Statutes – FICE-International

1. Name and Registered Office

1.1. The "Fédération Internationale des Communautés Educatives" (FICE) (International Federation of Educative Communities; Internationale Gesellschaft für erzieherische Hilfen) is an organization established in accordance with article 60 ff of the Swiss Civil Code. Its registered office is defined as being where the General Secretariat is located.

1.2. Founded under the auspices of UNESCO in 1948, in the Pestalozzi Children's Village in Trogen, Switzerland, FICE currently maintains consuitative status with UNESCO, UNICEF, ECOSOC and the Council of Europe.

2. Objectives

2.1. In accordance with the Universal Dèclaration of Human Rights FICE supports all endeavours which further the global realization of the International Rights of the Child as defined by the United Nations and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. FICE focuses on the disadvantaged child or the child at risk, and on how to improve its potentially detrimental living conditions and familial surroundings.

2.2. FICE observes strict political and religious neutrality. It rejects all forms of racial discrimination. It accepts within its Membership all ideological and religious orientations as long as these are inline with the objectives defined in the present statutes.

2.3. FICE promotes the international exchange of knowledge and experience in the field of childcare. FICE endeavours to improve extra-familial care and to represent institutions in which children and adolescents live for shorter or longer periods of time. At the same time FICE encourages the family as the original system. lt encourages reform and development in all types of childcare.

2.4. To realize these objectives FICE organizes congresses, seminars, and symposia which promote the exchange of experience and the further education of experts in the childcare field. It encourages and carries out scientific studies and research. It disseminates and publishes findings mainly through FICE-Press.

2.5. FICE informs the general public and political decision-makers of its work and its findings.

2.6. In the spirit of international understanding and global solidarity FICE supports within its means meetings and exchanges of child care professionals as well as children and young people.

2.7. In unusual circumstancesand in cases of war and catastrophes FICE may participate inlimited relief efforts. In particular, it coordinates, in cooperationwith its Members, their activities, and concentrates its assistanceon children without families or those whose families are onlyable to partially carry out their social, educational, or healthcare responsibilities.