The World Conservation Union is a membership organization. The Union has a membership of more than 1,000 organizations, as well as 10,000 individual scientists and experts structured in six Commissions. The priorities and work of the Union are set by members every four years and subsequently coordinated by a professional secretariat with 1,000 staff in 62 countries.
Members
The Union has 1,000 member organizations including 82 States, 111 government agencies, more than 800 non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Members meet every four years at the World Conservation Congress (the Union’s General Assembly) to express their views, guide the Union’s policy and approve its programme. The last Congress was held in Bangkok, Thailand in November 2004.
Committees
Members within a country or region often organize themselves into National and Regional Committees to facilitate cooperation and help coordinate the Union’s work.
Commissions
The six Commissions, networks of volunteer scientists and experts, are principal sources of guidance on conservation knowledge, policy and technical advice, and implement parts of the Union’s work programme. The priorities and work of the Commissions are also set every four years at the World Conservation Congress.
The Commissions are:
Council
Members of the Union elect the 32-member Council every four years at the World Conservation Congress. Along with a President, Treasurer and three representatives from each of the Union’s eight regions, the Council also includes the Chairs of the six Commissions. The Council functions in a similar way to a Board of Directors, meeting once or twice a year to direct Union policy, approve finances and decide on strategy. The Council may appoint up to six additional Councillors.
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