International Governance
Our Goals
Our founding goals remain as relevant today as they were in 1950:
- To further education in international understanding of children throughout the world, without the distinction of race, religion or politics, so that they may grow to maturity conscious of their responsibilities as human beings.
- To develop the individual child’s potential for co-operation with others.
- To carry out further research, contributing to this work.
Our Constitution
Our constitutional documents govern the operation of CISV International and safeguard our fundamental principles.
CISV’s International Membership
The Members of CISV International are our National Associations and Junior Branch.
The representatives of the CISV International Membership approve plans and accounts, and receive reports annually; this is done virtually. The Membership send representatives to an in-person meeting, held at the Global Conference, every three years.
Trustees/Directors
The Trustees of CISV International are the nine elected members of the Governing Board. The Governing Board upholds CISV International’s vision, mission, and values and ensures that they are reflected in the strategic direction of the organization. Three members of the Governing Board are elected by the Members of CISV International, the National Associations and Junior Branch. Every third year, one of those three Trustees is elected solely by the Junior Branch.
Individuals may be elected to the Governing Board for two consecutive terms. While every Trustee naturally brings the perspective of their Chapter, National Association, or region to the table, they do not represent those constituents. All Trustees represent all Members and are required to act in the best interests of CISV International.
Elections are managed by an Election Committee whose purpose is to promote a fair, open, informative, and constructive elections process
Governing Board Terms of Reference
Secretary General
The Secretary General is the chief executive officer of the organization and works very closely with the Governing Board. The Secretary General, with a small senior management team, is responsible for the running of CISV International. The Secretary General attends all meetings of the Governing Board, but is not entitled to vote.
CISV Member Associations
CISV Associations run our educational programmes and cooperate internationally through their membership of the umbrella organization of CISV International. Each association is legally registered, consistent with national law, and volunteer members manage the organization locally and nationally. National Associations are financially independent of CISV International, and are required to have annual audits and appropriate insurance cover. The vast majority of our associations operate without permanent or fixed offices, and only a very small number employ part-time administrative support staff.
International Junior Branch
The International Junior Branch is the youth-led arm of CISV International and leads and represents the interests of our local Junior Branch members. Our Junior Branch welcomes members aged 16-25 and offers young people an unrivalled opportunity to develop their personal and leadership development skills. Join Junior Branch.
CISV International Junior Representatives
There are two CISV International Junior Branch Representatives (IJRs), who are both full voting members of the Board of CISV International. The IJRs organize and lead the annual International Junior Branch Conference. At this Conference, CISV National Junior Branch Representatives elects one new IJR for a two year term.
CISV International Junior Branch Meetings
There is an annual International Junior Branch Conference for National Representatives and delegations from National Junior Branches.
There are also annual meetings in the three working regions of the CISV International Junior Branch:
- America’s Regional Members Meeting
- European Junior Branch Meeting
- Juniors Asia Pacific Region Conference.
CISV National Junior Branch Representatives
Each CISV National Association Junior Branch has two National Junior Branch Representatives, who in turn elect the International Junior Branch Representatives. The National Junior Branch Representatives are elected by their national Junior Branch membership. Nearly every one of our 200 plus, CISV Chapters has an active local Junior Branch.