PREÁMBULO

[ este preámbulo fue formulado y adoptado en el congreso del
estudiante del mundo
el martes, de agosto el 27 de 1946 que creó el IUS.
Ha permanecido desde entonces unamended, pues expresa la
original 
de los miembros fundadores. ]

• recolectado en Praga en agosto de 1946 en el congreso del estudiante del mundo llamó por el comité preparatorio internacional elegido por la conferencia internacional del estudiante de Londres de noviembre de 1945,

• consciente de la significación histórica de esta era en la cual la carta de los Naciones Unidas se está estableciendo y en cuál se están esforzando todos los trabajadores y gente joven en el servicio del humankind hacia los fundamentales del adelanto social y económico,

• fiel al ejemplo del mejor de nuestros miembros que murieron en la lucha de la gente democrática para su libertad,

• para construir otra vez un mundo mejor deseoso de libertad, de paz y de progreso y tomar ese lugar en la vanguardia de la juventud del mundo que hemos sostenido tan a menudo antes en el curso de la historia:

La unión internacional de estudiantes considera la unidad de todas las fuerzas democráticas que trabajen para el progreso y basen sus actividades en los principios de los Naciones Unidas para ser una condición imprescindible para la realización de una paz justa y duradera y de la igualdad de toda la gente.

El propósito de la unión internacional de estudiantes, que se funda sobre las organizaciones representativas del estudiante de diversos países, será defender las derechas y los intereses de estudiantes de promover la mejora en su bienestar y estándar de la educación y de prepararlos para sus tareas como ciudadanos democráticos.

SECCIÓN I

NOMBRE

la UNIÓN INTERNACIONAL DE ESTUDIANTES

SECCIÓN II

JEFATURAS

SECCIÓN III

PUNTERÍAS

1. El logro de la educación para todos, a través del establecimiento universal de la educación primaria y secundaria obligatoria libre; la derecha a la igualdad de acceso a la educación terciaria y de la universidad, sin importar la convicción política, la religión, la orientación sexual del sexo del color o de la raza, circunstancias económicas, la situación social, o cualquier inhabilidad una puede tener; la derecha a presupuestos adecuados de la educación y a un sistema extenso de las becas del estado y de los subsidios familiares; la disposición de los materiales del estudio básico gratuitamente; recursos para el mantenimiento de la salud y de el resto de los medios de mejorar las condiciones vivas de estudiantes así como de permitirles beneficiar completamente de logros culturales y enriquecer completamente sus personalidades, para hacer " educación una derecha, no un privilegio ".

2. La puesta en práctica de la reforma y de la democratización de la educación, del logro de la autonomía académica de la libertad y de la universidad, del respecto por intereses del estudiante y la defensa de las sus derechas, especialmente de la derecha de los estudiantes de ordenarse, y de la derecha de participar en todos los procedimientos de toma de decisión relacionados.

3. El desarrollo de la educación y de la ciencia en la dirección de satisfacer las aspiraciones y las necesidades de la gente en sus sociedades respectivas. La promoción y la puesta en práctica dentro de la escuela y de las comunidades académicas de los principios y de los objetivos de la educación para la paz y la amistad.

4. La expresión de la solidaridad internacional eficaz y de la participación de los estudiantes que son parte y paquete de su gente en esforzarse para la libertad y progreso nacional de la independencia, económico y social, democracia, igualdad, derechos humanos, soberanía nacional y autodeterminación, para la paz y la seguridad, y contra imperialismo, colonialismo y neo-colonialismo, dictadura, totalitarianism, fascismo, fundamentalismo religioso, y todas las formas de discriminación, en la discriminación racial determinada.

