Article 1. Name of the Network
The name of the network shall be the Science and Technology Policy Asian Network hereinafter called "STEPAN".
Article 2. Primary Objectives
STEPAN has the following primary objectives :
  • To support the more effective application of science and technology (S&T) to planned
         development throughout Asia.
  • To promote a general climate for understanding, acceptance and development of S&T policy
          capabilities throughout the region, as well as to promote targeted S&T policy upgrading
          activities to meet the specific needs of member countries.
          to support the upgrading of resources critical to S&T policy-makers, enhance the development
          of management information systems and other related services.

  • To support the upgrading of resources critical to S&T and innovation policy-makers, enhance the development of management information systems and other related services
    • Article 3. Principles
    Towards meeting these objectives, STEPAN will be guided by the following principles :
  • STEPAN is a network based on the principles of self-help and mutual cooperation which
          operates under the auspices of UNESCO and is pro-active and designed to upgrade S&T
          policies and the capabilities of member countries.
  • The STEPAN Regional Centre shall initiate and coordinate S&T programs which shall promote
          the capabilities of S&T policy formulation of member countries.
  • STEPAN is open to individuals, groups and institutions from all nations in Asia-Pacific region.

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    Article 4. Programmes
    STEPAN shall undertake programs relating to S&T and innovation policy development and management through conferences, symposia, seminars, workshops, training courses, meetings, exchange of experts, visits, assistance in the development of S&T and innovation-related proposals by member countries, publication of reports, journals, proceedings and other related services.
    Article 5. Membership
    1. Admission to membership in STEPAN is made by the appointment of National Focal Point institutions in countries of the region.

    2. ? The nomination of any National Focal Point, hereinafter referred to as the "NFP" shall normally be made by the national government through UNESCO's National Commission of the said NFP's country.

    3. ? Each country shall he represented by only one National Focal Point.

    4.? The NFP shall appoint a person who shall be known as a National Focal Point Representative (NFPR) to represent it in the Coordination Board of STEPAN.

    5. The term of a NFP shall continue until the NFP's national government nominates an alternative institution or the NFP has remained inactive in STEPAN activities for a period of three years.

    6. If a NFP remains inactive for a period of three years, despite prior notice to endeavour to participate in and contribute to STEPAN undertakings, then the Coordination Board of STEPAN can request the NFP's member government to nominate an alternative NFP.

    7. Any NFP may withdraw from membership by giving written notice to the chair of STEPAN or, in absence of a current Chair, to the Director at UNESCO-Jakarta Office.? ?In such events, a new nomination shall be made according to Article 5, Clause 2.
    Article 6. National Focal Points

    1. At a national level, the organisation of the National Focal Point's participation in the network may vary according to existing, organisational structures and practices in each country, which may be consistent with the following principles :

    • Responsibility for NFP functions shall be located within an institution that can act as a source of mobilisation of national S&T and innovation policy resources or which can influence the mobilisation of S&T and innovation policy resources. To best serve the purposes of the network, the NFP shall preferably be a decision-making organisation on S&T and innovation policy issues or a national centre directly involved with the government in policy analysis and advice.
    • As a NFP, the nominated institution shall form a national network group that links practical S&T and innovation policy making interests with active S&T and innovation policy research and training, groups, individuals and other appropriate institutions.

    2. Whilst the integration of NFPs into STEPAN shall be based formally on institutional contact, effort shall be made to operate through consistently participating particular personnel (termed in Clause 5. 4 "National Focal Point Representatives" NFPRS). Such NFPRS would normally be active in S&T and innovation policy and policy analysis or research.

