We, European Sociologists, aware of the diversity and complexities of European societies, have decided to create an Association. Its name is the European Sociological Association (ESA). Its focus is the development of sociological knowledge. The Association will facilitate European sociological research, teaching and communication between sociologists and and between sociologists and other scientists. It hopes that its work will contribute to understanding and solving social problems improving the quality of life in Europe and facilitating the co- operation of peoples. In this respect, the Association will cooperate with other sociological and non- sociological scientific association.
The ESA is a scientific, independent organisation, with no religious, political or any other kind of affiliation. The Association shall be conducted on a non-profit basis.
The above objectives will be implemented through the holding of conferences, the promotion of research networks, the publication of newsletters and scientific journals and other scientific activities.
Membership is open to scholars who actively contribute to the scientific development of sociological knowledge in or on Europe.
There are four kinds of members: honorary, regular, affiliated and student.
Regular membership is open to scholars who do one of:
Affiliate membership is open to academics in other disciplines who take an interest in the activities of the Association.
Student membership is open to all university level students in sociology and related subjects.
The fee for every category of membership is determined by the Executive Committee.
Institutional membership is open to all institutions which actively contribute to the development of sociological knowledge in or on Europe.
The European national associations are represented by the Council of National Associations.
The organs of the Association are:
The General Assembly consists of individual members in good standing. It meets during the European Sociological conference, that has to be organised at least every four years. The functions of the General Assembly are:
The General Assembly is called by the President, who announces the agenda six weeks in advance. The General Assembly may add new items to the agenda.
The ESA acknowledges the importance of the national associations of Sociology in accomplishing the objectives in Article 1.
A Council of National Associations of Sociology, formed by one representative of each European national association of Sociology, is established as a body of the ESA in order:
The national associations that will take part in the first meeting of the Council of national associations are the ones that met in 1992 in the Vienna conference to found the ESA (the list of their names is attached and is part of these Statutes).
The Council will decide on the admission of other European national associations.
The Council is chaired by one of the national representatives.
The chairperson of the Council will be elected by the Council for a three year term.
He/she calls the meeting of the Council and decides the agenda.
The chairperson of the Council takes part in the meetings of the Executive Committee without voting rights.
The Executive Committee consists of sixteen (16) members, who elect from its members:
The period of service on the Executive Committee is to be a maximum of two terms, except for the President, who can serve no more than one term as a President.
Any vacancies in the Executive Committee will be filled by the next person with the highest number of votes. In the case of the vacancy of one of the offices in the Executive Committee, the Committee will elect someone to the position.
The functions of the Executive committee are:
The Executive Committee deals with all remaining issues, except the ones related to amendments to statutes and by-laws.
The Executive Committee has the authority to decide whether the ESA joins other associations and organisations.
The Executive Committee may appoint non-standing Committees and ad hoc groups.
The Executive Committee will meet at least once between General Assemblies.
The President represents the ESA at all events. He/she chairs the Executive Committee. In the event of the President's absence, he/she is replaced by one of the Vice-Presidents. The President may delegate some of his/her functions to any other member of the Executive Committee.
The General Secretary keeps the records of the Association. He/she is in charge of relations and communication with the members and other associations.
Research Networks are proposed by a minimum of 10 members from at least three different countries and approved by the Executive Committee. They may decide their own by-laws in accordance with the general principles of the ESA statutes. Each Research Network elects its own co-ordinator.
Regular members in good standing elect the members of the Executive Committee and the President. The elections take place during the General Assembly. In order to allow members not attending the conference to vote, they shall be given the possibility to vote by mail.
The election procedure will be implemented by a committee which will be appointed by the General Assembly.
The Nomination committee for the election of the Executive Committee consists of 9 persons elected by the Council of National Associations. After the widest consultations, it collects proposals for candidates from national associations, individuals or groups of members. It proposes a slate of 30 candidates, fifteen of each gender, taking into account region and fields of research and 4 candidates for the Presidency, half of them male, half of them female.
Every member may vote for a maximum of 10 candidates and for one candidate for presidency. Members may also express their candidate preference by writing in the name (or names) of other members in good standing. The total number of votes must not exceed ten (10). If the total number of votes exceeds ten (10), the ballot will be invalid
The headquarters of the ESA will be determined at each term by the Executive Committee.
The dissolution of the Association and change of the Statutes may be proposed by:
A proposal to change the Statutes must be approved by a majority of the General assembly or 51 % of the regular members of the Association in good standing taking part in the vote. The vote is valid if at least 51% of the members who take part in the vote, agree with the changes.