5. La movilización de estudiantes en los esfuerzos globales ejercidos para la paz y el desarme, para la prevención de la guerra nuclear, la eliminación de nuclear u otra. **time-out** arma total aniquilación y disolución militar bloque, para puesta en práctica principio cooperación, bueno amistoso relación entre estado, uno universal sistema internacional seguridad basar en mutuo respecto y igualdad, non-interference en interno asunto otro estado y solución todo problema entre estado por político medio y no por amenaza para utilizar fuerza, o por uso fuerza. *** TRANSLATION ENDS HERE ***

6. The contribution to the struggle for finding solutions to acute economic problems hindering development of whole nations, and for the implementation of principles for a just world system of equal economic relations and security among states; the finding of solutions to urgent global problems that humanity faces, through its joint efforts particularly the problems of the environment, sustainable development, poverty, overpopulation, drug abuse health, etc., and the establishment of a just world information, cultural and communication order.

7. The promotion and defence of national culture, appreciation of the cultures of all peoples, humanistic values and traditions.

8. The achievement of equal possibilities for women to participate fully in all aspects of life of their respective societies which require positive actions on all levels.

9. The achievement of the unity of the student movement in each country at all levels.

10. Friendship, mutual understanding and cooperation among all students of the world and the unity of the world student community.

11. The active participation in the activities of the world youth movement, contribution to the development of cooperation and dialogue among its ranks, and to its unity of action.

SECTION IV

ACTIVITIES

1. International, regional, subregional and national student meetings, both general and specialized, and any action deemed necessary for the realization of the policies and programmes which may be decided upon at such meetings. Work for the broadest possible student participation in these actions and elaboration of such decisions that provide for an effective and broadest unity of action of the international student movement, irrespective of the political, ideological, social, religious, cultural or ethnic background.

2. The support and encouragement of contributions by students and their organizations towards the establishment of better international understanding, the preservation of peace, the promotion of disarmament, international solidarity, democratic education, equality, academic freedom and student rights, and the contribution to the struggle for development and the solution of global problems,

3. All possible assistance to students and the promotion of international solidarity activities in support of their struggle for democracy, freedom, human rights, self-determination, national sovereignty and independence.

4. The organization of relief work and, to this end, the extension of material and financial aid to students and their organizations which are in need of it. This is to be undertaken by the creation of special funds and the institution of national and international campaigns. In its relief work, the IUS should cooperate with the appropriate bodies.

5. International campaigns in support of the struggles of students for the reform and democratization of educa tion in defence of their rights and interests, and the promotion of academic mobility, rendered through political, moral and material support.

6. The collection of information concerning student problems and its dissemination throughout the world.

7. The maintenance and strengthening of the channels of communication with the United Nations system, and in particular with UNESCO; the development of close relations with other international organizations on matters of common interest to students.

8. The presentation of student problems before international organizations.

9. Development of close contacts with international and regional democratic organizations on issues of common interest. The laying of special emphasis on issues of cooperation with regional and international student structures, as well as with youth, academic, scientific and other social movements and groupings.

10. The promotion of all forms of practical cooperation among students and their organizations on a faculty basis.

11. The encouragement of student cultural activities.

12. Various forms of student tourism, travel and exchange.

13. The organization or support of student sport activities.

14. International student correspondence.

15. The publication of official periodicals of the IUS in as many of the main world languages as is demanded by their circulation.

16. The formation of specialized bodies or agencies of the IUS in order to facilitate activities in specialized fields of student interest.

17. All other activities that may be necessary for furthering the aims of the IUS.

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    SECTION V

    METHODOLOGY OF WORK

    In fulfilling the above aims and activities, the following principles of organization and methodology of work shall be observed:
    1. The IUS shall facilitate its member and friendly unions to achieve within its ranks sufficient levels of:
       • exchange of information;

       • debate on specific issues;

       • coordination agreement on and promotion of joint and/or parallel actions of a political, syndical (trade union-like) and/or other nature;

    2. In the achievement of the above, the strictly non-partisan, democratic multi-tendency nature and pluralistic set-up of the organization shall be taken into account, by facilitating dialogue, tolerance and respect for each others opinions, and by trying to achieve consensus.

    3. The IUS shall seek methods of directly involving the member unions in decision-making processes; this shall be done by participation directly in the governing bodies and by creating mechanisms of direct involvement of member unions and coordination in the elected executive and advisory bodies.

    4. The IUS shall work to fulfil its aims and activities in relation to the student movement of a particular country by primarily taking into consideration the specific realities in which it functions.

