Preamble

The Regional Arab Network Against AIDS (RANAA) brings together national networks made up of different civil society organisations acting in various action fields (health, social education, community development, environment, youth, women, etc).
This network was created in December 2002 as a framework which facilitates coordination, experience exchange & putting together human & material resources. The main objective is reinforcing the fight against AIDS at the national, regional & international levels to face the imminent risk of AIDS epidemic in the region.

Article 1 – Setting up & amending the internal rules

The undersigned, acting as founding members of the network (RANAA) have established as follows the text of the internal regulations, which complements the Network Charter.
The amendment of the present regulations can only be done at a meeting of the signatory members of the Charter with the necessary quorum being of the two-thirds. Deliberations are made with a two-third majority.

Article 2 – Members

The RANAA consists of national networks made up of community associations, NGOs, including those acting in favour of specific groups, people living with HIV/AIDS (PlHIV), along with various other movements of the civil society.
Adherence to RANAA is open to any national network which wishes to do so in writing. The adherence is presented for acceptance of the Regional Committee of RANAA during its next meeting. It is manifested by the formal ratification of the RANAA Charter.
Countries that have not so far created a national network of civil society organizations against AIDA, can be represented by an association co-opted by at least two national associations.

Article 3 – Organs

The permanent organs of RANAA are the Regional Committee & the permanent Secretariat of the Network.
The Regional Committee consists of all member national networks. Each national network is represented by the Head of the national network or his/her mandatory. Each national network is entitled to a unique vote cast if needed.
RANAA meets at least once a year & whenever it is necessary. It is chaired by the oldest present member. The Regional Committee debates & adopts the annual activity report prepared & presented by the permanent Secretariat. The Regional Committee deliberates on the agenda issues & rules on the new members’ adherence applications.
The Permanent Secretariat is the executive organ of RANAA. It is responsible for representation vis-à-vis partners. It also ensures circulation of information useful to the member association participants & the management of RANAA’s website.
The Permanent Secretariat consists of the national network member elected by the Regional Committee for a 2-year mandate that can be renewed in succession only once.
The Permanent Secretariat is expected to draw up an annual activity report to be presented at the Regional Committee’s annual meeting.

Article 4 – Ressources

RANAA is a framework of dialogue & mutual strengthening between national networks & other NGOs thanks to gathering of information, expertise & resources available in the region. It is regarded as a means to improve their achievement in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
The human & material resources necessary to the functioning of the Permanent Secretariat are provided by the elected organisation which houses it.
Other resources are sought from various sources for carrying out RANAA’s programmes & activities. They shall be managed in transparency & with due respect to enforced administrative & accounting procedures.