working methods

OF THE PSV NETWORK ADVISORY COUNCIL

The Prosecuting Conflict-related Sexual Violence Network (PSV Network) has established an Advisory Council to facilitate its work. The following general principles will govern the work of the PSV Network Advisory Council:

  1. ROLE. The Advisory Council will assist, support and guide the PSV Network, providing knowledge and skills in order to enhance the efficiency and expertise of the PSV Network. The Council will also suggest approaches, ideas and strategies to further the objectives and goals of the PSV Network and identify current or upcoming challenges and developments in the sphere of prosecuting conflict-related sexual violence.
     
  2. AIM. The Advisory Council will give strategic and objective advice on general issues and the work of the PSV Network but also on specific areas or targets, as needed and requested. It will also give feedback on the activities undertaken or proposed by the PSV Network and their quality, content and relevance, based on the reports and other information provided. It will make recommendations and/or provide key information and materials relevant for the fulfilment of the PSV Network’s work. Furthermore the members of the Advisory Council will provide the PSV Network with access to their professional networks as well as other resources and groups (such as student groups that could potentially conduct research for the PSV Network).
     
  3. CHARACTERISTICS. The Advisory Council will be an independent and impartial body of experts and share the mission and values of the PSV Network. The Advisory Council will give open-minded, reasoned and non-biased views, perspectives and constructive critique. The Advisory Council will be composed so as to ensure a broad representation of perspectives concerning the international and hybrid courts and tribunals as well as national systems.
     
  4. DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES. The Members of the Advisory Council will:
    1. Attend meetings every four months (as further set out under section 6) with the PSV Network Executive Committee and participate in e-mail based follow-up as required;
    2. Decide what activities to prioritise within the next four months;
    3. Provide feedback regarding PSV Network’s activities as requested based on information provided;
    4. Provide the PSV Network’s members with strategic advice and support in on-going and future projects related to conflict-related sexual violence;
    5. Facilitate the search for appropriate funding to finance the PSV’s activities, as appropriate. (The Advisory Council is not responsible for oversight in the disbursement of funds.);
    6. Take part in advocacy initiatives for the PSV Network, such as speaking publicly about PSV Network’s work, as requested.
       
  5. MEETINGS. In scheduling the Advisory Council’s meetings, the PSV Network Executive Committee will take the following into account:
    1. Follow-up meetings will be determined if the parties agree on the necessity thereof. Alternatively, other types of follow-up should be agreed upon, such as the preparation of written documents as required to develop or implement recommendations.
    2. In case of emergency or a time-sensitive issue an extraordinary meeting will be held at short notice as required.
    3. Minutes of Advisory Council meetings will be taken by a person nominated by the PSV Network Coordinator to record the discussions and decisions taken and will be circulated to the Advisory Council members and the PSV Network Executive Committee within a reasonable time following each meeting. 
    4. Meeting dates will be nominated for the regular meetings each calendar year. Ad hoc meetings may be requested for specific issues and dates will be established in agreement with the Advisory Council as required. There will be flexibility with meeting dates as required to facilitate the participation of the majority of Advisory Council members.
    5. The Chair of the meetings will be the PSV Network Coordinator. In her absence, the meetings will be chaired by the PSV Network Adviser. An agenda of issues to be dealt with and materials or information necessary for the meeting will be circulated in advance. Meetings will be structured with a result-oriented objective.
    6. Meetings will be held via skype (or other suitable online conferencing facility) as the different Advisory Council members are spread around the globe.  In the future, efforts will be made to establish an online platform for the meetings through the PSV Network website.
       
  6. CONFIDENTIALITY. The Advisory Council will not disclose confidential information, if private or confidential information has been discussed during its meetings. Advisory Council members will at all times exercise the highest degree of attention to maintaining the confidentiality of PSV Network discussions and data.
     
  7. TRANSPARENCY. The names of the Advisory Council members will be listed on the PSV Network website.  Information about the Council’s role in PSV Network activities and projects may also be included on the website as appropriate.
     
  8. TERM OF APPOINTMENT. The members of the Advisory Council will be appointed indefinitely, unless an alternative is agreed upon by the member and the Executive Committee. They will be appointed by the PSV Network Executive Committee and the appointment can be concluded at the request of the member or the Executive Committee.
     

PSV NETWORK

Building an effective and supportive global network of practitioners for prosecuting conflict-related sexual violence crimes.