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Friends of the Earth International is highly decentralized: it is made up of autonomous organizations, with a shared analysis of the root causes of today's most pressing environmental problems.
Roughly half of the 73 member organizations call themselves "Friends of the Earth" in their own languages; the others use different names. Friends of the Earth International is democratic: every two years there is a week-long general meeting where the policies and activities of the federation are decided, and in which all members have an equal say.
The Biennial General Meeting (BGM) elects an Executive Committee (ExCom) and confirms the International Program Coordinators (IPCs) positions.
The Excom is made up of a Chairperson, directly elected by the BGM; a representative of the organization hosting the next BGM; and representatives of up to seven member groups. We aim for the greatest possible balance of gender and regional representation. The role of the ExCom is to ensure the sound governance of the federation. It meets regularly between BGMs. It also employs and oversees a small International Secretariat in Amsterdam to support Friends of the Earth International´s work and member groups.
Eight International program coordinators coorodinate Friends of the Earth International´s four international programs. Each program is facilitated by two IPCs. Within each program, IPCs are assisted by a steering group composed of representatives from member groups from different regions. IPCs are also assisted by a program team, based in the international secretariat. IPCs are hosted by different Friends of the Earth member groups around the world. This ensures that our international program work remains rooted in the local reality of our member groups and the struggles they are involved in.
Friends of the Earth International participates in a number of issue-oriented networks. It has consultative status with ECOSOC (the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations) and all relevant UN bodies.
Image: Friends of the Earth International BGM group photo 2018