statutes; and appointing study committees.

Art. 15. Decisions are reached by absolute majority, except for amendments to the Statutes, which require a two-thirds majority.

Art. 16. The Assembly is chaired by the President, who prepares the agenda after consulting the Steering Committee.

Art. 17. The Steering Committee is the administrative body of the Federation. In addition to the President and Secretary General (voting members ex officio), it consists of between twenty-nine and thirty-nine members elected by the General Assembly for five years (re-eligible for not more than two further terms).

Art. 18. The Steering Committee is chaired by the President and is tasked with ascertaining and coordinating the wishes of member societies, presenting a draft budget, supervising activities, and concluding agreements in urgent cases.

Art. 19. The President chairs the General Assembly, the Steering Committee, and the Bureau; represents the Federation; authorises expenditures; and supervises the World Congress of Philosophy. After completing their term, the outgoing President remains a member of the Bureau for five years and then becomes Honorary President.

Art. 20. The Bureau coordinates the consultative committees, takes urgent action in the name of the Steering Committee, approves agendas and certifies reports of the Treasurer and Secretary General.

Art. 21. Three Vice-Presidents are elected by the Steering Committee from members who have served at least three years. Their order of succession is determined by the number of votes received.

Art. 22. The Secretary General is responsible for the practical conduct of the Federation's affairs in consultation with the President: maintaining the membership list, preparing meeting agendas, coordinating the consultative committees, preparing the Bulletin, and representing the Federation in its external relations.

Art. 23. The Secretary General and Treasurer are normally elected from among Steering Committee members; in exceptional cases, qualified non-members may be elected to these offices under specified conditions.

Art. 24. Decisions on matters not covered by these Statutes are left to the Steering Committee and may be fixed in Bye-Laws.