IOSTE Letters

The International Organization for Science and Technology Education is an international organization which aims to encourage informed debate, reflection on and research into science and technology (S&T) education.
IOSTE was established in 1979 to promote contact and dialogue across political and ideological borders. A key concern is that education in S&T should be a vital part of the general education of the peoples of all countries.
IOSTE has a board (committee) with representation from all regions of the world, and convenes international as well as regional symposia. These symposia provide for scholarly exchange and collaboration.
The symposia gather researchers, policy makers, teachers and others who are concerned about how science and technology can contribute to the outlined in our mission statement.

Activities
IOSTE convenes international and (in cooperation with other partners) regional symposia for debate and dialogue on issues related to the aims of the Organization. These symposia provide for scholarly exchange, discussion and other initiatives. The symposia aim at gathering researchers, policy makers, teachers and others who are concerned about how S&T education can contribute to IOSTE’s mission.

Mission Statement
IOSTE identifies science and technology education with the real and changing needs of humankind as a whole and with specific needs of its component communities and nations.
IOSTE considers that S&T education should:

• Highlight education for citizenship and informed, critical and active participation in democracy
• Stress the relationship between science, technology and society
• Emphasize the cultural and human values of S&T
• Promote equity in S&T and S&T education
• Promote sustainable development; contribute to the fight against poverty, discrimination and injustice
• Encourage the peaceful and ethical use of S&T in the service of humankind
• Encourage cultural diversity and international understanding through S&T education
• Stimulate international collaboration in the domains of research and development and promote cooperation with other international organizations.

Constitution of IOSTE
Membership Fees
The membership fee is set by the Committee of the Organization
This fee is included in the cost of registration in international symposia convened by the Committee

Functions of all IOSTE members

• To promote the aims of IOSTE within their regions.
• To inform the secretary of major regional activities of interest to IOSTE members worldwide.
• To elect the regional representatives

The Committee shall convene during each Symposium a Plenary Session of the Organization. The Plenary Session is a meeting open to all members of the Organization, which:

• Elects the regional representatives to the Committee
• Endorses recommendations for and amendments to the constitution of the Organization which may be proposed by the Committee
• Receives the financial statement of the Organization
• Makes recommendations to the Committee on broad policy directions for the Organization

The Committee

• Serves as the decision making body of the Organization
• Sets the main directions of the Organization
• Recommends as necessary, amendments to the Constitution to the Plenary Session of the Organization
• Elects the Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson and Secretary/Treasurer of the IOSTE
• Determines the host organization and planning committee for each symposium

The Committee comprises:

• A person representing members of the Organization from each region of the world in which the Organization has members
• Others co-opted by majority vote of the Committee

The Chairperson, Deputy-Chairperson and Secretary/Treasurer are elected by the outgoing Committee to serve until the conclusion of the next Symposium. The Chairperson and the Secretary/Treasurer should not hold regional Committee representation.
The Chairperson of IOSTE cannot hold office for more than two consecutive terms. Upon conclusion of his tenure the outgoing Chairperson becomes a member of the Committee for one term.
The regional representatives are nominated by those present from their regions at the Symposium and elected to serve until the conclusion of the next Symposium by the Symposium participants meeting in Plenary Session.
Vacancies on the Committee are filled at the outset of a Symposium by co-option by majority vote of the Committee members present.
When circumstances necessitate a decision be made by the Committee between Symposia, the Chairperson consults with the Committee by mail, including a ballot outlining options. In this case decision is by majority vote of the Committee.

Executive

• Consists of the Chairperson, the Deputy Chairperson and the Secretary/Treasurer of the Organisation and the Chairpersons of the immediately preceding and forthcoming Symposia

The members of the Executive act between Committee meetings to carry out the decisions of the Committee.

Functions of the Executive
Chairperson

• To chair all IOSTE executive and general meetings
• Jointly (with the Secretary-Treasurer) to approve all IOSTE expenditure
• To act as IOSTE spokesperson in all official relationships with other international bodies
• Communicate between symposia with the members of the Committee and undertake tasks assigned by the Committee

Deputy Chairperson

• The Deputy Chairperson assists the Chairperson

Secretary-Treasurer

• To maintain records of business conducted at all IOSTE executive and general meetings
• Jointly (with the chairman) to approve all IOSTE expenditure
• To be responsible for the payment of all accounts, and to maintain a record of such expenditure
• To prepare a statement of expenditure for the previous periods between symposia and to prepare a budget proposal for anticipated expenditures for the next period between symposia