Joining the network
Local services, public and private bodies and non-governmental organizations that manage specialized programs and services in Italy for the rehabilitation of survivors of torture and other serious forms of intentional violence can join the Network.
The Network is also open to membership from organizations that are active in the field of torture but do not directly manage survivor rehabilitation programs and services. In this case, members assume the status of Observers and do not take part in the decisions of the Assembly of Members.
Finally, individual experts on the issues of torture and the rehabilitation of survivors can also join the Network as Observers.
The membership request must be addressed to the Secretariat of the Network and requires the signing of the Document of Intent by the legal representative of the member organization. The Assembly of Members decides by majority vote on the membership requests submitted.
organisms
The Assembly of Associates is made up of 1 representative (or his/her substitute) for each of the entities that adhere to the Network. The Assembly meets at least once a year, is responsible for defining the annual activity plan and monitoring its implementation, approving and modifying the Internal Regulations, deciding on the entry and exclusion of associates and observers and appointing the Secretariat and Committee of Experts. All decisions are taken by a majority of participants, although the possibility of reaching decisions through unanimous consensus will be constantly sought.
The Secretariat is coordinated by an associated entity and a substitute, who are appointed by the Assembly for a period of 2 years (at the end of which, the substitute entity is proposed for the role of coordinator). The Secretariat is responsible for ensuring the implementation of the annual plan, promoting the correct distribution of work among all associates.
The Committee of Experts is made up of a maximum of 9 experts on the issues of torture and rehabilitation of survivors, with a multidisciplinary composition, who are appointed by the Assembly for a renewable 2-year mandate. The experts are independent and therefore cannot hold positions in the association bodies or in the operational staff of the associated entities. The Committee of Experts supports the activities of the Network in the field of scientific research, representation and advocacy towards institutions, dissemination and awareness.
activity
Every year the Assembly adopts an activity plan and entrusts its coordination to the Secretariat, which coordinates the contribution of all associated entities. The plan also includes a forecast of any out-of-pocket costs necessary for the activities and a proposal for their fair distribution among the members. The planning takes into account the availability of time and resources that each member can make available to the Network.
The Secretariat is responsible for coordinating the collection of some basic information on rehabilitation programs and awareness-raising activities of the Members, which allow the production of an Annual Report on the rehabilitation of torture survivors in Italy. The Report is published every year, on the occasion of the International Day Against Torture (June 26).
The Network has its own website, which contains an information section on the topic of torture, the list of Members and the methods of membership, as well as documentation on the initiatives promoted by the Network and its Members and the advocacy campaigns launched.
Finally, the Network intends to organize at least one annual event, intended as a space for scientific discussion among its members and/or for public awareness on the issues of rehabilitation of torture survivors.