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    SECTION VI

    MEMBERS OF THE IUS, THEIR RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS

    MEMBERSHIP

    I. THE BASIC MEMBERSHIP UNIT

    The basic membership unit of the IUS shall be the National Union of Students (NUS). National unions are regarded as those student organizations which, as broad structures, provide a balanced representation for students in or from a given country ( or territory ) , truly representing their interests and rights:

    1. which are controlled and run by students, and in which all members of all governing bodies are democratically elected by the members of the organization;

    2. which, in their decision-making, function autonomously and independently of state authorities or other non-student forces;

    3. which are open to all students in or from the country concerned, without regard to their political conviction, religion, colour or race, sex, sexual orientation, economic circumstances, any disability they may have, their field or place of study, or their social standing;

    4. which represent the majority of students in or from the country concerned, organized on the basis of the three principles outlined above, and are the only such structures in or from the country concerned.

    II. CATEGORIES OF MEMHERSHIP

    Categories of membership in the IUS shall be:

    • Full members

    • Associate members

    • Members with consultative status

    FULL MEMBERS

    Full members of the IUS shall be all those organizations fulfilling all the criteria set above for NUSes.
    Full members of the IUS shall also be exceptionally the following organizations fulfilling most of the basic criteria set above for NUSes as follows:

    1. Organisations which fulfil all the criteria set for NUSes, except that of "representing the majority of students in or from the country";

    2. National Youth Organizations (NYOs) which represent, within their ranks, students in or from a country, organized in an autonomous student section of the organization - provided no NUS exists within the country concerned and that these NYOs fulfil all the other criteria set for NUSes, with the possible exception of "representing the majority of students in or from the country";

    3. National Student Organizations (NSOs) which organize students from one country who are in exile abroad - provided they fulfil all the criteria set for NUSes with the possible exception of "representing the majority of students in or from the country" ;

    4. National Student Representations (NSRs), which bring together two or more NSOs in or from a country (or two or more complementary regional, territorial, faculty or university student structures) - provided that together they fulfil all the criteria set for NUSes, with the possible exception of "representing the majority of students in or from the country". If only one union from a country or territory with such a reality applies for membership it may be affiliated under this category of membership only if the IUS Congress agrees to this by a 2/3 majority vote.

    5. Any other cases accepted by a 2/3 majority vote at the IUS Congress.

    RIGHTS OF FULL MEMBERS

    Every organization which is a full member of the IUS has the right:

    1. To receive delegate status at IUS Congresses.

    2. To participate in all proceedings of IUS Congresses.

    3. To submit suggestions and motions for discussion to IUS Congresses and executive bodies.

    4. To elect and be elected to the executive bodies of the IUS.

    5. To participate in meetings of any of the governing, executive and advisory bodies in which it is not represented, whenever questions which concern it directly are being discussed or decided upon.

    6. To seek the assistance of the IUS for the execution of any particular activity or project which it may undertake.

    7. To employ in its title the status of membership and to use the emblem of the IUS.

    8. To disaffiliate and/or temporarily suspend its membership.

    OBLIGATIONS OF FULL MEMBERS

    Every organization which is a full member of the IUS shall accept the following obligations:

    1. To accept the IUS Constitution and to actively contribute to the implementation of its aims and principles.

    2. To contribute to the implementation of decisions of IUS governing and executive bodies, so far as these are in accordance with their constitutions and policies.

    3. To pay their membership fees and other dues as are required by the decisions of the IUS Congresses.

    ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

    Associate members shall be admitted. Such members shall be student organizations which are eligible for full membership in the IUS and have their respective rights, but which, within the limitations of their own constitutions, accept limited obligations and in return receive certain rights of associate membership. These obligations and rights shall be determined by agreement between the IUS Constitutional Committee on the one hand, and the organization concerned on the other, and must be ratified by the following IUS Congress.

    MEMBERS WITH CONSULTATIVE STATUS

    Members with Consultative Status shall be:

    1. Organizations which qualify for full or associate membership but which desire to have only working relations with the IUS may apply for consultative status with the IUS. Such organizations may take part in IUS Congresses without voting rights, seek the assistance of the IUS and participate in activities of the IUS.

