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Report on the ESP General Assembly

by Categories: Collaboration calls, ESP Updates, News

During the conference in Prague, we held an ESP General Assembly and the Interim Executive Committee (IEC) shared their proposals for establishing ESP as an independent legal entity and for holding elections for ESP governance (Steering Committee and Executive Committee). In brief the proposals are based on two main points:

  1. Setting up ESP as a legal entity. Up to this point in its history, the ESP is not a legal entity but has been generously hosted by the Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD). Since Dolf retired as chair of ESP and is retiring from FSD, now is an appropriate time to establish ESP as a legal entity to ensure financial and governance clarity for the future. After consultations and research into the legal options, the IEC propose to register ESP as an Association in the Netherlands. This is a non-profit legal entity formed by individuals with a common goal. The Articles of Association will be based on the current ESP bylaws. The board members of the Association will initially be from the IEC and replaced by members of the incoming Executive Committee. The proposed timeline is to register the new ESP legal entity in the coming two or three months; and then discuss and complete the legal and financial transition process with FSD by October. After a useful discussion and advice from ESP members, this proposal was passed by acclamation.
  2. Election of new Steering and Executive Committees. The election process defined in the ESP bylaws is: 1. a Steering Committee (max 30 members) is elected by the ESP Members; 2. an Executive Committee (9 members) is elected by the Steering Committee. Both committees serve for a period of four years. The IEC proposes to implement this process this year with the following steps:
    1. Form an Election Committee of 3-5 ESP members who are not themselves running for election; .
    2. Open nominations for the Steering Committee from ESP members in October;
    3. Close nomination process one month later and publish a list of all valid candidates;
    4. Hold an online election to the Steering Committee and published results in December;
    5. The Steering Committee elect the Executive Committee in January 2027.

After a constructive discussion in the General Assembly, the proposal was accepted by acclamation.

These developments are to ensure that ESP continues to be a vibrant and impactful community. The IEC will share more information on them in the coming months through the Newsletter; or please get in touch directly if you have any questions. Please also start to consider what contribution you want to make in leading the ESP community and think about bringing your ideas and enthusiasm to the new Steering Committee and Executive Committee!