FAIB ... be international - in Belgium !

Definition

The FAIB is the Federation of European and International Associations established in Belgium. It has no political objectives and no profit-making intent.

Its purposes are:
1. To take and to pursue every initiative which encourages European and international associations to be established and to remain in Belgium.
2. To study, to further and to defend the interests – both moral and material – of its members, without being involved in their activities. The FAIB represents its members to third parties and defends their interests, notably to all public and private bodies.
3. To obtain, by concerted action, official legal recognition of associations and the associative movement by Belgian, European and international authorities.
4. To help to obtain every possible measure likely to facilitate the activities of its members.
5. To assist its members in the organization of their activities, especially by setting up joint studies, administrative and auxiliary services, etc.
6. To keep its members informed of developments in legal and administrative spheres which affect them

History

The FAIB was founded in 1949 as an initiative of the leaders of the Union of International Associations (UIA )who wished to draw the attention of official authorities to the existence in Belgium of international associations and to the need to facilitate their activities.

The FAIB has been presided over by great men of state, such as Paul Van Zeeland, Albert Lilar and Pierre Harmel, wishing to promote the development of international life in Belgium. While preserving the initials FAIB, in 2004 the Federation added to its name the word ‘European’ to emphasize the European character of the majority of its members.

Administration

The FAIB is directed by its General Assembly and managed by an Executive Committee composed of representatives of member associations. The FAIB is mainly financed by the subscriptions of its members.

Members

The members of the FAIB are associations or organizations whose membership, purposes or activities have a truly European or international character and are non-profit-making. The FAIB counts among its members a thoroughly diverse range of associations: professional federations, cultural and scientific associations, youth organizations, others with sporting, religious, or philanthropic interests, etc.

FAIB has four categories of members:

1. Full members: European and international organizations legally or effectively established in Belgium on a permanent basis or for the time being.
2. Associate members: people or corporate bodies who by their membership affirm their interest in the federation and offer their support.
3. Honorary members: persons on whom the General Assembly confers this title in recognition of their special competency or the distinguished service they have rendered to the Federation.
4. Supporting members: people or corporate bodies who support the Federation financially.

Achievements and activities

The FAIB has successfully pursued a variety of activities on behalf of European and international associations, for example:
· The creation, in 1983, with the co-operation of the Belgian government, of an International Association Centre (IAC) situated at 40 rue Washington, 1050 Brussels, with an extension at 1 rue Defacqz. The FAIB has its headquarters at the IAC. The Centre houses the secretariats of several European and international associations and offers all modern facilities for the organization of meetings, seminars and conferences.
· The modification, in December 1954, of the law of October 25th 1919 governing international associations with scientific aims, in order to extend this law to international associations with philanthropic, religious, artistic and pedagogic aims.
· Close collaboration in the work of government services and with Parliament drawing up the new law of May 2nd 2002 on non-profit associations, international non-profit associations and foundations.

Within the limitations imposed by its resources and the priorities fixed by the members, the FAIB carries out the following activities:

· Following up the application of certain clauses of the law of May 2nd 2002.
· The study of legal problems and fiscal questions in general and in particular and continuing the regular series of socio-economic surveys on European and international associations founded in Belgium.
· Establishing and maintaining relationships with social partners in Belgium and with the services of the European Union.
· Establishing and maintaining relations with federations of European and international associations based in other countries.
· Organization of visits to towns and conference centres in all parts of the world.
· Publication of a quarterly newsletter, FAIB NEWS.

Advantages exclusive to member associations of FAIB:

· Consultation, free of charge, electronically, of the “Practical Guide for the use of European and International Associations established in Belgium”.
· Participation, at a special reduced rate, in the lunch debates, conferences and seminars organized with experts on topics of common interest: taxation, computerization, legal and economic questions, conference organization, administrative procedure for securing national and/or European subsidies, etc.
· Individual consultation and advice on all questions, whether specific or general.
· Access to IAC services – IAC, 40 rue Washington, 1050 Brussels – domiciliation, hire of offices and meeting rooms and use of computer equipment.
· Special rates for participation in FAIB activities and for access to IAC services.
· Preferential rates for certain publications.

How to become a member of the FAIB

Members of the FAIB are European and/or international organizations based in Belgium. Membership of the FAIB as a full member is subject to the following conditions:

· Having a European or an international nature.
· Being founded on a permanent basis.
· Being without any intent of making profit.
· Having an honourable aim and pursuing this genuinely, in practice.
· Having a healthy financial situation, and being able to prove that the acquisition, management and use of the financial resources are honestly carried out.

An Admissions Committee examines the applications for membership. In order to allow this Committee to study the applications submitted, associations applying are asked to send in the following documents:

· Statutes
· Names of the members of the executive committee
· A copy of the most recent financial accounts
· A copy of the most recent report of activities.

In addition the members of the Committee may make inquiries by contacting the persons involved and pose any further questions which they think appropriate. The Committee reports to the Executive Committee, which makes a decision on the applications received. An annual subscription is levied: the amount is decided by the General Assembly.