International Internal Meetings

Every term, the whole ELSA Network meets twice during International Council Meetings (ICM) to make decisions and set the course for the future of the Association. The Members of ELSA form the International Council which is the supreme decision-making (legislative) body of the Association. Decisions taken by the International Council are binding on the whole ELSA Network and may only be changed by the International Council themselves. In order to be able to vote, all Member National Groups of ELSA must fulfil their statutory obligations towards ELSA.

When do ICMs take place and for how long?

The first ICM of the term (Autumn ICM) must take place for a period of 5 days (Wednesday to Sunday) between the second Wednesday of October and the third Sunday of November. The second ICM of the term (Spring ICM) must take place for a period of 7 days (Sunday to Sunday) between the third Sunday of March and the last Sunday of April. Both ICMs must be at least 140 days apart from each other. The specific dates are agreed on between the International Board of ELSA and the hosting group of the ICMs.

Each National Group may send a total of eight individuals to each ICM. This number may be increased by the hosting group of the ICM. 

What are workshops?

The ICMs consist of seven Workshops, which act as a forum for discussions and training, and Plenaries, which act as a forum for decision-making. The Workshops are conducted by the members of the International Board and chaired by up to two experiences ELSA Officers. The following Workshops are held during International Council Meetings:

• Board Management, External Relations and Expansion (BEE): conducted by the President of the International Board or their substitute and attended by National Presidents of the ELSA Network.

• Internal Management (IM): conducted by the Secretary General of the International Board or their substitute and attended by National Secretaries General of the ELSA Network.

• Financial Management (FM): conducted by Treasurer of the International Board or their substitute and attended by National Treasurers of the ELSA Network.

• Marketing (MKT): conducted by the Vice President in charge of Marketing of the International Board or their substitute and attended by National Vice Presidents for Marketing of the ELSA Network.

• Academic Activities (AA): conducted by the Vice President in charge of Academic Activities and the Vice President in charge of Moot Court Competitions of the International Board or their substitutes and attended by National Vice Presidents for Academic Activities and National Vice Presidents in charge of Moot Court Competitions of the ELSA Network.

• Professional Development: conducted by the Vice President in charge of Professional Development of the International Board or their substitute and attended by National Vice Presidents for Professional Development and Student Trainee Exchange Programme of the ELSA Network.

• Seminars and Conferences (S&C): conducted by the Vice President in charge of Seminars and Conferences of the International Board or their substitute and attended by National Vice Presidents for Seminars and Conferences of the ELSA Network.

Sometimes, projects or Areas require extensive collaboration with other Areas thus joint workshops offer the opportunity to discuss topics relevant to officers of more than one area.

In order for workshops to be conducted effectively and efficiently, several Workshop Officers are elected at the beginning of each ICM. There are at least four Workshop Officers in the ICM: the Chair, the Vice Chair and two Secretaries. If necessary, more Secretaries can be appointed.

•  The task of the Chair is to conduct the Workshop in good order, to lead it together with the respective member of the International Board of ELSA.

•  The role of the Vice Chair is to assist the Chair and stand in for them in the event of their absence.

•  The Secretaries are in charge of keeping the minutes of the Workshop and of the preparation of all the documents that have to be submitted to the Council.

What are plenaries?

In addition, there are seven to nine International Council Meeting Officers supporting the International Council proceedings during each ICM Plenary session: the Chair, the Vice Chair, two to four Secretaries, and three members of the Nominations Committee. The International Council Meeting Officers ensure that some of the most important tasks regarding the plenary sessions of an International Council Meeting are carried out properly.

•  The role of the Chair of the Plenary is to ensure that the International Council Meeting agenda is respected and adhered to, to supervise and assist the other International Council Meeting Officers, to invite people to address the International Council, to decide when to put proposals to a vote, to supervise the voting procedure, to announce the result of the voting procedure, to supervise the election procedure, to bring the meeting to order and to resolve any question concerning the International Council Meeting proceedings.

•  The role of the Vice Chair is to assist the Chair and stand in for the Chair in the event of their absence.

•  The role of each Secretary is to keep the minutes of the plenary sessions. The Secretaries are responsible to the Secretary General of the International Board and should always refer to her in case of difficulty.

•  The role of each member of the Nominations Committee is to receive nominations for all the elections and to announce them to the International Council. Therefore, it is recommended that the Nominations Committee is comprised of well-known individuals in the ELSA Network so that it is easier for people to find and approach them.

The International Strategy Meeting (ISM) was introduced at the 77th International Council Meeting Online in June 2020 replacing the second International Presidents' Meeting (IPM) of the ELSA term.

The aim of the ISM is to gather interested and involved officers to discuss the strategic development of the Association and to evaluate measurers already adapted. The ISM takes place in the middle of the term during a period of 5 days (Wednesday to Sunday) between the third Wednesday of January and the third Sunday of February.

The ISM consists of Workshops led by the members of the International Board, mainly the President, and members of the ELSA International Team. The Workshops act as a forum for discussion, debate and strategising in order to take the necessary steps in preparing proposals to be put before the International Council during the next ICM.

Each National Group may send a total of three individuals to each ISM. This number may be increased by the hosting group of the ISM.