Statutes

The signatories, as founding members, after having participated of two meetings, the first in Gargonza, Italy, on September 18 and 19, 1999; and the second in Paris, at the Hôtel de Crillon, on November 14, 1999; and having nominated a commission charged with the mission of elaborating the document of foundation,

Considering

▪ The unbalance in detriment to the Latin languages and cultures   introduced by the globalization of the means of communication and interchange, as well as the possible resultant damages for the transmission of the Latin world’s values and learnings;
▪ The need to face the risks of cultural uniformization;
▪ The creative capacities, and the cultural richness and diversity of Latin peoples in the midst of human society;
▪ The eminent role of Latinity as memory, source of innovation and anticipation;

Decide that

Article I: It is created the Academy of Latinity.

Article II: The Academy has the purpose of constituting an independent moral authority, strengthening solidarity among the countries and peoples of Latin culture, and reinforcing the legitimate presence of the contributions of Latinity – past, present, and future – in all domains of civilization. It undertakes and develops cultural and scientific actions directed to this goal, and supports the interchange between all the cultures of the world.

Artigo III: The Academy of Latinity is composed of lifelong members, respected the limit of one hundred (100). All the members must belong to Latin countries. They are elected by the absolute majority of voters, the minimum quorum being established as the half of the number of members. The Academy holds the power of conferring honorific status to members no longer able to contribute to its activities. In such circumstance, their substitution will be provided. The Academy is attentive to a balanced representation of disciplines and generations.

Article IV: The Academy has an unlimited duration. The pomegranate, symbol of fecundity and renovation, is its emblem.

Article V: According to criteria that it shall determine, the Academy may nominate Honorary Members. It may also nominate Associate Members who, in spite of not belonging to Latin countries, have rendered relevant services to Latinity. Finally, it may nominate Correspondent Members.

Article VI: The Academy is a sui generis institution with associative and nongovernmental character, of international nature, and it may sign agreements with public or private governments.

Its meeting constitutes its General Assembly.

It elects, among its members, the Academy’s Executive Board, formed by a President, two Vice-Presidents, a Secretary-General, and three Councilors.

The Executive Board is elected for a three years mandate through votes of a simple majority, with the minimum quorum for such election being defined as the half of the members present or represented at the Assembly.

Any vote can be effectuated by proxy legally entrusted.

The Academy approves the program presented by the Executive Board.

It has the power to create, under the Board’s responsibility, as many permanent or ad hoc commissions as necessary for the accomplishment of its activities, and especially a permanent administrative commission.

The Executive Board is responsible for the decisions of the Academy and for the guidance of their implementation.

Article VII: The decisions of the Academy are taken by simple majority of the present or represented members, except in the following cases, where the quorum must be of three quarters (3/4) of the members:

  • Change in the number of members of the Academy;
  • Modification of the Statutes;
  • Exclusion of a member for having practiced a serious act against the interests of the Academy;
  • Dissolution of the Academy;
  • Liquidation of its patrimony.


Article VIII: The Academy will have two headquarters, one in Europe and other in Latin America, and it will create as many headquarters or delegations as necessary for the development of its activities.

Article IX: The patrimony and resources of the Academy are composed by donations, bequests, munificences and subventions granted by national and international institutions, public or private, physical or moral persons.

The Academy is responsible for the management of its assets, which is assured by the Executive Board with the cooperation of its administrative commission.

Article X: Transitory dispositions:

Paragraph 1: The Academy is constituted as association within the framework of the Brazilian legislation. It may further assume the necessary forms to be recognized by other countries according to their own legislations, with the purpose of acquiring its universal scope.

Paragraph 2: Considering the prime interest which would consist in being under the aegis of the States, who would acknowledge its character of public interest, a High Sponsorship has been created in order to assure the support of States, governments, large institutions protecting and fostering the arts and sciences, and persons willing to contribute to the activities of the Academy.

The Executive Board assures its constitution and functioning.

Paragraph 3: The seat of the General Assembly is established in the city of Rio de Janeiro, as long as Professor Candido Mendes remains being its responsible.

Paragraph 4: The points of the attached regulations will be taken as initial and provisional rules, in order to make possible the good development of the Academy’s activities.

Read, approved and voted by acclamation by the founding members, in Rio de Janeiro, on March 11, 2000, at 19h30.

Present: Maurice DRUON, François GROS, Dan HAULICA, Candido MENDES DE ALMEIDA, Edgar MORIN, Gianni VATTIMO.

Claude ALLÈGRE (justified absence), Jean AUBOUIN (justified absence, proxy given to Mr. Gros), Luigi BERLINGUER (justified absence), Maurizio BETTINI (justified absence, proxy given to Mr. Mayor), Hector BIANCIOTTI (justified absence, proxy given to Mr. Druon), Jérôme BINDÉ (justified absence, proxy given to Mr. Mayor), Carlos Fuentes (justified absence, proxy given to Mr. Mayor), Marc FUMAROLI (justified absence, proxy given to Mr. Druon), Enrique IGLESIAS (justified absence, proxy given to Mr. Mendes), Eduardo LOURENÇO (justified absence, proxy given to Mr. Mendes), Nélida PIÑON (justified absence, proxy given to Mr. Mendes), José SARAMAGO (justified absence, proxy given to Mr. Mendes).