The statutes define objectives, terms of reference,
membership, sessions, voting, quorum and the Bureau
of MOWCAP.
The most up-to-date statutes were amended and
approved in the
Second MOWCAP General Meeting held between
7 - 8 November 2005 in Manila, the Philippines.
The name of this Committee
shall be the Regional Memory of the World
Committee for Asia/Pacific, referred to
as MOWCAP in these statutes.
(2)
MOWCAP is a subsidiary
body of the International Advisory Committee
(IAC) of Memory of the World (MOW), created
in accordance with the General Guidelines
of the MOW Program.
Article 2: Objectives
MOWCAP's objectives
are to promote, facilitate and monitor
the MOW Program within the region, and
to represent the region at the international
level. Among other things, MOWCAP supports
and facilitates nominations and encourages
adequate representation of the region's
documentary heritage in the International
MOW Register. It also supports and complements
the work of the National MOW Committees.
It seeks to raise awareness of the Program
and of the documentary heritage in the
Asia-Pacific region.
Article 3: Terms of Reference
MOWCAP shall be responsible for the
following functions:
(i)
To increase awareness
of the importance of documentary heritage,
improve its accessibility and use
(ii)
To promote resource
sharing and optimal use of resources in
the region
(iii)
To mobilize political,
social and economic support for the MOW
Asia/Pacific Program
(iv)
To encourage cross country
linkages of valuable collections with
multi-country cultural significance
(v)
To encourage the establishment
of national MOW committees
(vi)
To maintain the Asia/Pacific
Regional register of MOW documentary heritage
(vii)
To discuss the selection
criteria and any other matters determined
by the IAC and make recommendations; and
(viii)
To mobilize resources
and support for MOW projects/activities
Article 4: Membership
(1)
MOWCAP shall be composed
of UNESCO National MOW Committees in member
states in the Asia/Pacific region, represented
by their appointed delegates
(2)
For the purposes of these
statutes, the definition of a National
MOW Committee includes sub-committees
of UNESCO National Commissions and sub-regional
or multi-national committees, provided
these operate consistently with the relevant
provisions of the MOW General Guidelines.
(3)
An obligation of membership
is the submission of an annual report
in terms established by the Bureau. The
right to vote at MOWCAP meetings is conditional
on the timely submission of these reports.
Article 5: Voting
(1)
Each National MOW Committee
shall have the right to exercise one vote
at MOWCAP Meetings.
(2)
In the case of a tie,
the Chair shall have a deciding vote.
Article 6: Session
(1)
MOWCAP shall meet in
general session once every two years.
It may meet in extraordinary session,
if it decides to do so, or if summoned
by the Bureau.
(2)
The Bureau shall draw
up the agenda for the meetings of MOWCAP
and shall circulate it to members at least
two months in advance of the meeting.
(3)
Meetings shall normally
be in-person gatherings at a specified
place but, if warranted by circumstances,
they may be conducted virtually by electronic
means.
Article 7: Quorum
(1)
If a simple majority of members are present
or represented at a meeting of MOWCAP
a quorum is established.
(2)
A member may assign its proxy to another
member in a form prescribed by the Bureau.
Article 8: Observers
The Chairperson, on the recommendation
of the Bureau, may invite or admit observers
at specified sessions of MOWCAP. Observers
shall not have the right to vote.
Article 9: The Bureau
(1)
MOWCAP shall elect a
Chairperson, one or more Vice-Chairpersons
(as need requires) and a Secretary General
to comprise its Bureau. The assigned UNESCO
Regional Advisor shall be an ex officio
member of the Bureau. If required the
Bureau may establish additional positions
and appoint Special Advisors whose continued
term in office shall be subject to confirmation
at the next MOWCAP meeting.
(2)
The term of office of
Bureau members shall normally be four
years – that is, twice the interval between
general meetings of MOWCAP. A new Bureau
shall be elected at every second general
meeting of MOWCAP.
(3)
The Bureau shall establish
its Rules of Procedure which shall be
submitted to MOWCAP for approval.
(4)
Bureau members, when
acting in that capacity, serve as individuals
representing the interests of the whole
membership of MOWCAP, and not as representatives
of a particular country or National MOW
Committee.
Article 10: Amendment
(1)
Amendments to the statutes
may be made at a general meeting of MOWCAP
if two thirds of the members present and
represented so decide.
(2)
Proposed amendments must be circulated
to all members in writing at least one
month in advance of the meeting where
they are to be presented for decision.
Article 11: Effectivity
These statutes take effect at the
conclusion of the Second MOWCAP meeting
(7-8 November 2005)
