Governance
In keeping with the AAAS Science and Human Rights Coalition’s commitment to the principles of inclusivity, participation, decentralization, and transparency, it is structured as follows:
(Further information about the structure of the Coalition can be found in the Foundational Documents.)
Coalition
The Coalition is made up of all interested eligible scientific organizations, and includes member associations, affiliated associations, and affiliated scientists.
Coalition Council
The Council is composed of member associations’ two official and active representatives. The Council is the Coalition’s highest policy-making and priority-setting body. It sets the direction of the Coalition, reviews recommendations from working groups, considers new initiatives, and reviews requests for new working groups.
Steering Committee
The Steering Committee ensures implementation of decisions taken by the Coalition Council; provides guidance to the working groups; and serves as the liaison between AAAS, the Coalition, scientific associations, and the human rights community. Only representatives of member organizations (not affiliated organizations or individual scientists) can be on the Steering Committee. Current members of the Steering Committee are:
- Rob Albro (American Anthropological Association)
- Clinton Anderson (American Psychological Association)
- Susan Hinkins (American Statistical Association)
- Douglas Richardson (Association of American Geographers)
- Paula Skedsvold (Federation of Associations in Behavioral & Brain Sciences)
- Jessica Wyndham (AAAS Science and Human Rights Program)
Working Groups
These are composed of interested members and affiliated organizations and scientists, and are focused on specific areas of activity. Working groups can be formed when two members express readiness to take the lead on an area of activity, and they (1) see no possibility of carrying out the proposed activity within an existing working group, and (2) develop a concept paper that (3) is approved by the Coalition Council. Because working groups involve additional work and require Coalition resources, new areas of activity will only be pursued when: it has been determined that there is a clear need; they are not duplicative of other Coalition efforts; and they cannot be carried out within pre-existing working groups.
Secretariat
The AAAS Science and Human Rights Program serves as the Secretariat and supports the Coalition through the facilitation and coordination of its activities; organization of meetings; maintenance of a repository for Coalition documents and materials; facilitation of links with the human rights community; coordination of the listserv; recruitment of qualified interns; and fundraising.
(page updated
09/24/2009)
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