Article 5 – World Congress

Section 1 – Composition

The World Congress is the supreme organ of the World Federation and is composed of delegates duly nominated by the full members. UNESCO and the other categories of members may participate as observers. The number of delegates per full member and the number of votes shall be set out in the Rules of Procedure.

Section 2 – Credentials Committee

A Credentials Committee nominated by the World Congress shall examine the credentials of delegates before their admission, in accordance with the Constitution and the Rules of Procedure, and report to the World Congress.

Section 3 – Functions of the World Congress

The World Congress is a world authority through which the problems facing the Federation may be addressed, and acts as a mechanism for the coordination and integration of the Federation’s programmes. It shall have the following main functions:

(a)   to adopt the General Rules, which comprise the Rules of Procedure of the World Congress, the Rules of Procedure of the World Federation and the Financial Rules;

(b)   to lay down guidelines for the Federation that are in harmony with the general policies of UNESCO;

(c)   to approve the report of activities drawn up by the Secretary General and the financial report for the period since the previous World Congress drawn up by the Secretary General in agreement with the Treasurer, and to grant a qualified discharge;

(d)   to adopt the programme and budgetary guidelines proposed by the Executive Board for the period up to the following World Congress;

(e)   to evaluate the work of the different organs;

(f)    to elect, under the conditions laid down in Article 9, the President of the World Federation, the five Vice-Presidents, the five members of the Executive Board and the Treasurer. Cultural diversity and equitable geographical distribution shall be taken into account in these elections;

(g)   to appoint an Auditor upon the proposal of the Executive Board.

Section 4 – Ordinary Sessions 

(a)   The World Congress shall meet in ordinary session every four years.
(b)   The World Congress shall determine the date and place of the next session. Should it fail to do so, the Executive Board shall make the decision.

Section 5 – Extraordinary Sessions

(a)   An extraordinary session of the World Congress may be convened by the President of the World Federation, or at the request of two thirds of the members of the Executive Board or of full members up to date with their dues.

(b)   An extraordinary session shall concern itself only with the questions for which it has been convened.

Section 6 – Agenda of Ordinary Sessions of the World Congress

The Executive Board shall prepare a Pre-Draft Agenda to be circulated to all members at least four months before the opening of an ordinary session. Members shall submit any comments not less than six weeks before the opening of the session.

The Executive Board shall then prepare a provisional agenda based on the comments and suggestions received, for circulation to members and observers.

Section 7 – Officers of the World Congress

At the first plenary meeting of each World Congress, the duly accredited delegates shall elect the officers of the World Congress: Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, General “Rapporteur” and Deputy “Rapporteurs”, if required.