    2. Organizations which do not qualify for full or associate membership but which desire to have only working relations with the IUS may apply for consultative status with the IUS. Such organizations may take part in IUS Congresses without voting rights, seek the assistance and participate in activities of the IU5. These shall be:
       1. NSOs, or NYOs with an autonomous student section, which do not meet the criteria set out above for full membership (provided they are fully democratic, independent and autonomous in their decision-making). If there is a union from the country or territory concerned which already has full or associate member status, it may lodge an objection to the affiliation of an NS0, or NYD from the same country or territory. Following uch an objection, the NS0, or NYO concerned shall require a 2/3 majority vote at the IUS Congress to be accepted for IUS membership.

       2. Student organizations which represent a particular national or ethnic minority or community. If there is a union from the country or territory concerned which already has full or associate member status, it may lodge an objection to the affiliation of such a student organization from the same country or territory. Following such an objection, this student organization shall requite a 2/3 majority vote at the IUS Congress to be accepted for IUS membership.

       3. Local, university or national faculty student unions from a country where no natiunal organization exists and until such an organization is established.

       4. Student organizations of a specific character:
          religious, cultural, sport, relief, press, exchange, travel or women's organizations. If there is a union from the country or territory concerned which already has full or associate member status, it may lodge an objection to the affiliation of the above organization. Following such an objection, this student organization shall require a 2/3 majority vote at the IUS Congress to be accepted for IUS membership.

       5. Organizations of students from a particular country studying abroad. If there is a union from the country or territory concerned which already has full or associate member status, it may lodge an objection to the affiliation of the above organization. Following such an objection, this student organization shall require a 2/3 majority vote at the IUS Congress to be accepted for IUS membership.

       6. Organizations of students from abroad studying in a particular country. If there is a union from the host country concerned which already has full or associate member status, it may lodge an objection to the affiliation of the above organization. Following such an objection, this student organization shall require a 2/3 majority vote at the IUS Congress to be accepted for IUS membership.

    3. National school-student unions (NSSUs) may apply for consultative status with the IUS. Such organizations shall be entitled to participate in specialized activities of the IUS on issues related to secondary-school education. NSSU members of the IUS specialized body representing Secondary-School Students (SESS) shall automatically receive membership with consultative status in the IU5. They may also take part in the IUS Congresses without voting rights, seek the assistance and participate in other activities of the IUS.

    4. The IUS Congress shall consider any other appropriate cases for affiliation in this category of membership by a 2/3 majority vote.

    5. Consultative status does not require full acceptance of the IUS Constitution, but only of certain working relations connected with the activities of the IUS.

    ADMISSION AND DISAFFILIATION

    1. Student organizations applying through the Executive Secretariat for membership may be accepted by decision of the Council, subject to ratification by the next Congress of the IUS. The Council shall keep in its decision-making the special voting majorities outlined above. Such decisions shall be taken on the basis of recommendations made by the IUS Constitutional Committee as detailed in the by-law "on membership and its review".

    2. Member organizations of the IUS intending to disaffiliate must inform the Council through the Executive Secretariat of their decision. Such organizations may present to the following IUS Congress the reasons for their disaffiliation.

    3. Admission to the IUS does not run against the affiliation to other organizations.

    REVIEW OF THE IUS MEMHERSHIP

    The IUS membership shall be reviewed at IUS Congress and Council sessions, on the basis of recommendations to be prepared by the IUS Constitutional Committee. The Constitutional Committee shall be guided in its work by the by-law "on membership and its review".

    In reviewing the IUS membership the IUS Constitutional Committee, with the aim of protecting the identity and principles of the IUS and defending the democratic principles of association of students, may recommend: that notice be taken of any change in the name of a member union; that a change be made to the category of membership of a member union; that certain Constitutional rights of a member union be suspended; that a union' s membership of the IUS be frozen for a certain period; that a union's membership of the IUS be terminated. The recommendation to terminate a union' s membership of the IUS shall require a 2/3 majority of votes cast at the IUS Congress.

