Constitution of Kurdish Students Worldwide (KSW)

Article I – Name

The name of the organization shall be Kurdish Students Worldwide (KSW), hereinafter referred to as "the Association."

Article II – Nature of the Association

1. The Association is an international, student-led organization.
2. The Association is independent, non-partisan, and non-religious.
3. The Association as an international body shall operate in accordance with applicable international standards and general legal principles. Individual chapters or local affiliates that are recognized by, registered with, or operating under a university, student union, or similar institution shall be responsible for complying with all applicable university regulations, student union policies, and local laws within their respective jurisdictions.

Article III – Limitation of Liability

1. The Association shall not be held liable for any actions, omissions, or conduct of its members, officers, local chapters, or affiliated organizations, except where required by applicable law.
2. The Association does not assume responsibility for:
   a. The activities, statements, or representations made by individual members or local chapters;
   b. Any loss, damage, or injury arising from participation in Association activities or events;
   c. The failure of members or local chapters to comply with applicable laws, regulations, or institutional policies.
3. Participation in the Association and its activities is voluntary, and members assume personal responsibility for their actions and involvement.
4. Nothing in this Article shall exclude or limit liability where such exclusion is prohibited by applicable law.

Article IV – Aims and Objectives

The aims and objectives of the Association are:

1. Promoting Kurdish cultural awareness, preservation, and shared heritage in an inclusive and non-partisan manner.
2. Providing academic, social, and professional support to members.
3. Increasing the visibility and representation of Kurdish students within academic institutions and broader student communities.
4. Facilitating networking, mentorship, collaboration, and mutual support among Kurdish students globally.
5. To unite Kurdish students enrolled in higher education institutions worldwide.
6. To organize conferences, forums, workshops, and events for the academic, cultural, and professional development of members.
7. To foster constructive engagement with the Kurdish Professionals Group for mentorship and career development purposes.

Article V – Definition of Kurdish Identity

1. For the purposes of this Constitution, a "Kurd" is defined as any individual who self-identifies as Kurdish.
2. The Association shall uphold principles of equality and shall not discriminate on the basis on belief, disability, gender, nationality, sexual orientation, or political opinion.

Article VI – Secular and Non-Religious Status

1. The Association shall have no religious affiliation.
2. The Association shall not promote, oppose, or endorse any religious doctrine, nor permit religious proselytization under its name.
3. Members shall not express, promote, or impose personal religious opinions in a manner that represents the Association or disrupts its secular nature.

Article VII – Membership

Section 1: Eligibility

Membership shall be open to individuals who:

1. Self-identify as Kurdish in accordance with Article IV; and
2. Are currently enrolled as students in a recognized higher education institution.

Former members who graduate while in good standing may be granted access to a designated Association alumni network or alumni channel, subject to guidelines established by the Founders or future governing body. Such alumni participation shall be non-voting and non-governing in nature.

Alumni, graduates, and non-students that have not been affiliated with the Association are not eligible for membership and are encouraged to look for other suitable groups.

Section 2: Admission

1. Applications for membership shall be submitted through an official Association application form.
2. Applications shall be reviewed and approved by the Executive Board or its delegated officers.
3. Members of officially recognized Kurdish student organizations may be admitted through a streamlined process upon approval of their local organization by the Association.

Section 3: Rights and Duties of Members

Activation of member rights and duties, including voting rights and eligibility for office, shall occur once the Association reaches an appropriate size and organizational maturity, as determined by the Founders or future governing body.

Until such activation, participation in Association activities shall be governed by interim guidelines issued by the Founders.

Section 4: Membership Engagement and Participation

1. Membership in the Association implies an interest in, and willingness to engage with, the Kurdish student community in a constructive and respectful manner.
2. Members are encouraged to participate, as reasonably able, in Association discussions, mentorship initiatives, networking activities, and mutual support efforts.
3. As part of the onboarding process, members may be requested to submit a brief self-introduction in a designated community channel or forum, in accordance with guidelines issued by the Founders or governing body.
4. Members are expected to engage in dialogue that is respectful and inclusive, recognizing differences in cultural background, language or dialect, belief systems, regional identity, and political perspectives within the Kurdish community.

