True representative democracy offers a powerful instrument for addressing the vital social and political conditions that threaten our global future. Our vision of a democratic society is based on the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, ensuring the economic, social and cultural rights of all individuals. The informed wishes of the people, conveyed through the collective voice of a democratic assembly, need to be heard in the decision- making processes.

The Student World Assembly is a non-governmental, non¬partisan, nonprofit organization created to represent students globally. It provides a deliberative assembly where students around the world can exchange views, vote on global issues through online discussion forums and in annual international conventions, and translate these views into meaningful actions.

By giving students from the most remote to the most accessible institutions an equal voice, they can become global citizens. We are enabling all students to educate themselves and others, participate in dialogue and decision making, and take action to implement those decisions. top

ARTICLE I
Incorporation

Section 1. The name of this organization shall be “Student World Assembly.” In all forms of address, this organization shall be known as “Student World Assembly” or “SWA.”

Section 2. The purpose of this organization shall be to unite students around the world, provide an opportunity for them to engage in dialogues about global concerns, and determine peaceful actions for addressing these concerns.

Section 3. The official logo of the SWA is a circle of faces in alternating light blue and black. The logo was designed to be universal, multicultural, and represent the past and present. The edges and curves suggest Asian symbolism, and the design resembles African or Aboriginal motifs; and the circle represents the earth as seen from the moon. top

ARTICLE II
Structure of the Organization

Section 1. Board of Directors

A. The duties of the Board of Directors shall be to develop the strategic vision of the organization, oversee affairs of the SWA, vote on matters that come before the Board, and provide guidance and support to the Executive Director, whom they shall appoint.

B. Chair, officers, and members of the Board are legally responsible for SWA.

C. Chair, officers, and members of the Board shall be elected or removed at any time by a majority vote of existing members.

D. Only the Board of Directors may initiate a proposed amendment to the Constitution. Amendments must be approved by a majority vote.

E. The Board of Directors may not alter the Bylaws of this constitution.

Section 2. Board of Advisors

A. The Board of Advisors helps to increase SWA’s visibility, prestige, influence and reach. The Board provides advice and suggestions to the Board of Directors and Executive Director concerning strategic direction, mission, goals, and objectives of SWA. Members do not have any voting powers or managerial duties. Members are recruited based on their international experience, outstanding positions and interest in helping.

B. Advisors shall be appointed or removed at any time by a majority of the Board of Directors.

Section 3. International Staff:

A. Executive Director: Oversees staff and day-to-day operations of the Student World Assembly, reports to the Board of Directors, and acts as an ex-officio member of the Board of Directors.

B. Advisors: The Executive Director will appoint advisors to SWA on an as-needed basis.

C. Staff: The all-student staff consists of paid and volunteer SWA members, reporting to the Executive Director. In addition, they act as liaisons to the various student-run International Committees described in the Bylaws.

Section 4. International Officers

A. Assembly Speakers: Assembly Speaker and Vice-Speaker are students elected by a global online voting system by student members for a term of one year and report to the Executive Director.

B. Committee Chairs: Student delegates are elected by student members of each committee. All chairs of the International Committees will report to the Assembly Speaker and Vice Speaker to carry out the business of the Student World Assembly. Each Committee shall set guidelines for self-governance as described in the Bylaws.

C. International officers are elected for a one-year term. Officers may not be re-elected for consecutive terms. top

ARTICLE III
Membership

Section 1. General Membership shall be open to any full time or part time post-secondary student. Membership will continue after graduation.

Section 2. Only the General Membership, exclusive of student staff, is permitted to participate in the proposing, deliberating and/or voting processes of SWA.

Section 3. Provisional Membership shall be open to any student who is a high school junior or senior. These members are permitted to engage in all activities; however, they do not have voting power.

Section 4. Honorary Membership shall be open to donors, faculty, experts, advisors, and other interested parties. These members are permitted to engage in all activities; however, they do not have voting power. top

ARTICLE IV
Voting and Participation

Section 1. Voting

A. Only the General Membership is empowered to decide which issues are to be addressed at the annual International Convention.

