NIGD is a transnationally operating public association, registered in accordance with the Finnish law.

The founding members are Reino Hjerppe, Veli-Pekka Niitamo, Heikki Patomäki, Katarina Sehm, Vappu Taipale, Riku Warjovaara and Matti Wuori.

1
The name of the association is Network Institute for Global Democratization, NIGD, Verkostoinstituutti maaailmanlaajuisen demokratisaation tukemiseksi ry. The association’s domicile is Helsinki, Finland.

2
The aim of the association is to contribute to worldwide democratization. Democracy is understood to mean maximally equal rights and practical possibilities to participate both in making decisions, which affect one’s self, and in struggles over the correct way of organising common issues. Another part of democracy is that everybody has the right to participate in defining the public and political issues, upon which decisions are made democratically. Democracy is an ideal, and a process, but not a completed model; therefore, democratization may, in practice, touch any part of societal life.

The association sees a prerequisite for a genuine representative democracy as being a vivid participatory democracy. To realise its aim, the association will create a transnational network of researchers and practitioners who strive to promote democratization and will also support the UN’s work for democratization. The association arranges seminars and research projects that have practical effects of supporting democratic emancipation. It also strives to participate in public debates and in the formation of local, national and global political agendas.

3
Any person, regardless of nationality, who accepts the aims and code of conduct of the association can join as an ordinary member. Any organisation that is a legal person may join as a supportive member. In both cases, membership is subject to approval by the Board. Only an ordinary member can vote in the association's meetings. Members can resign from the association in writing to the board, or to its chairman, or at a meeting with mention thereof in the minutes. The annual membership fee is 17 EUR.

4
The association is run by its Board, which constitutes of 4-7 full members. The Board elects amongst themselves a Chairperson, Secretary, Financial officer and other required personnel. No one person can be Chairperson for two consequent periods. No one member can be on the Board for more than five consecutive periods (principle of rotation). The running period is the period between annual meetings. The Board assembles following an invitation of the Chairperson, or in case he/she is hindered, his/her deputy, whenever they see reason to meet, or when a minimum of one third (1/3) of the members of the Board see reason to meet. The Board has quorum when the majority of its members are present. In the absence of consensus, matters are decided by a simple majority vote. In the case the votes are equal, the Chairperson decides the outcome; however, in elections, casting lots will decide equal votes.

5
The Chairperson, Secretary, and the Co-ordinator are the only persons with the right to sign in the name of the association.

6
The accounting period of the association is one calendar year. Closing of the books, with all the required attachments, has to be delivered to the auditors at least three weeks before the Annual Meeting. The auditors have to give a written report at least two weeks prior to the Annual Meeting.

7
The Board issues invitations to the meetings of the association. A written invitation is sent to each member at least seven days before the meeting.

8
An Annual Meeting of the association will be held every year in January-February, the Board will determine the exact date. A special meeting will be held when either a meeting of the Board so decides, or when at least one tenth (1/10) of the ordinary members of the association request it to address a specific issue to the Board. In a meeting every ordinary member has one (1) vote. The majority of votes will determine the opinion of the association, unless other rules determine. If there are more than two alternatives at the outset, a second round is held and the two most popular proposals will confront each other, unless there is a simple majority in the first round. In the case the votes are equal, casting lots will decide the decision.

9
In the Annual Meeting of the association, the following matters will be raised for discussion and decision making:

Opening of the meeting.

Choosing the Chair and Secretary of the Meeting, as well as two (2) persons to check the minutes and count the votes.

Establishing that the meeting has quorum.

Approval of the agenda of the Meeting.

Presentation of the closing of the books, the Annual Report, and the report of the auditors.

The approval of the closing of the books, and granting the freedom from responsibility to the previous Board.

The action plan and budget for the following year.

Choosing the Members of the new Board. This includes the size of the Board, and putting forward motions for the members. If there are more candidates than spaces, the meeting will have a vote. Those receiving the most votes will be chosen. Will also choose one, or up to three (1-3) auditors, as well as, deputies for each.

A.O.B.

If any member would like to raise an issue for discussion in the Annual Meeting, he/she has to announce the issue, in writing, well in advance of the Meeting so that it can be included in the agenda sent out with the invitations.

10
Any changes in the rules of the association, or the decision to dissolve the association requires a three quarters (3/4) majority of the votes in a meeting of the association. Moreover, an intention to change the rules, or dissolve the association has to be clearly indicated in the meeting invitations. In the event of dissolving the association, the funds of the association will be used to promote the aims of the association in a manner determined in the last meeting. That is, the funds will be used to promote democratisation.