Organisational Structure

The GENERAL ASSEMBLY, which meets every three years, is the sovereign body of ICOMOS comprising all its members. It elects the President, the Vice-Presidents, the Secretary General and the Treasurer General, who together make up the Bureau. It also elects the twelve members of the Executive Committee. The General Assembly determines the program and the budgetary orientations for the triennium to come and sees that the objectives of ICOMOS have been met.

The EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE is the managing body of ICOMOS. It has twelve members, plus the members of the Bureau and five co-opted members. Demonstrated professional qualities are a must for these members, who represent every major region of the globe. The Executive Committee prepares the program and the budget and oversees their implementation. It registers new National and International Committees. Between sessions it is the Bureau that sees that the program is carried out.

The ADVISORY COMMITTEE comprises the Chairs of the National and International Committees. Its function is to advise the Executive Committee by bringing forth suggestions and recommendations on program priorities and orientations.

The National Committees are ICOMOS associations created at the national level, such as Australia ICOMOS. They provide the individual and institutional members with a forum of discussion and exchange of information. These groups implement locally the programme proposed by the Executive Committee.

The International Committees are responsible for developing conservation theory and techniques in specific areas of ICOMOS interests. Each Committee brings together experts of world-wide reputation.

The INTERNATIONAL SECRETARIAT is located at ICOMOS headquarters in Paris. Under the Director, who is chosen by the President, the Secretariat co-ordinates the implementation of the program decided by the General Assembly.

The ICOMOS DOCUMENTATION CENTRE is also housed at headquarters. It collects, analyses and disseminates information on heritage conservation, in particular through its bibliographic database. It is open daily to researchers, whether members of ICOMOS or non-members. (www.international.icomos.org/centre_documentation/index.html)

For more information, go to the ICOMOS website www.icomos.org/.