Article VIII – Equity, Inclusion, and Representation

1. The Association is committed to principles of equity, inclusion, and mutual respect among all members.
2. The Association shall embrace and respect diversity within the Kurdish student community, including but not limited to differences in gender, belief systems, languages and dialects, political views, regional backgrounds, and lived experiences.
3. No single individual, subgroup, chapter, or viewpoint shall claim to represent the Kurdish community as a whole through the Association.
4. The Association shall strive to ensure balanced and inclusive representation in its activities, discussions, and leadership structures, recognizing the diversity of perspectives within the Kurdish student population.
5. The Association shall prioritize unity, cooperation, and constructive dialogue, and shall not permit actions or rhetoric that promote division, exclusion, or factionalism under its name.
6. All members are expected to engage with one another in a manner that upholds dignity, inclusivity, free speech, and the collective well-being of the Association.

Article IX – Conduct and Removal

1. Members of the Association are expected to uphold the values, standards, and provisions set forth in this Constitution, as well as any applicable Code of Conduct or interim guidelines issued by the Founders or governing body.
2. Alleged violations of this Constitution, the Code of Conduct, or established expectations may be reported to the Association's leadership, or to the Executive Board once constituted. Reports should, where possible, identify the individual involved and provide relevant information or context regarding the concern.
3. Upon receipt of a report, the Association's leadership shall review the matter in a fair, impartial, and confidential manner, taking into account the nature and severity of the alleged conduct.
4. Following review, the Association's leadership may take one of the following actions, as deemed appropriate:
   a. No action, where the concern is determined to be unfounded or minor in nature;
   b. Issuance of a formal warning, indicating that continued or repeated violations may result in further action;
   c. Removal of the individual from the Association, including revocation of access to affiliated groups, platforms, or activities.
5. Decisions regarding disciplinary action shall be made with due consideration for fairness, proportionality, and the well-being of the Association and its members.
6. During the founding phase of the Association, disciplinary authority shall rest with the Founders. Upon establishment of a formal governing body, such authority shall be exercised in accordance with procedures defined in the bylaws.

Article X – Governance Structure

Section 1: General Assembly

1. The General Assembly shall consist of all registered members of the Association.
2. The General Assembly shall be the overall decision-making body of the Association.

Section 2: College Representatives Council

1. The Association shall maintain a College Representatives Council composed of one representative from each recognized Kurdish student organization affiliated with a higher education institution.
2. Representatives should ordinarily be elected officers or board members of their respective local organizations.
3. The Council shall serve as a consultative and coordinating body between local organizations and the Executive Board.

Section 3: Executive Board

1. The Executive Board shall be responsible for the administration and management of the Association.
2. Members of the Executive Board shall be elected by the General Assembly.
3. The composition, powers, duties, and terms of office of the Executive Board shall be defined in the bylaws.

Article XI – Elections and Decision-Making

1. All elections and major decisions shall be conducted in accordance with democratic principles.
2. Procedures for elections, voting, quorums, and removal from office shall be set out in the bylaws.
3. Alumni cannot vote in accordance with Article VII.

Article XII – Amendments

1. Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed by the Executive Board or by a written petition of members.
2. Amendments shall require approval by a two-thirds majority of votes cast at a duly convened General Assembly meeting.

Article XIII – Founders' Reserve Authority and Intervention Powers

1. In order to safeguard the continuity, integrity, and foundational objectives of the Association, the Founders shall retain residual and reserve authority to intervene in the affairs of the Association when deemed necessary.
2. Such intervention authority may be exercised at any time, including after the establishment of formal governing bodies, where the Founders determine in good faith that:
   a. The Association's core purpose, values, or constitutional principles are at risk;
   b. Governance structures are unable or unwilling to act effectively; or
   c. Immediate action is required to protect the Association's operations, reputation, or compliance obligations.
3. Intervention by the Founders may include, but is not limited to:
   a. Temporary suspension or reversal of decisions made by officers, committees, or chapters;
   b. Issuance of binding directives or interim measures;
   c. Appointment, removal, or restructuring of leadership on an interim basis;
   d. Clarification or temporary suspension of internal policies or procedures.
4. Founders exercising reserve authority shall do so in a manner that is proportionate, transparent where feasible, and consistent with the aims, equity principles, and non-discrimination provisions of this Constitution.
5. Reserve authority is intended as an extraordinary safeguard and shall not replace ordinary democratic governance.
6. Nothing in this Article shall be interpreted as permitting conduct that violates applicable law or binding university regulations at the chapter level.

This Constitution shall enter into force upon its adoption by the founding members of Kurdish Students Worldwide (KSW).