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Statutes

«ὁ ἄνθρωπος φύσει πολιτικὸν ζῷον.»
(Aristotle, Politics I, 1253a2)

Preamble

The association “Politeiai – dalla polis alla res publica” was established with the aim of promoting the study, research, and dissemination of the political cultures and institutional traditions of the ancient world, in the awareness that historical and philological inquiry constitutes a fundamental instrument for understanding the forms of civic life and the processes through which political communities are constructed.Recent studies on the political models of antiquity appear to be developing along two divergent lines: on the one hand, the renewed interest in Aristotle’s Politics, a foundational work of political science situated at the threshold between the world of the poleis and the emergence of the Hellenistic kingdoms; on the other hand, the decreasing attention devoted to the unprecedented form, within the Mediterranean context, of the Roman res publica. Aware of this historiographical imbalance, the association places at the centre of its activities the parallel and comparative study of ancient political and institutional forms, together with an in-depth examination of the first great treatise of political science, whose theoretical scope, historical rootedness, and capacity to illuminate the long-term transformations of political cultures it seeks to enhance. The analysis — intended to counter every form of simplification — of the reception and reinterpretation of these models in subsequent centuries up to the contemporary age, as well as the application of new technologies to ancient texts, understood as tools capable of opening new perspectives for their interpretation, transmission, and dissemination, are included within the association’s cultural and scientific programme.The association is conceived as an independent research institute and study centre aimed at fostering scientific cooperation, the training of students and young scholars, and the enhancement of the cultural heritage of antiquity, while at the same time promoting public access to knowledge and scholarly debate.

Article 1 – Name

An association named

“Politeiai – dalla polis alla res publica”, abbreviated as “Politeiai”, is hereby established.

The association shall use the acronym “ETS” (Third Sector Entity) following its registration in the National Single Register of the Third Sector (RUNTS).

 

Article 2 – Headquarters

The association has its headquarters in the Municipality of Parma.

The Executive Committee may establish operational offices, sections, or representative branches elsewhere. In France, the representative branch is established in Strasbourg.

 

Article 3 – Duration

The association is established for an indefinite period.

 

Article 4 – Purposes

The association is a non-profit organisation pursuing civic, solidarity-based, and social utility purposes.

It operates as:

  • an independent research institute;
  • a study centre dedicated to the development, promotion, and dissemination of Classical Studies and the sciences of antiquity, including the reception of the ancient world in the medieval, modern, and contemporary periods;
  • a space for education and cultural outreach (through all modern means available to the general public, including publications, podcasts, audio and video documentaries, film and theatre festivals, etc.),

with particular attention devoted to access to culture for vulnerable persons or individuals at risk of exclusion.

 

Article 5 – Activities of General Interest

The association carries out activities of general interest pursuant to Article 5 of the Third Sector Code, principally including:

  1. the promotion and conduct of scientific research, including in cooperation with universities, research bodies, and cultural institutions, in the fields of the sciences of antiquity, the history of political thought, and the application of new technologies to ancient texts, with particular attention to the Greek polis world, the Hellenistic East, and the Roman Republic, as well as to their reception in historical, political, and cultural contexts up to the contemporary period;
  2. the establishment and management of a specialised library focused on the association’s fields of study, intended to become an essential complement to existing collections not only at the local level, together with scientific documentation resources accessible to scholars, students, and the interested public;
  3. the organisation of courses, seminars, conferences, workshops, and educational programmes;
  4. support for the training of university students and young researchers;
  5. the promotion of national and international scientific cooperation, including through the development of interdisciplinary, digital, and educational projects;
  6. the hosting of fellows and scholars for the preparation and development of national and European research projects;
  7. the dissemination of research results through publications and digital tools;
  8. the promotion of lifelong learning and cultural citizenship;
  9. educational activities addressed to the general public, with particular attention to elderly persons, vulnerable individuals, and persons at risk of social exclusion;
  10. the establishment of an international network for the preparation and submission to UNESCO of a dossier concerning the recognition of the ancient Mediterranean as cultural heritage (sites and routes), with the dual objective:
    1. of promoting the historical and heritage recognition of the political and commercial communities of the ancient Mediterranean — from urban foundations to the construction of communication routes, from the study of land and maritime routes to the enhancement of underwater archaeology and Mediterranean landscapes throughout the entire Mediterranean area;
    2. of developing an international perspective highlighting the diplomatic dimension, both ancient and contemporary, as an instrument of peace and cooperation among the peoples of the Mediterranean.

