Our governance

Our governance structure and principles ensure that ARTICLE 19 is well-led, accountable, and effective. 

ARTICLE 19 is guided by several governance bodies, internationally and regionally, all united by a shared vision and mission. Our global reach and local roots enable us to propel change at all levels. 

Our governance principles

We owe it to our beneficiaries, stakeholders, and supporters to demonstrate exemplary leadership. 

That’s why ARTICLE 19 has adopted the following 7 principles of good governance, based on best-practice guidance in the Charity Governance Code:

  1. Organisational purpose
  2. Leadership
  3. Integrity
  4. Decision-making, risk, and control
  5. Board effectiveness
  6. Diversity
  7. Openness and accountability 

Our governance structure

General Assembly

The collective of global and local trustees at the helm of ARTICLE 19

What it does

  • Steers the overall direction of ARTICLE 19 and the International Board, including setting its vision, mission, and values
  • Holds the International Board accountable for ARTICLE 19’s performance
  • Brings together all trustees across all ARTICLE 19 offices worldwide (International Board, Regional Boards, and Regional Office Affiliates), enabling local oversight of global operations and ensuring ARTICLE 19 benefits from diverse geographical representation
  • Recommends trustees for appointment to the International Board and other governance bodies
  • Approves ARTICLE 19’s annual reports and accounts 

How it works

  • The General Assembly currently consists of 20 members
  • It is made up of all the trustees from the International Board, Chairpersons of Regional Affiliate Boards, and Regional Advisory Boards
  • Each member has voting rights at all meetings. Decisions are ideally reached by consensus. Where this is not possible, they are taken by majority vote. In the case of a tie of votes, the Chair casts a second, deciding vote
  • Meetings take place every year in June

International Board

The trustees of ARTICLE 19’s International Office, and the highest legal authority of ARTICLE 19.

What it does

  • Provides strategic direction for ARTICLE 19
  • Monitors the adherence of ARTICLE 19 at all levels (International Office and all Regional Offices: Affiliates and Non-Affiliates) with the organisation’s constitution, values, vision, mission, policies, regulations, and systems
  • Holds ARTICLE 19 accountable for its performance against its agreed strategies and plans
  • Ensures ARTICLE 19 is legally compliant
  • Recommends ARTICLE 19’s annual reports and accounts to General Assembly for adoption
  • Approves ARTICLE 19’s strategic plan and financial strategy 
  • Approves the opening of Regional Offices
  • Appoints the Executive Director
  • Monitors the work of the Executive Director and management team

How it works

  • The International Board consists of 13 members
  • Members are appointed by other members following recommendation based on an annual skills audit
  • Meetings take place twice a year
  • Each member has voting rights at full meetings. Decisions are ideally reached by consensus. Where this is not possible, they are taken by majority vote. In the case of a tie of votes, the Chair casts a second, deciding vote
  • Members serve for up to 3 years per term, and can be reappointed for another consecutive term. Members with much-needed skill sets may be invited to serve for a third term
  • All members have duties of care, loyalty, and legal compliance, and must abide by ARTICLE 19’s Code of Conduct for Trustees, which holds them to the highest standards of accountability, integrity, and effectiveness
  • ARTICLE 19 aims to ensure its International Board includes a balance of skills, expertise, and demographics, including gender and regional representation
  • The International Board appoints committees to oversee specific aspects of ARTICLE 19’s work, including the statutory Finance and General Purposes Committee and the Governance Committee

Regional Governance Boards

The trustees of ARTICLE 19’s Regional Offices.

What they do

  • Responsible for the day-to-day governance of Regional Office Affiliate Members
  • Work as a team to ensure the best interests of the organisation as a whole, including providing support to the Regional Director
  • Hold Regional Directors accountable for the Regional Office’s performance against agreed strategies and plans
  • Ensure the Regional Office is legally compliant
  • Approve the Regional Office’s annual reports and accounts, strategic plan, and financial strategy
  • Assist in recruiting and inducting new Regional Board Members

How they work

  • Board Members are trustees of the ARTICLE 19 Regional Offices. The Chairperson of the regional board participates in the General Assembly
  • As with the International Board, all members have duties of care, loyalty, and legal compliance, and must abide by ARTICLE 19’s Code of Conduct for Trustees, which holds them to the highest standards of accountability, integrity, and effectiveness

Find out more

Impact report cover 2024 ARTICLE 19

Our impact

Our funding

People gather to mark the second anniversary of Jina Mahsa Amini’s death and to protest against the Iranian regime

Our people