Governance Process and Document

One of the primary duties of the first Board of ESCR-Net was to complete the governance process for establishing the network, and to present to the General Assembly a Governance Proposal for adoption which would reflect the decisions taken throughout that process.  On December 1, 2004, a Governance Proposal was adopted by a vote of 95% majority of ESCR-Net participants who cast their votes.  The Proposal now constitutes the Governance Document for ESCR-Net and sets the basic guidelines for the functioning of the network.

The Governance Document establishes the basic structure, mission and goals of the network.  In addition, it establishes the roles, rights and responsibilities of Members, the Board, and the Secretariat.  It also addresses the role of working groups, social movements and regional representation in the network as well as begins to outline a process for collective action.  It is envisioned that as the network continues to grow in capacity, membership and scope, the governance structure will be amended to reflect that growth and to address the needs that in turn arise. The Governance Document is available below in English, Spanish and French.
 
Overview of the Governance Process
 
From the beginning of the planning and outreach phase of the network in 2000, a process for soliciting input and undertaking research on governance issues - including regional meetings, individual organizational inputs, consultations and interviews of other networks and coalitions - was ongoing. In 2001, a governance committee was formed with volunteers from the Interim Council – the initial steering committee for ESCR-Net - and the assistance of the secretariat to carry out this work in stages. The process was conducted in an open way to allow for a variety of inputs in different forms and to benefit from the experience of other collaborative initiatives, particularly other networks and coalitions which already addressed similar governance issues and structural challenges.

Drawing upon all these inputs, a Governance Discussion Paper was drafted in April 2003, whose aim was to identify the main issues and options for the constitution of a permanent governance structure for the network. The discussion paper was circulated to the general mailing list prior to the inaugural conference for a period of open comment and review. The discussion paper provided a framework for groups and individuals participating in ESCR-Net to engage with different ideas for building the network; to identify areas of consensus and decision-making; and to solicit additional input.
 
During the inaugural conference in June 2003, governance sessions on Building the Network were held in order to give participants the opportunity to engage with these ideas and suggestions in a group process. Further inputs were gathered and proposals were put forward both for taking decisions at the conference and for further consideration after the launch. For 2003-2004, the Board was given a mandate by the General Assembly to develop a governance proposal on the structures and policies for the network.

These inputs and decisions together with those adopted during the first meeting of the ESCR-Net Board (Barcelona, November 2003) were incorporated into a Revised Governance Discussion Paper, which was circulated among ESCR-Net participants and other groups and individuals for another period of open comment and review that lasted from June to September, 2004. A moderated discussion of different issues raised in the Revised Governance Discussion Paper was held throughout this period. A summary of the input received during this discussion is available in English, French and Spanish. The Revised Governance Discussion Paper is available in Arabic, English, French and Spanish. A summarized version of the document is also available in Thai.

Finally, all consultations, inputs, research as well as interviews gathered during this 3-year long governance process, came together in the Governance Proposal. In October 2004, the ESCR-Net Board, the body in charge of drafting the document, presented the final Governance Proposal to ESCR-Net participants for a vote on its adoption or rejection. The voting period took place from October 22 through December 1, 2004. ESCR-Net Participants who attended the ESCR-Net Inaugural Conference (Chiang Mai, 2003) or who had been subscribed to ESCR-Net's general mailing list before June 16, 2004, were eligible to vote.

The Governance Proposal was adopted by 95% of the votes cast and constitutes now the Governance Document for ESCR-Net. It establishes the basic structure, goals and ways of working for the Network.

The adoption of the Governance Document completes a 3-year governance process which was enriched by the input and work of many ESCR-Net participants and the shared experience of other networks. We thank all who contributed to this process with input, experiences or their vote.

Institutionally, the adoption of the Governance Document represents an important step for the network and the conclusion of a significant definitional period. At the same time we hope to carry on working with an ever increasing number of committed organizations and individuals to ensure ESCR-Net continues to increase its capacity to respond to the needs of its membership and to be a supportive structure for strengthening the ESCR field. We will thus continue to need your inputs, comments, recommendations and overall continued participation to transform and strengthen the Network as needed. If there are issues that you would like to bring to the agenda or processes you would like to initiate, please contact the Secretariat at info@escr-net.org.