    The Council meetings of the IUS in adopting such a review shall require a 2/3 majority vote. Such decisions have to be ratified by the next Congress of the IUS.

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    SECTION VII

    GOVERNING, EXECUTIVE AHD ADVISORY BODIES OF THE IUS

    The highest governing body of the IUS shall be the Congress (hereafter referred to as the IUS Congress).

    The executive bodies shall be the Council and the Executive Secretariat.

    The advisory bodies and platforms of the IUS shall be the Constitutional Committee ( CC ) , the Auditing Committee (AC), the Regional Consultative Platforms (RCPs) and the Thematic Platforms (Tps).

    In exercising their functions, the governing executive and advisory bodies shall:

    • follow as their sole guide the principles and aims of this Constitution and the interests of the students of the world.

    • act in the spirit of mutual respect and equality among different student organizations of the world and strive to reflect the views of member organizations of the IUS.

    • respect the independence, sovereignty, organizational integrity and autonomy of the member organizations of the IUS.

    The inter-relationship between these three levels of structural organization in the IUS shall be determined as follows:
    • the IUS Congress, as the higher governing body of the IUS to which all memberunions participate directly, shall be entitled on the basis of this constitution to make any decisions concerning the union;

    • between two Congresses the decision-making powers of the Conqress (save where this is clearly proscribed in this Constitution) shall be passed to the Council;

    • between two sessions of the Council, the Executive Secretariat shall execute and follow up the decisions taken by the IUS Congress and Council, and coordinate with the CC and AC the smooth running of the IUS;

    • the Regional Consultative and Thematic Platforms shall function as advisory platforms assisting the governing and executive bodies of the IUS by referring to them detailed policies elaborated through the direct participation or representation of the member unions;

    • the Constitutional Committee and Auditing Committee as advisory bodies shall fulfil their mandates as determined in the relevant part of the IUS Constitution;

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    SUB-SECTlON I

    THE IUS CONGRESS

    1. The Congress has the authority to:
       1. Amend the Constitution, standing orders and by-laws;

       2. Review the work of the IUS since the last Congress:
          • Discuss the report on the work of the Council and the Executive Secretariat;

          • Discuss the report from the Constitutional Committee;

          • Review the IUS membership;

          • Discuss the report from the Auditing Committee;

          • Discuss the reports from the IUS Specialized Structures

       3. Work out the policy and programme of the IUS:
          • Adopt resolutions on the IUS policy and programme;

          • Set up IUS representative offices in different parts of the world (in accordance with the by-law "on IUS representative offices");

          • Create specialized structures to assist the implementation of the policy of the IUS;

          • Affiliate the IUS to other organizations;

          • Approve new affiliat.ions to the IUS;

          • Approve the budget and fix the scales and dates of payment of membership fees and other dues;

          • Elect members of the Council, the Executive Secretariat, the Constitutional Committee and the Auditing Committee;

    2. The Congress shall be composed of delegates from all IUS member unions. Member unions from the full or associate membership categories from one country shall have one vote. Observers and guests may also be invited to attend the Congress;

    3. The Congress shall meet at least once in four years; the Executive Secretariat in consultation with the Council members shall inform all member organizations of the proposed agenda, date and place of the Congress not later than three months before the meeting of the Congress. The Executive Secretariat should work towards providing the maximum possible flow of related information to and between the member unions.

    4. Extraordinary Congresses may be convened at the request of not less than 1/3 of the total number of full and associate member organizations of the IUS.

    5. The IUS Congress shall be conducted in accordance with the "lUS Standing Orders" to be adopted at the start of each IUS Congress.

    6. All decisions of Congress shall be taken by vote. All such decisions, except when otherwise stated, shall require a majority of 50 per cent +1 of the full or associate member unions present.

    7. The quorum shall consist of delegations of 2/3 of the total number of full and associate member organizations of the IUS. If the Congress is inquorate at the time fixed for its opening, it shall be postponed for 24 hours. The Congress shall then be considered quorate if 50 per cent +1 of the total number of full and associate member organizations of the IUS are present. If this is not attained a new Congress should be held within six months.