 

The association may also carry out other activities within the limits permitted by law and according to criteria established by the Executive Committee.

 

Article 6 – Politeiai Study Centre

The Politeiai Study Centre is hereby established within the association as a permanent scientific structure.

The Study Centre:

  • coordinates research activities;
  • manages the library and scientific infrastructures;
  • promotes academic collaborations;
  • organises study days and conferences on a regular basis;
  • promotes activities aimed at enhancing the historical and cultural heritage of antiquity.

 

The Study Centre operates under the supervision of the Executive Committee, assisted by the Scientific Committee.

 

Article 7 – Members

Natural or legal persons who share the purposes of the association may become members. Admission is decided by the Executive Committee.

The following categories of membership are established:

  1. Ordinary members – participate in the life of the association;
  2. Supporting members – contribute financially to the association;
  3. Student members – benefit from a reduced membership fee;
  4. Institutional members – subject to a membership fee established by agreement, specifying any joint activities;
  5. Honorary members – appointed in recognition of scientific or cultural merit.

 

Membership fees are determined annually by the Executive Committee.

 

Article 8 – Rights and Duties of Members

Members have the right to information, to participate in the General Assembly, and to vote.

They are required to comply with the statutes, pay the membership fee, and contribute to the life of the association.

 

Article 9 – Bodies of the Association

The bodies of the association are:

  • the General Assembly of Members;
  • the Executive Committee;
  • the President;
  • the Scientific Committee;
  • the Director of the Study Centre (if appointed).

 

Article 10 – General Assembly

The General Assembly is the sovereign body of the association.

It approves the financial statements, elects the Executive Committee, and deliberates on the general guidelines of the association.

Upon proposal of the Executive Committee (as referred to in Article 11), it decides on the admission of new members, the exclusion of members in cases of serious violation of the statutes and of the ethical principles upon which the association is founded, or in the event of non-payment of the membership fee for two consecutive years, as well as on the dissolution of the association.

The quorum required for the Assembly to validly convene is the simple majority of registered members; once such quorum has been reached, the Assembly may validly deliberate. Decisions are adopted by a simple majority of the members present.

The General Assembly meets at least twice a year, in person and/or remotely, upon convocation by the President.

 

Article 11 – Executive Committee

The Executive Committee is composed of five to nine members.

Its responsibilities include:

  • administrative management;
  • the planning of activities;
  • the determination of membership fees;
  • the management of the association’s assets, as defined in Article 18 of these bylaws.

 

The Executive Committee appoints the President and may appoint the Director of the Study Centre.

Elections to the Executive Committee are held every three years. Members in office may be re-elected for up to three consecutive terms.

 

Article 12 – President

The President legally represents the association and coordinates its activities.

The President’s term of office lasts three years and may be renewed up to three consecutive times.

 

Article 13 – Scientific Committee

The Scientific Committee is composed of qualified scholars.

Its functions are:

  • advisory;
  • scientific guidance and orientation;
  • evaluation of research programmes.

The members of the Scientific Committee are appointed by the Executive Committee. The Committee is chaired and coordinated by the President and, where appointed, by the Scientific Director.

 

Article 14 – Financial Resources

The association’s financial resources derive from:

  • membership fees;
  • public and private contributions;
  • public and private funding granted in support of scientific projects promoted by the association;
  • donations and bequests;
  • revenues deriving from activities permitted by law.

 

Article 15 – Prohibition on the Distribution of Profits

Any distribution of profits is prohibited.

Any surplus shall be reinvested in the institutional activities of the association.



Article 16 – Financial Statements

The association shall prepare annual financial statements in accordance with the legislation in force and, following registration in the RUNTS, in accordance with the regulations applicable to ETS entities.

 

Article 17 – Volunteers

The association may make use of volunteers in compliance with the law.

 

Article 18 – Assets

The association’s assets consist of membership fees, public and private contributions, donations, and revenues permitted by law.

 

Article 19 – Amendment of the Statutes

Amendments to the statutes must be proposed by the Executive Committee to the General Assembly, which shall approve them by a two-thirds majority of the members present.

 

Article 20 – Dissolution

In the event of dissolution, the assets of the association, as defined above (Article 18), shall be transferred to other ETS entities.

 

Article 21 – Final Provisions

For any matters not expressly provided for herein, the provisions of the Third Sector Code and the Civil Code shall apply.