An international Union focusing on ecological ethics has been founded by Otto Kinne¹ and Gennady Polikarpov² on March 25, 1998. The Union carries the name 'Eco-Ethics International Union' (EEIU). It consists of Global Components and Local Components (see Table 1 under EEIU). The Headquarters of the Union is subject to the German law of "Förderung des Natur- und Umweltschutzes" gemäß FA Lüneburg I/769-VIII/241.

Global Components:

(1) Headquarters (global Union representation and administrative functions): International Ecology Institute, 21385 Oldendorf/Luhe, Germany (Fax +49 4132 8883; email ir@int-res.com; Internet www.int-res.com or www.eeiu.org) (2) General Office (supporting activities and advisory functions), A. O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of Southern Seas (IBSS), National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 335011 Sevastopol, Ukraine (Fax + 380 692 553578; email GGP@iur.sebastopol.ua).

Local Components:

Several Local Components already exist, others are being established. Local Components operate in different countries, cities, universities, schools, etc..

ARTICLE 2 Aims

EEIU founders and EEIU Fellows are convinced that humanity can survive only with a new concept of ethics: eco-ethics. The reasons for this conviction are outlined in 'Eco-ethics: concepts and theses' where also definitions are provided for the term eco-ethics.

The EEIU aims at developing the conceptional basis of eco-ethics, bringing eco-ethics to the attention of many people worldwide, and at implementing eco-ethics in human behavior, politics and economics.

ARTICLE 3 Fellows

EEIU Fellows are distinguished, active supporters and representatives of the Union. Fellows are appointed by the EEIU President or Vice President.

ARTICLE 4 Members

Anyone able and willing to actively support the Union and to implement its aims is invited to join the Union as a member. Applications are to be sent to Headquarters or the General Office.

Members are expected to attend to one or more of the following tasks:

discuss, criticize, develop and distribute eco-ethics concepts and theses
found and organize Local Chapters, Youth Groups (e.g. in a country, city, school, university) or Task Forces
organize meetings (e.g. symposia, discussion groups)
procure financial support from sponsors

ARTICLE 5 Financing

There is no EEIU membership fee. The costs for running the EEIU are hoped to be covered by governmental and/or non-governmental sponsors. The Founding Sponsor is Inter-Research, 21385 Oldendorf/Luhe, Germany.

Donations may be made to any component of the Union. Provided the Donors (Sponsors) agree, their names will be published on the EEIU Sponsors page. Donations will be used exclusively for covering expenses immediately related to furthering and implementing the aims of the Union.

ARTICLE 6 Administration

The EEIU strives for a minimum of administrative formalities and for a maximum of flexibility and independence of its Local Components (LC). Within the framework of EEIU aims and concepts, LCs are free to decide about their structures, membership and programs.

(a) Global Components

These are governed by the Global Council consisting of President and Vice President plus 5 Councilors, initially appointed by the President for 5 years. Thereafter (or in case of replacement or death), Global Council Members shall be nominated by Fellows and formally elected by simple majority vote of the Fellows.

The Global Council decides on:

all global matters concerning the EEIU
plan and control of global budgets and approval of global accounts
updating or modifying the Constitution. Where required by local law, changes in the Constitution must be approved by relevant local governmental agencies in order to become effective.

Decisions of the Global Council require written agreement by at least 5 Council Members. The decisions shall be registered by Headquarters. The President or the Vice-President shall make the decision(s) known to Fellows and Members within 3 weeks.

During the initial period of EEIU development, no funds are available for meetings of Council Members. Hence communication is restricted to letters, fax or email.

(b) Local Components

These are governed by Local Chairs. They work according to the rules established by Global Components. If necessary, these rules may be adjusted to meet local situations and laws. Adjustments require agreement from the President or Vice-President.

ARTICLE 7 Dissolution

Proposals regarding dissolution of the EEIU or of its Global and/or Local Components must be submitted to the Global Council. Decisions require a two-thirds majority of the Global Council and Fellows.

In case of dissolution the winding up of Union funds and assets may require the involvement of the local Government.

¹Professor Dr. Otto Kinne is Director of the International Ecology Institute, 21385 Oldendorf/Luhe, Germany (Fax +49 4132 8883; Email: ir@int-res.com)

²Professor Dr. Gennady Polikarpov is Academician and Personal Staff Member of the General Biology Division, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 252601 Kiev, Chief Scientist and Head of Comparative Radioecology and Molismology Lab, IBSS, Sevastopol, Ukraine (Fax +380 692 553578/592813; Email: ggp@iur.sebastopol.ua)

This page was last updated on 9 July 2004.


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