Structure

Status

Geneva Call is a private and not-for-profit Fondation (foundation) under Swiss law, which provides for transparency and strict accountability. Swiss foundations come under the scrutiny of the Swiss Federal Supervisory Board for Foundations, which is part of the Federal Department of Home Affairs. This organ is charged with examining the accounts and ensuring that foundations adhere to the strictest accountability standards. Geneva Call’s headquarters are based in Geneva, Switzerland.

Board

Geneva Call is governed by a nine-member Board headed by a “Chair of the Board”. All Board members are eminent personalities who have accepted to give their time to guide and supervise the activities of Geneva Call. The Board members include experts on international humanitarian law, international human rights law, non-international armed conflicts, legal matters and gender issues.

The Board approves the yearly budget, the accounts, and sets the strategic objectives. The Board takes the final responsibility for Geneva Call’s action. There are usually four Board meetings per year. From 2009, the Board will hold a two-day retreat, once every two years.

Advisory Council

Geneva Call’s Board has decided on the establishment of an advisory council, which would be composed of leading experts in fields of interest to Geneva Call, whether thematic or regional. Details will be published when the Board has finalized its decision.

Executive President and Coordination Committee

Within the framework set by the Board, Geneva Call is directed by the Executive President. The President is assisted by the Coordination Committee, which ensures unity of action and policy through mandatory monthly meetings, and ad hoc exchanges (meetings or e-mails). Members of this Coordination Committee are the Executive President, the Managing Director, the Programme Directors and the thematic Coordinators.

Geneva Call is composed of two divisions, “Operations” and “Headquarters” (activities such as public advocacy, communication, research and conferences, to support operations and special projects, and administration, such as accounting, human resources, computer services).