Our Structure
General Assembly
The OSWD General Assembly of Members is the highest decision-making body and is composed by all the Members that attend the meeting convened every four to five years by the Executive Board.
The General Assembly shall be empowered to make decisions on all matters affecting the Organization. In particular, it shall make the following decisions:
- Approve the general strategies and policies of the Organization
- Approve reports of the Executive Board
- Elect the Executive Board
- Support the Executive Board to achieve the objectives of the Organization
- Adopt and amend the Statutes and the Rules of Procedure of the Organization.
Executive Board
The OSWD Executive Board implement the decisions agreed by the General Assembly by developing a Strategic Plan and supervi sing the work of the Secretariat in carrying out that plan.
The Executive Board consists of a President, four Vice Presidents and four Regional Member, one for each of the four OWSD regions, and the immediate past President. The Board's duties are to:
- Set the time and venue for the meetings of the General Assembly
- Prepare the agenda and the decisions of the General Assembly
- Implement the decisions taken by the General Assembly
- Screen Membership applications
- Develop a strategic action plan
- Secure funding for programmes and activities
- Approve programmes and activities, as well as their budgets
- Ensure that actual spending is in accordance with these budgets.
Board Members
The current OWSD Executive Board was elected in June-July 2021 in an online election. The Executive Board consists of a President, four Vice Presidents, four Regional Members, and the immediate past President; there is one Vice President and one Regional Member from each of the four OWSD regions.
OWSD Secretariat
The OWSD Secretariat takes care of all administrative issues pertaining to the Organization as a whole. It remains in close contact with the OWSD Executive Board in order to ensure membership is centralised and strategic decisions and programme activities are carried out effectively. Its duties include sending out annual reports, and gathering and analysing membership data. This feeds back into the construction or adaption of OWSD programmes, ensuring their relevance and effectiveness.
OWSD Regions and National Chapters
OWSD is organized in four regions: Africa, Arab Region, Asia & Pacific, Latin America & Caribbean.
Each region is represented in the Executive Board by two members and organizes the work of the National Chapters, the actual operating structure of the Organization.
Every year, OWSD grants prizes to create high level networking opportunities and celebrate the achievements of women scientists from developing countries. OWSD is also designing a storytelling training programme, including homemade videos, podcasts and narratives, dedicated to women scientists.