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    SUB-SECTION II

    THE COUNCIL

    1. Between Congresses, the Council shall assume the powers of the IUS Congress, except those powers exclusively reserved for the IUS Congress in the Constitution.

    2. The Council shall function in ways similar to the IUS Congress (as determined in Sub-Section I of this Constitution).

    3. The Council shall meet once a year. Observers and guests may also be invited to attend the Council sessions.

    4. Two-thirds of the members of the Council shall constitute its quorum. If the Council is inquorate at the time fixed for its opening, it shall be postponed for 24 hours. The Council shall then be considered quorate if 50 per cent + 1 of the total number of full and associate member organizations of the Council are present.

    5. The Council shall be empowered to work out the plan of work of the IUS, for the period till its next session.

    6. The members of the IUS Council and its election by the Congress shall be determined in accordance with the by-law "on election rules and procedures".

    7. The IUS Council shall be composed of the members of the IUS Executive Secretariat, the members of the IUS Constitutional Committee, and the representations (or respective chair-organizations) of Regional Consultative and Thematic Platforms (as determined in the by-law "on the IUS Regional Consultative and Thematic Platforms").

    8. The Council shall also have the power to "affiliate the IUS to other organizations" or to "set up IUS representative offices in di£ferent parts of the world" by a 2/3 majority of votes cast.

    9. All decisions of the Council shall be taken by vote. All such decisions, except where otherwise stated, shall require a majority of 50 per cent +1 majority of the full or associate member unions present. Council decisions may be taken by referendum among Council members. The by-law on "referendums" shall further detail this.

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    SUB-SECTION III

    THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARIAT

    1. The Executive Secretariat shall execute and follow up the policies, decisions and projects adopted by the IUS Congress and Council. The by-law "on the role of the IUS Executive Secretariat" shall further determine its functioning.

    2. The activities of the Executive Secretariat and its divisions shall be supervised by the Council, and the Executive Secretariat shall submit regular reports on its work to the Council.

    3. The IUS Executive Secretariat shall be entrusted with the running of the IUS headquarters, the supervision of the work of the specialized bodies, the administration of IUS finances and property, keeping the IUS archives and documents, the coordination of work with IUS representative offices.

    4. The IUS Executive Secretariat, its election by the IUS Congress and the procedures for replacement/re-election of its members by the Council shall be determined in accordance with the by-law "on election rules and procedures" .
       This shall be composed of the President, Secretary General, Treasurer, five Regional Secretaries and five Secretaries covering specific divisions of work (education; student rights and academic freedom; information, communications and publicity; contacts with international bodies and organizations; women's equality and rights). The IUS Executive Secretariat shall act from the IUS headquarters unless it is decided by the IUS Congress (or the IUS Council by a 50 per cent +1 vote of its members) to situate some of its members in IUS Representative Offices due to budgetary or other functional considerations; in such cases the minimum representation remaining based at the IUS headquarters shall be the President, Secretary General, Treasurer.
       The elected member unions shall appoint their representatives as determined in the by-law "on election rules and procedures". The members of the IUS Executive Secretariat have the obligation to carry out the mandates vested in them by the IUS Congress and Council. They shall not implement or refer to their national mandate in the work of the IUS Executive Secretariat.

    5. Between Congresses, the IUS Executive Secretariat shall represent the Union in dealing with any third party. Before any legal bodies or authorities the IUS shall be represented by the President, Secretary General, and Treasurer. The combined signature of any two of the above persons shall bind the union. In carrying out official duties or functions assigned to them by the union, the members of the Executive Secretariat shall be indemnified.

    6. The IUS Exécutive Secretariat shall adopt its own internal regulations determining ist working methods; these shall be submitted at the next Council meeting for ratification.

    7. The mandate to an outgoing Executive Secretariat shall be extended for a period of up to three months after the holding of the IUS Congress. During this period, the outgoing and newly elected Secretariats shall arrange the hand-over of all IUS property and materials on the basis of a jointly signed protocol, and prepare a smooth