Preamble
The World Association of Psychoanalysis (AMP), established in Paris on the 7th January 1992, made the intention expressed by Jacques Lacan in the Founding Act of the French School of Psychoanalysis its own, and re-established itself in the movement to regain the Freudian field founded by Jacques Lacan on the 21st of June 1964.
” It is my intention that this title represent the organism in which a certain work must be accomplished – which, in the field that Freud opened, reinvests the cutting edge of its truth – which restores the original praxis that he instituted under the name of psychoanalysis to its responsibilities in our world – which, by an unremitting criticism, denounces the deviations and the compromises that dampen its progress by degrading its use. This work objective is indissoluble from the training to be dispensed in this movement of reconquest.”
The AMP also adopted the principles contained in its Proposition on the Psychoanalyst of the School (1967).
The AMP conferred the title of “recognised school” on the following “Schools:” la Escuela de Orientacion Lacaniana (Argentina), la Nueva Escuela Lacaniana (Central America), la Escola brasileira de Psicanàlise (Brazil), la Fédération Européenne des Ecoles de Psychanalyse (FEEP). The schools making up FEEP are: l’Ecole de la Cause Freudienne (France), la Escuela Lacaniana de Psicoanàlisis (Spain), la Scuola Lacaniana de Psicoanàlisi (Italy), and the New Lacanian School (various countries in Europe and the World). The members of each of these schools can be members of the AMP.
In order to achieve its aims, the AMP maintains close collaboration with the “Foundation of the Freudian Field,” an Association set up in 1979, whose members are members of the AMP, as of right, subject to their acceptance.
I – Aims, composition, and resources of the Association
Article 1 – Definition
The AMP was created in January 1992. The publication in the official journal was made on the 29th of January 1992.
The association called World Association of Psychoanalysis (AMP) governed under French law is a non-profit association that brings together members that may be of different nationalities.
It seeks to develop psychoanalysis in the World. Its duration is unlimited.
It has its head office in Paris (75), street and number being shown in the internal regulations.
The AMP is governed by the law of 1901.
Article 2 – Aim
The aim of the World Association of Psychoanalysis (AMP) is to promote the development of psychoanalysis in the World. It particularly encourages any training activity or that which seeks to democratise psychoanalysis.
In particular:
- It seeks to have psychoanalysis known to as great a number of people as possible through the broadest education activities.
- It allows “Schools” that it has recognised and on which it has conferred the status of recognised School to coordinate its activities at a global level, promote their initiatives and broadcast them to the media and mental health authorities;
- It encourages in each “School”, the creation of Consultation Centres which place psychoanalytical treatment within the reach of all. The Consultation Centres are run under the responsibility of the voluntary members of the AMP
- It encourages the creation of new “Schools” throughout the World.
- It is a permanent observatory for the status of psychoanalysis and for legislation that targets mental health.
Article 3 – Means of action
The Association’s means of activities are notably: provision of premises, libraries, producing research and review publications (both in electronic as well as traditional formats), organisation of meetings, working groups, study days, organisation of conferences, granting of sundry aid, running consultation centres, recognition of new “Schools” and free help and assistance.
Article 4 – Composition
The Association is made up of company and individual members.
In order to be a member you first need to have been proposed by a recognised “School” of the AMP. You then have to be accredited by the AMP Council (Board). The Council of the AMP can also directly accredit members without prior nomination by a recognised “School”.
The title of member of honour or the title honorary member may be granted by the Council of the AMP to persons who provide or have provided services brought to the attention of the AMP. These titles confer the right on those persons who have obtained them to take part in the Assembly with voting rights and without having to pay any fee. These persons can therefore vote at the various assemblies.
Finally, it is specified that the members of the Association “Foundation of the Freudian Field” are members of the AMP as of right and are entitled to vote at the assemblies.
Article 5 – Resources
- the resources of the World Association of Psychoanalysis (AMP) include :
- – the fees from its members and any entrance charges.
- – revenues from assets or other values held.
- – any subsidies from local authorities or funding provided by public or private organisations.
- – any payments for services rendered.
- – any other resources authorised by regulatory or legislative law.