B. Only the General Membership is empowered to elect the International Officers.

C. Members who are unable to attend the annual International Convention may do a proxy assignment of their votes to the attending members/delegates.

D. Proxy votes may only be used when voting for or against Resolutions.

Section 2.The Student World Assembly is composed of:

A. International: SWA International directs all international events and activities.

B. Regional Centers: A minimum of three chapters may form a regional unit, upon certification by SWA International. The Region directs regional events and activities.

C. Local Chapters: A minimum of three students from a school may form a local Chapter which must be certified by the school and recognized by SWA International.

Section 3. International Convention

A. Each year a different college or university shall be chosen to host the Convention. Chapters may propose Convention sites to the appropriate committee for approval. The SWA staff shall coordinate the Annual International Convention. All student attendees are delegates forming the Assembly of the International Convention.

B. The Assembly deliberates all issues selected for the International Convention, and a resolution for action is formulated and must be ratified by the Assembly.

C. At the Assembly, each delegate may or may not join a committee. There is a one year commitment for committee members. top

ARTICLE V
Removal & Succession of Officers

Section 1. In the event that a minimum of 20% of the General Membership feels it necessary to remove either the Assembly Speaker or Vice Speaker, the matter is put to a vote. If a majority of the General Membership votes for removal, the motion is carried.

Section 2. The Assembly Speaker or Vice Speaker or Committee members may request a vote of confidence for Committee Chairs. A majority vote of the Committee members is necessary to remove a Committee Chair.

Section 3. If a vacancy occurs for the Assembly Speaker position, the Vice Speaker will assume that title. The new Vice Speaker will be elected by the General Membership.

Section 4. If a vacancy occurs for an International Committee Chair, Committee members will select a new chair. top

The following Bylaws were adopted by the International Committees (Issues and Campaigns, Convention and Events Planning, and Membership and Outreach) to stipulate the conditions for self- governance and SWA affairs:

The Issues and Campaign Committee: Responsible for establishing guidelines and procedures for presenting, discussing, researching and approving the issues presented, and selected by the General Membership. This Committee is also responsible for establishing guidelines and procedures for elections and proxy voting.

Section 1. Pressing Global Issues top

A. Pressing Global Issues (PGI) are proposed by Chapters for discussion by the General Membership online for the duration of a month. The proposals must be submitted by the 15th of the previous month.

B. The following items need to be submitted by a Chapter for the Committee to review:
a. An Issue Title.
b. A five hundred-word statement analyzing and explaining why the membership should discuss this issue.
c. Five sub-questions directly relating to the Issue.
d. Five online sources (e.g., news articles, journal articles, etc.) with no more than two coming from the same source.

Section 2. International Convention Issues top

A. The issue or issues are identified by the General Membership in an online voting process leading up to the International Convention

B. In order for an issue to be considered, a minimum of 10% of the membership of the proposing country must participate in the selection process.

C. Two issues per academic year must be selected for deliberation at the annual International Convention.

D. No SWA Chapter is allowed to endorse any issue or entity for reasons of self interest.

E. Any type of affiliation must be approved by the Issues Committee.

Membership and Outreach Committee: Responsible for establishing guidelines and procedures for recruiting, registering and supporting the general membership. This committee is also responsible for addressing legal issues, outreach to the mass media, and promoting the mission of SWA.

A. This Committee sets guidelines for Chapters, outlining the activities in which they may participate.

B. This Committee reviews all annual reports from Chapters.

Convention and Event Planning Committee: Responsible for establishing guidelines and procedures for events. This Committee may approve or reject proposed sites, guest speakers and agenda for the Annual Convention. top

Section 1. The Convention and Events Committee will examine each proposal submitted by the Chapters utilizing the following criteria:

A. Chapters submitting proposals must have at least 7 members.

B. Chapters submitting proposals must have held a regional event and submit verification to the Convention Committee to demonstrate capacity and support.

C. Chapters must submit written college/university endorsement as well as a description of the support to be provided by the university. Chapters are encouraged to explore local support, and if possible, sponsorship. top

Section 2. After review, the Committee will formally recommend a site to the Assembly Speaker and Vice-Speaker who will then submit their recommendation to the Executive Director for final approval.top