    • NFPs generally shall be involved in the overall development of S&T and innovation policy and policy research within their own countries.
    NFPs shall be responsible for the following functions :
          - coordination of STEPAN activities held in their own countries.
          - dissemination of information concerning STEPAN and its activities to appropriate institutions and people in their own country.
          - maintaining contact with the Regional Network Resource Centre of STEPAN and promotion of the general purposes of STEPAN.
          - identification of research and training needs of the country that arise from S&T and innovation policy making needs, participation in the implementation or coordination of such activities conducted at a national level.
          - engagement in the raising and disbursement of funds for training, research and information exchange under the auspices of the STEPAN program.
    Article 7. The STEPAN Chair

  • The STEPAN Chair shall fulfill the following functions:

    • To provide leadership of the Network and guidance to the Regional Network Resource Centre;
    • To propose and submit the agenda for meetings of the Coordination Board;
    • To propose a work programme;
    • To chair meetings of the STEPAN Coordination Board; and
    • To report on progress of implementation of the STEPAN work programme.
    • The office of the STEPAN Chair shall be rotated among the STEPAN members.
    • Transfer of the STEPAN Chair shall normally occur every 3 years, unless decided otherwise as stated in Article 8, Clause 2, with the possibility of such transfer being notified to Members one year in advance in order for transfer nominations, arrangements and timing to be completed within an adequate time frame.
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    Article 8. Functions and Location of the Regional Network Resource Centre

    1. Within the funding available for STEPAN operations, from UNESCO and other sources, the STEPAN Secretariat shall be called the Regional Network Resource Centre? and shall fulfill the following functions :

    • Provide support for both the network and for NFP research training and information needs and identify needs for science and technology and innovation policy development with guidance from the STEPAN Chair
    • Coordinate conferences, meetings, programmes on policy studies;
    • Provide assistance to member countries in sourcing funds for S&T and innovation policy programmes; and
    • Perform such other functions as may be necessary to carry out STEPAN's primary objectives.
    2. The permanent STEPAN Secretariat shall be the UNESCO Jakarta Office .
    Article 9. STEPAN Regional Coordination Board

    1.? There shall be a STEPAN Regional Coordination Board hereinafter called "The Coordination Board" comprising the NFPR's of all participating countries. The members shall select from among themselves a Chairman who shall have a term of office of three years.

    2.? Unless otherwise decided by the Coordination Board, the term of the Chairman may be extended for another three years. UNESCO shall have a representative on the Board in an ex-oficio capacity.

    3.? The Board shall hold meetings periodically, but not less than once every two years, with the proviso, however, that the Chair, in consultation with UNESCO, may convene such meetings as may be warranted by circumstances and subject to availability of adequate resources. As far as practicable, its meetings shall be held in association with Regional Seminars or meetings where members of the Board are present in their regular, official or other capacity.

    4.? A Quorum for Coordination Board meetings shall be fifty per cent (50%) of all NFPR members.

    1. In case a quorum is not present during a meeting of the Coordination Board, such meeting shall be called an Informal Coordination Board Meeting whose decisions shall only be recommendatory.? All such decisions of Informal Coordination Board Meetings shall be circulated by the STEPAN Secretariat to all STEPAN NFPRs for endorsement ad referendum.

     

    1. Endorsement ad referendum by 50% of all NFPR members shall constitute approval of the decisions of the Informal Coordination Board meeting.
    7.? The Coordination Board shall provide general policy directions to the STEPAN activities.

    8.? The Coordination Board shall delegate responsibility for specific STEPAN activities of the Regional Network Resource Centre - in the context of policies and principles established by the Board - to the Chair.

    9.? The Chair of the Board shall report on STEPAN activities in every Board meeting and present an overview of planned activities for in-principle¡¯ratification by the Board.
    Article 10. Funding and Accountability

    The Regional Network Resource Centre shall, within the delegated mandates of the Coordination Board as noted under Article 8, clauses 5 and 6 :

    • Report to the Board on finances;
    • Follow standard accounting procedures; and
    Take responsibility for all contract and financial obligations.
    Article 11. Approval and Amendments
    The provisions of the Constitution shall be deemed ratified when approved by at least fifty per cent (50%) vote of all the National Focal Points (NFPs). Amendments may be initiated by a NFP and such amendments shall take effect upon approval of at least a fifty per cent (50%) vote of all the NFPs..
    Article 12. Dissolution
    STEPAN may be dissolved by a resolution approved by at least a two-third (2/3) vote of its NFPs.