There are significant challenges to building an international network of non-governmental organizations working for cultural diversity. In addition to different understandings and approaches to the problems, there are different levels of organizational capacity around the world. Also, to interact successfully with governments and their international agencies, it is necessary to achieve legal recognition, which requires the network to conform to one or other set of national laws.
The ideal structure would be a network of national networks, reflecting the sovereignty and equality of states. However, this structure must remain a long-term objective until broader consensus is achieved and structural imbalances are eliminated. Thus, the INCD will be launched as a network of organizations that may be local, national or international in scope, with a light and flexible structure that can be changed easily to adapt to circumstances and new strategic directions.
The following framework is adopted as the best means of organizing the network for the time being. It is recognized it will require adjustment to conform to the national laws of the country in which it will be established.
Delegates to the June 1998 international conference At Home in the World in Ottawa, Canada resolved to launch an organization bringing together representatives of the world’s arts and cultural communities who are concerned about promoting cultural diversity. The founding of the International Network for Cultural Diversity, Réseau International pour la Diversité Culturelle, Red Internacional para la Diversidad Cultural, was confirmed at a meeting held in Thira, Greece on 26 September 2000.
The INCD is established as a not-for-profit corporation under the laws of Canada.
The members of the INCD believe:
Expression through arts and culture is a fundamental part of human society.
Cultural diversity strengthens us all.
The fruits of artistic creation are more than conventional goods and services, each is unique and all are an integral part of human societies.
Market forces alone cannot ensure cultural diversity at the national and international levels.
The INCD works to encourage:
The maintenance and promotion of cultural diversity as an important part of sustainable development.
States and citizens to implement policies and programs that support diverse artistic and cultural activities and to protect these from unwanted interventions from outside political or economic forces.
Opportunities for cultures to interact with each other, enriching artistic expression and expanding choices.
Special attention to the recognition and preservation of the cultures of indigenous peoples and traditional cultures.
A) The INCD comprises artists, creators, cultural workers, producers and those who bring the artistic creation to local and global audiences. We are part of the world’s arts and cultural communities and its living heritage, our past and our future. The INCD is a citizen’s movement, open to all non-governmental organizations and individuals who support the principles and purpose and are working for cultural diversity through democratic means.
B) Categories of Membership
i) Full Member: Full membership is available to non-governmental organizations in the arts and cultural community. A full member is entitled to be represented at all INCD Membership Meetings, to vote on all matters before the meeting and to nominate a candidate for membership on the Steering Committee for consideration by the Annual General Meeting.
ii) Associate Member: Associate membership is available to individuals in the arts and cultural community. An associate member is entitled to attend all Membership Meetings and to participate in all discussions. An associate member has the right to be elected to the Steering Committee when nominated by a Full Member or the Steering Committee in accordance with these By-laws. An associate member serving on the Steering Committee shall have the right to vote at all Membership Meetings convened during the term of office.
iii) Observer Status: Observer Status is available to other individuals and organizations, including governmental officials, government agencies and intergovernmental institutions that support the principles and purpose. An observer may attend Membership Meetings.
C) The Steering Committee may establish rules and administrative procedures required to give effect to the structure of the organization, including application forms, voting formalities and regulations regarding eligibility to be a Full Member and representation at meetings.
The organization shall operate in as many languages as resources allow. Initially, the INCD shall strive to operate equally in English, French and Spanish in the publication of documents and informational resources and, where necessary, in conducting Membership Meetings.
A) Fiscal Year: The fiscal year of the INCD shall be April 1 to March 31.
B) Membership Dues: To provide a financial base for the operation, members are asked to make an annual financial contribution, according to their ability.
Full Members: International/Regional Organizations US $ 150
National Coalitions 100
National Organizations 100
Local Organizations 50
Associate Members: 25
Observers: Organizations 150
Individuals 25
Members are invited to make a larger financial contribution if they are able. The Steering Committee is empowered to waive the requirement to pay membership dues upon application by any member that cannot afford the contribution.
C) The Steering Committee shall seek additional funding from governments, foundations, institutions, and sympathetic individuals and firms, to enable it to implement its work plan.
A) The highest governing body of the INCD is a Membership Meeting to be held at a time and place determined by the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee shall establish one meeting annually to be the Annual General Meeting and shall provide at least 60 days notice of the time and place for all Membership Meetings.
