Adopted in 1^st YLDA General Assembly, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

ARTICLE I - The YLDA

Section 1. Name

The Young Liberals and Democrats of Asia (YLDA) shall be the organization of liberal youth organizations and individuals in the Asian continent.

Section 2. Objectives

1. to establish an organization of young people for the realization of liberal ideals and democratic principles in Asia through cooperation and dialogue;

2. to develop successful liberal and democratic youth organizations in our respective countries;

3. to raise social and political awareness and promote liberal values among the youth of Asia through dialogues, forums and workshops;

4. to emphasize the importance of a holistic and progressive education policy in the development of vibrant and democratic societies;

5. to work towards greater cultural, mutual understanding between peoples, the eradication of poverty and promote a culture of peace and humanity, and to work against gender and sexual discrimination;

6. to demand for accountability, transparency and good governance;

7. to advocate changes within our organizations in order to address the issues and concerns of the youth.

Section 3. Office

The location of the YLDA office shall be decided by the General Assembly.

Section 4. Logo

The logo of the 2^nd CALD Young Leaders Workshop 2003 symbolizing harmony between the universe and humankind with a stylized rendition of the human form with arms raised representing young people is hereby adopted as the official logo of YLDA.

Section 5. International Cooperation

As a matter of policy, the YLDA shall cooperate with all liberal youth organizations worldwide.

Section 6. Working Language

The English language shall be the working language of YLDA.

Article II - Membership

Section 1. Types of Membership

YLDA is composed of (1) liberal youth organizations and (2) young liberal individuals who freely join the organization and who freely commit to and accept the YLDA Constitution and Program of Action.

The age of individual members shall be between fifteen (15) and thirty five (35) years of age, with individual membership lapsing as an individual member goes beyond the age limit of the organization.

Section 2. Rights of Members

Members shall have the right to be represented in the YLDA General Assembly and to elect and be elected to the Executive Committee.

Section 3. Duties and Responsibilities of Members

Members shall abide by the Constitution, rules and regulations, resolutions, and decisions of the organization.

Members shall take part actively in the activities of the organization.

Members shall work for the objectives of YLDA.

Section 4. Application for Membership

Organizations who wish to apply for membership in the organization shall submit a written application to the Executive Committee together with a copy of its constitution, program of action, and other relevant documents as may be required by the Executive Committee. Individuals shall submit such documents as may be required by the Executive Committee.

The Executive Committee is duty bound to include the application of such organization or individual into the agenda of the next meeting of the General Assembly. All member-organizations shall be provided a copy of the application and supporting documents prior to the holding of the General Assembly.

Section 5. Approval of Membership

The vote on admitting a new member shall be held at the first next General Assembly after receipt of the application.  A simple majority of votes present shall be required for admission into the Organization.

ARTICLE III – Organizational Structure

Section 1. Bodies of the Organization

The Organization shall be comprised of:

(a)        The General Assembly; and

(b)        The Executive Committee.

Section 2. The General Assembly

The General Assembly shall be the highest decision making body of the Organization.

The delegates to the General Assembly shall be composed of member organizations, individuals, and the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall determine the number of delegates to the General Assembly.

Section 3. Meetings of the General Assembly

The General Assembly shall meet in an Annual General Meeting. The Executive Committee shall be entitled to call for an Extraordinary General Meeting. The meetings of the General Assembly can be called by either the Executive Committee or by one-third (1/3) of the member organizations.

All Member Organizations shall each have one vote in the General Assembly and all individual members shall collectively have a total of one vote in the General Assembly. Voting by proxy is not allowed.

The President of the organization shall preside over meetings of the General Assembly.

All decisions are taken by a simple majority of those present and voting. In the event of a tie, the presiding officer of the General Assembly shall have one casting vote.

The quorum of the General Assembly shall be half of the Member Organizations of YLDA present.

Two (2) months written notice (including email) must be given for a meeting of the General Assembly.

Section 4. The Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall be responsible for the daily administration of the organization and the implementation of its programs and policies. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for all YLDA activities and political work.

The Executive Committee shall consist of the following:

·         President;

·         Secretary General

·         Three (3) Executive Committee Members

Once elected to the Executive committee, members represent YLDA and not their own organizations at YLDA events. Executive committee members are not required to resign their organizational membership and may if their organization is unable to be represented at a General Assembly vote on their behalf.

Section 5. Meetings of the Executive Committee

Excluding videoconferencing and other such media, the Executive committee shall meet at least twice a year, with General Assemblies not counting.  All executive committee meetings must take place face to face. The Executive Committee is encouraged to meet in addition to these two (named above) using alternative means of communication. 

All decisions of the Executive Committee shall be taken by simple majority with a quorum of three (3).

Section 6. Election of Executive Committee

The General Assembly elects the Executive Committee at its annual general meeting for a term of one year or until the next General Assembly, by secret ballot.  Voting takes place in the order of President, Secretary General, and Executive committee members.   Nominations may be received until the start of each ballot.  Should a round of voting result in a tie, voting shall take place once again.  If the voting still results in a tied situation, a coin will be tossed to determine the result of the election.

The President and the Secretary General shall not serve in the same position for more than two consecutive terms.

The President and the Secretary General shall not come from the same organization.

Members of the Executive Committee may be replaced by a majority vote by the Executive Committee prior to the expiration of their terms. Replacement of those removed by the Executive Committee is at the discretion of the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE IV – General Provisions

Section 1. Amendments and Revision

All proposals for amendments of this Constitution shall be sent to all members together with the notices of the annual general assembly meeting. All proposals shall be approved by the General Assembly by a two-third (2/3) majority.

Section 2. Interpretation

All matters not otherwise stated in this Constitution shall be the competence of the General Assembly.

The interpretation of this charter is subject to the decision of a two-third (2/3) majority of the General Assembly.

Section 3. Validity

This Constitution shall take effect after its adoption by the General Assembly by a two-third (2/3) majority.

30 October 2003, Phnom Penh, Cambodia