- These resources are recorded in accounts. Accounts shall be kept that annually show the profit or operating account, the profit over the period and a balance sheet.
Article 6 – Loss of membership.
Loss of membership comes about as a result of 1: loss of membership by a recognised school; 2: resignation; 3: non-payment of fee; 4: being struck off for some serious reason decided by the Board (Council)of the AMP. The member in question is invited beforehand to provide explanations
II Administration and functioning
Article 7 – Board of Directors
- World Association of Psychoanalysis (AMP) is administered by sixteen members who include:
- – eight administrators elected by the General Assembly of the AMP and eight other administrators who are members chosen by the “Foundation of the Freudian Field” Foundation set up in 1979 and whose members are members of the AMP as of right.
- The members of the Board of directors (named AMP Council) must be members of the Association and up to date with their fees at the time of the election. Each member of the AMP Council is elected for 4 years by the Assembly (OGA, or Ordinary General Assembly).
- The Chair, who must be a member of the Association, chairs the Board of Directors (Council) and is chosen from among its members. d) Outgoing members are re-eligible.
- Each administrator may only hold one proxy in addition to his/her vote.
- The Board chooses from among its members and by secret ballot, an Executive Committee ( named Bureau) that, in addition to the Chair of the Board of Directors, includes a Secretary and a Treasurer.
- The Bureau is elected for two years. The functions of the Bureau are those classical functions of a treasurer (membership, asset management, accounting, capital management, accounting), and Association Secretary (keeping the Member’s Register, deliberations and minutes).
- The members of the Board of Directors ( Council) may not receive any payment for the tasks that are conferred on them. Reimbursement of expenses is possible.
- Replacements for members of the Board of Directors can be nominated on the same basis as for administrators.
Article 8 – Board of Directors (Council), deliberation collaborations.
The meetings of the Board of Directors may be held in the form of a video conference.
The Board meets at least once a year and each time that is called by its Chair or at the request of a quarter of the members of the Association.
The presence of at least a third of the members of the Board of Directors is necessary for the deliberations to be valid.
Minutes are kept of the meetings.
The minutes are signed by the Chair and the Secretary. They are drawn up without gaps or deletions on numbered pages and kept at the Association’s head office (AMP).
Board decisions are taken by the simple majority voting of the members presented or represented.
In principle, the Board is competent for everything which is not reserved under the articles of association to the Assemblies or to the Chair.
In particular, the Board elects the Bureau in accordance with article 7, ensures that the decisions of the Assembly are implemented, prepares the budget and the business report read at the General Assembly and, generally speaking, ensure the proper functioning of the Association.
In the event of a tied vote, the Chair shall have the casting vote. The Board may delegate some of its powers.
Neither the members of the Board of Directors nor the Chair may receive payment for any of the functions that are granted to them.
Article 9 – The Chair
The Chair elected by the Board of Directors calls the meetings of the Board of Directors and the Assemblies.
S/he represents the Association in all civil matters. S/he concludes everyday contracts on behalf of the Association, employs and dismisses, etc.
S/he authorises expenditure. S/he may delegate subject to the conditions that are laid down in the internal regulations.
S/he has the capacity to appear in legal matters. For Court appearances, the Chair can only be replaced by a representative acting pursuant to a special proxy. The Chair and the representatives of the Association, in general, must enjoy the full use of their civil rights.
Article 10 – Special deliberations of the Board of Directors (Council), notably in property matters.
The deliberations of the Boards of Directors in relation to the acquisition, exchange and disposal of property necessary for the aims pursued by the Association, establishment of mortgages on the said properties, leases that exceed nine years, disposal of assets donated or borrowed must be approved by the General Assembly.
Article 11 – Ordinary General Assembly (AGO).
The general assembly of the Association includes the members of the Association.
Only those members who are up to date with their membership fees may vote at ordinary and extraordinary assemblies. However, exceptionally, members of honour or honorary members may vote without having to pay a fee.
The Assembly meets once a year and each time that it is called by the Board of Directors or at the request of at least a quarter of its members representing at least a quarter of the votes.
Its agenda is, in principle, set by the Board of Directors.