B) In its initial stage of development, the INCD will convene its Annual General Meeting in conjunction with its governmental counterpart, the International Network for Cultural Policy. The value of this relationship to the INCD is that it can advance its ideas through culture ministers who share a common approach.
C) Annual General Meeting: The functions of the Annual General Meeting include establishing the organizational objectives for the coming year, approving the annual report for the previous year, and electing a Steering Committee to serve in office until a new Steering Committee is elected at the next Annual General Meeting. All decisions shall require a majority vote of the members present at the meeting, except as otherwise provided in these By-laws. All Full Members at the meeting are entitled to vote as is any Associate Member serving as a member of the Steering Committee at the time of the vote.
D) The Steering Committee is empowered to organize any membership meeting in a specific physical location, as a virtual meeting that brings together the members by electronic means, or by any combination of appropriate modalities designed to ensure that the greatest number of members can participate actively in the decision-making process.
A) Function: The Steering Committee is the highest governing body of the INCD between Membership Meetings and the final authority on the interpretation of these By-laws. Its functions include directing the Secretariat, approving the annual budget and implementing a work plan to support the purpose and principles and achieve the objectives established by the members. The Steering Committee may elect from among its members any officers it requires.
B) Delegation of Authority: The Steering Committee may delegate any other member of the INCD to represent or speak on behalf of the organization at meetings or activities in which the INCD is involved. The Steering Committee may authorize a representative in any individual country or region, or may enter into an agreement with any other organization to authorize such organization to represent the interests of the INCD in a defined field or particular geographical area.
C) Election of the Steering Committee:
i) The Steering Committee is comprised of a minimum of eight and a maximum of 15 individuals, who are either representatives of a member organization of the INCD or Associate Members. The INCD will ensure a culturally diverse composition of the Committee, including regional, equity, disciplinary, ethnic, racial, gender, linguistic, and other considerations.
ii) The outgoing Steering Committee is responsible for recommending to the Annual General Meeting a slate of candidates for election to the Steering Committee. It may adopt such rules and processes necessary to achieve the election of a balanced and complete Steering Committee, providing it shall consider all nominations from Full Members received by it no later that 6:00 p.m. local time the day prior to and at the location of the Annual General Meeting.
iii) The slate of candidates recommended by the Steering Committee shall be put before the Annual General Meeting for ratification. Members at the meeting shall have an opportunity to propose an alternative to the slate or to otherwise amend the recommendation. Where any vote is required, a plurality of votes will determine the successful candidates.
iv) The Annual General Meeting may authorize the Steering Committee to select additional members where this is required for reasons of balance. The Steering Committee is also empowered to select a replacement for a member unable for any reason to complete the term of office, to serve the balance of that member’s term.
D) Meetings and Quorum: The Steering Committee may adopt its own rules and procedures subject to the provisions of these By-laws and any policy adopted by a Membership Meeting. The Committee shall meet as required and may do so either in person, by telephone or by any other means providing that all members of the Committee are given at least 14 days notice of the time and place of the meeting. The Committee may also make decisions in writing or electronically. A quorum for conducting business is one-half of the total membership of the Steering Committee, however, where no quorum is present, the Committee is empowered to make provisional decisions and obtain subsequent ratification from sufficient additional members in writing or electronically.
A) The Head Office of the INCD shall be in Ottawa, Canada. The Steering Committee may establish one or more additional offices as appropriate.
B) The work of the INCD is conducted by a Secretariat housed within the Canadian Conference of the Arts, a national arts service organization based in Ottawa whose Board of Governors fostered the INCD and remains committed to its principles and purpose. Where resources are sufficient, the INCD shall maintain the services of a professional staff, in such locations and on such terms as the Steering Committee in its sole discretion shall determine.
C) The INCD shall endeavour to have a Coordinator as the senior staff officer at all times. The Coordinator shall be responsible for administering the affairs of the INCD under the direction of the Steering Committee and Membership Meetings, including all other staff. The Coordinator shall be a member of the Steering Committee ex officio, with voice but no vote.
The By-laws of the INCD may be amended, repealed or added to by a majority vote of the Steering Committee and sanctioned by a two-thirds vote at any Membership Meeting, providing that notice of the proposed change is included with the notice of the meeting that will consider it. The Steering Committee shall consider all recommendations for amendment received from members.
Adopted by the Steering Committee - 21 September 2001
Confirmed by the Members - 23 September 2001