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Outline of Union
The establishment of GDCN
GDCN Statutes

The establishment of GDCN

　The development of information industry is ever-expanding at a blinding pace and crosses international boundaries. Each city must cope with rapidly changing international conditions and the global competition between cities, regions and countries. It is difficult for cities to meet the needs of this challenging climate on their own.

　GDCN (Global Digital Cities Network) is an international organization that was established in 2000 by Kakamigahara City of Japan and Chuncheon City of Korea. The organization aims for mutual development of member cities through sharing information concerning of multi-media, virtual reality, animation and bio-technology. We believe our mutual communications enable us to cope with present problems rapidly and effectively.

GDCN Statutes

GDCN Statutes
Chapter I

Article 1. Name
The name of this organization is The Global Digital City Network the abbreviation of which is the GDCN.
Article 2. Objectives
The objectives of the GDCN are to establish a faster and reliable information infra-structure and to secure viability by exchanging and sharing know-hows and specialized technologies in the field of knowledge-based industries such as multimedia, animation, biotechnology, IT and virtual reality between members.
Article 3. Secretariat
The secretariat of the GDCN is set up and located in the Chair City in order to facilitate the management of the GDCN web operation including electronic commerce.
Article 4. Projects
  1. To jointly develop new technologies to cope with a rapidly changing multimedia environment and make cooperative efforts to deal with issues of mutual concern through an annual conference
  2. To exchange information and research activities, and, if necessary, dispatch personnel for training purposes between members by mutually participating in seminars, forums, trade shows and other international events
  3. To develop and implement joint projects, and establish mutual support systems for activities exchange and cooperation between enterprises and organizations in private sector
  4. To provide marketing chances by mutually hosting a world-class knowledge industry trade show in multimedia, V/R, animation, information and telecommunication, biotechnology etc.
  5. To promote industrial development via e-commerce, cooperative projects in relation to self-administration and language training for personnel among the members, and identify and execute other activities that would meet the objectives of the GDCN such as technological assistance for non-members

Chapter II Membership
Article 5. Categories of Membership
The membership of the GDCN is divided into three categories:
  1. Regular Members
    1. Cities that participate in the founding meeting of the GDCN in November 2000
    2. Cities that agree on the purpose of the formation of the GDCN and if they are accepted by more than half of all other members after submitting a registration form
  2. Special Members
    Other than self-governing bodies, organizations or institutes who wish to join the membership such as research institutes, academic institutes and private enterprises etc. in the field of knowledge-based industries
  3. Associate Members
    Cities, institutions, organizations who attend the annual GDCN conference as observers
Article 6. Duties
The duties of Regular Members and Special Members are
  1. To abide by the GDCN statutes and regulations
  2. To actively participate in the major projects of the GDCN
  3. To attend the General Assembly
Article 7. Rights
The rights of Regular Members and Special Members are
  1. To make a motion on and participate in the operation of the GDCN and the major projects of the GDCN in general
  2. To speak, vote, elect and be elected at the annual conference On others that are prescribed in the previous items, the decision of the General Assembly shall be final.
Article 8. Disciplinary Actions
By the decision of the General Assembly, any members who effect harmful act to or bring disgrace on the major projects of the GDCN may be subjected to disciplinary actions such as warning, suspension of rights and disqualification.
Article 9. Registration
Any cities that wish to join the GDCN must submit a designated registration form to the President.
Article 10. Withdrawal
Any members who wish to withdraw from the GDCN must send in their opinions to the President.

Chapter III Organizational Structure
Article 11. General Assembly
  1. The General Assembly is the decision-making body of the GDCN.
  2. The General Assembly is summoned by the representative of the hosting city of the annual conference. The representative of the hosting city of the annual conference shall be the Chairperson of the General Assembly. The Chairperson must advise all members of the details of the General Assembly to discuss the time, place and agenda.
  3. The General Assembly is open with more than one half of the members present.
  4. The decision of the General Assembly shall be made by a majority of vote.
  5. The General Assembly has the following rights:
    • 1) Election of the President of the GDCN
    • 2) Election of the Chairperson of the General Assembly
    • 3) Election of Auditors
    • 4) Establishment/Amendment of the GDCN Statutes and Regulations
    • 5) Approval of admission of new members
    • 6) Deliberation and decision on motions made by members
  6. Any members who wish to refer matters to the General Assembly must send the matters to the representative of the hosting city of the annual conference 2 months before the time of the General Assembly. The Chairperson of the General Assembly must make decisions on the matters during the session.
Article 12. President
  1. The President represents the GDCN.
  2. The President is elected at the General Assembly and has two-year term of office.
  3. The President is responsible for each component project that consists of the joint projects on which the General Assembly makes decisions.
  4. The President may have the Chairperson of the General Assembly summon a special session of the General Assembly at the request of more than one half of the members.
  5. The President has a casting vote in the event that there are equal numbers of votes.
  6. The President takes charge of development of joint projects and associated accounting.
Article 13. Chairperson of the General Assembly
  1. The representative of the hosting city of the annual conference shall be the Chairperson of the General Assembly automatically.
  2. The Chairperson shall take office as soon as the location of the next annual conference is determined and shall be relieved of responsibilities upon the conclusion of the conference.
  3. The Chairperson shall summon the annual conference and shall preside over the General Assembly in the same year.
  4. The Chairperson must take the minutes of the General Assembly and must submit one copy of the minutes to the President, Each members and Secretariat.
Article 14. Auditor
  1. Auditors are elected at the General Assembly.
  2. The hosting city of the annual conference may not be elected as Auditor.
  3. Two Auditors shall be elected at the General Assembly and each Auditor takes one-year term of office.
  4. Auditors have the right to inspect the administration of the joint projects that entail expenditure and the budget in general.
  5. Auditors must indicate their intention to perform inspection to the President 2 months in advance; auditors may request the President to submit information pertaining the inspection.
Article 15. Secretariat
  1. 1. The Secretariat of the GDCN is located in the Chair City.
  2. 2. The Secretariat consists of the Secretary General and other staff. The Secretary General is appointed by the President and must be in possession of practical knowledge.
  3. 3. The Secretariat is responsible for the following:
    • 1) Management of the GDCN web operation including electronic commerce
    • 2) Financial management of the GDCN
    • 3) Administration of general affairs under the direction of the GDCN Chairperson
Article 16. Secretary General
  1. The Secretary General is appointed by the President of the GDCN.
  2. The Secretary General has the same term of office as that of the President of the GDCN. He or she is responsible for administration of the Presidents directions.

Chapter IV Finance
Article 17. General Provisions
The financial management of the GDCN must be in keeping with the purpose of the GDCN and must not deviate from the principles of bona fides, truthfulness and integrity.
Article 18. Fiscal Year
The Fiscal Year is based on calendar year beginning on January 1st and ending on December 31st.
Article 19. Holding of the General Assembly
The hosting city shall bear all expenses involved in holding of the General Assembly. The expenses for air travel, hotel accommodation and food etc. shall be borne by the participants.
Article 20. Contribution
If there are joint projects that entail budget establishment, members shall be requested to make contributions by the decision of the General Assembly.
Article 21. Expenditure
If any one of the members involved in the joint projects that entail expenditure, the member in question must send in a request to the Secretariat. In this event, the Secretary General must submit relevant documents to the Chairperson to obtain approval of disbursement.
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