It chooses the (Assembly Bureau), which can, by default, be that of the Board of Directors.
It hears the reports on the management of the Board of Directors and the financial and business situation of the Association.
It approves the accounts for the previous financial year, votes the budget for the next financial year, decides on the issues that appear on the agenda and renews the mandate of the members of the Board of Directors, if necessary.
Vote is by the simple majority of those present or represented and therefore 50% of the vote plus one without the requirement for a quorum. The provisions are identical to those for Ordinary Assemblies and Ordinary Assemblies meeting extraordinarily, in the case of any emergency, for example.
There is no limit to the number of proxies held by members. Minutes are kept of the meetings.
The minutes are signed by the Chair and the Secretary of the Executive Committee ( Bureau). They are drawn up without gaps or deletions on numbered pages and kept at the Association’s head office.
The annual report and the accounts are available to any voting member at the Association’s head office. They may be sent by any electronic means (e-mail).
Unless the previous article applies, paid agents of the Association are not admitted to the General Assembly. However, they may be called by the Chair to attend the meetings of any assembly or board meeting for consultative purposes.
Article 12 – Links between AMP and the Foundation of the Freudian Field
It is reminded that every two years the “Foundation of the Freudian Field,” an Association set up in 1979, appoints the same number of administrators as those chosen by the General Assembly.
Article 13 –
In the event of fixed capital, all fixed capital is placed in nominative titles, in titles for which the nominative references schedule is established pursuant to the provisions of article 55 of law n°87-416 dated 17th June 1987 on savings or values accepted by the Bank of France as collateral.
Article 14 –
Annual accounts are prepared on an annual basis showing profit and loss, the overall profit from the period and a balance sheet. These accounts are approved by the ordinary General Assembly.
Article 15 – Modification of the articles of association by the Extraordinary General Assembly (EGA)
The articles of association can only be modified by an extraordinary general assembly upon the proposal of the Board of Directors or a tenth of the members that comprise the general Assembly representing at least a tenth of the votes.
In both cases, these proposals for modifications are recorded on the agenda for the Extraordinary General meeting and should be sent to members one month in advance.
The Assembly should be composed of at least a quarter of all current members. If this proportion is not reached, the Assembly is called again but with a fifteen day interval and, this time, it may validly deliberate regardless of the members present or represented. In any event, the articles of association can only be modified by the majority of the members present or represented.
Article 16 – Dissolution by extraordinary General Assembly (EGA)
The General Assembly is called to rule on the dissolution of the Association. It is specially called for this purpose pursuant to the conditions set out in the previous article. It should include at least a quarter of all current members.
If this proportion is not reached, the Assembly is called again but with a fifteen day interval and, this time, it may validly deliberate regardless of the members present or represented.
In any event, dissolution may only be voted by a majority of the members present or represented.
Article 17 – Dissolution liquidation
In the event of dissolution, the extraordinary general assembly appoints one or more auditors who are tasked with realising the assets, paying off liabilities and proceeding with the liquidation of the Association’s assets. It is specified that payment of liabilities shall not come about until any recovery of any contributions by contributors or successors in title. It attributes the net assets to one or more similar institutions or to any body that is designated by the extraordinary assembly.
Article 18 – Supervision and internal regulations
The Chair or, by default, any person with a proxy must, within a period of three months, notify the prefecture of the department or the sub-prefecture of the urban district where the Association has its head office of any changes that have arisen in the administration or management of the Association.
The internal regulations are prepared and adopted by the Board of Directors. They are modified by the board of directors. They are sent to the Prefecture in the department by the Board of Directors.
The internal regulations are a vital addition to the articles of association. They elaborate on, and complete, the articles of association. Members must comply with these internal regulations. The internal regulations are kept at the Association’s head office where they may be consulted or else posted out on request.
Article 19 – Disputes
In the event of any disputes and where the articles of association are silent on the matter, the advice of the Chair person or the Editor of the Statutes will be preferred and will be required beforehand for amicable purposes before any legal proceedings are initiated. Reference will be made to French legislation or to uses and practices in relation to associations in the event of any disputes between members of the Association.
Made in Paris, on the 29 April 2008