About IRCAVS

The International Research Council of Astrology and Vedic Sciences (IRCAVS),

founded in 2009, is the world's Fastest growing network of organizations,
institutions and individuals working in the field of Astrology and Vedic Sciences.
The International Research Council of Astrology and Vedic Sciences (IRCAVS)
promotes Vedic Rituals, access to culture for all and unites organizations in some
countries worldwide in building peace and understanding among peoples of all
cultures and heritage.

RIGHTS
The aims of IRCAVS are to further the study, practice, documentation,
preservation research & dissemination of Various traditional and vedic
concepts, including Astrology, Palmistry, Numerology, Vastu Shastra,
Fengshui, Mantra, Tantra, Yantra and Vedic rituals of various countries.
To honour scholars specialised in Astroscience or any other allied
subject by recognising their achievements and to confor various
Awards/Honours.
To engage, teachers, appropriate staff, workers and other
professionals for enlightenment of laymen regarding vedic concepts,
rituals, cultures and astrosciences.
To enroll the researches of astrology and vedic sciences for alround
advancement of the subject beneath the flag of (I.R.C.A.V.S.) and to
organise confrences & seminars in various places by time to time.
To promote research work pretaining to astroscience and metaphysics
etc., for the purpose of enlightening the scholars under proper
supervision of expert faculty of the Council.

To broaden the membership of IRCAVS with religious trusts, societies

and temples in India and abroad, and IRCAVS shall provide to them,
specialized & expert vedic purohits(Priests) and astrologers for their
timely need and requirements

To bring out a journal (quarterly) of vedic & astrological sciences

which will focus on vedic & astrological literatures, articles and
research papers from experts around the globe.
To inspire astrologers & spiritualists of various countries by engaging
them in constructive and research based astrological work.
To undertake the project of biography of
astrologers/spiritual scientists from all over the world

distinguished

By advocating these rights, the International Research Council of Astrology and

Vedic Sciences (IRCAVS) aims at contributing to the development and

strengthening of friendly working relations between various Traditional

& Vedic cultures of the world on the basis of their equality, mutual relation
and appreciation. It concerns itself with creativity, education, promotion,
research and documentation, status of Priests, Saints, spiritualists and
various other aspects of spirituality. This is made possible through the
unparalleled range of expertise of its membership.

Over the past year, IRCAVS has developed as a world organisation, a

forum for exchange and reflection and an observatory in the field of
Astrology and Vedic Sciences. Mandated to promote all types of Traditional
Rituals, IRCAVS is an organisation habilitated to speak to institutions,
Temples and regions. It works through and for its members to internationally
support the development and the promotion of Astrology, Vedas and the
role of Astrologers, Spiritualists and Priests in the context of social, cultural
and economic development.

In the course of its existence, IRCAVS has developed into a highly

influential network. This is due in large part to its geographic extension and
the variety of competence of its membership. Through its members,
IRCAVS has direct access to organizations and Temples across the world,
creating a network of knowledge and experience that touches on every
aspect of Vedic studies and Rituals. In addition to working with its members
and international partners on local, regional and international projects,
IRCAVS and its members participate in projects and initiatives in the
fields of culture, education and youth.

Mission and Objectives

IRCAVS is an international network dedicated to the development and promotion of
Astrology, Vedic Sciences and Rituals.

The mission of IRCAVS is to provide exceptional value to its membership by

building knowledge, creating networking opportunities, supporting and
enhancing the vedic knowledge that help sustain people's participation in
Astropalmistry, occultism, spiritualism and vedic studies.
Thus it
To conduct seminars/Workshops and other programmes in schools and
institutions with the help of the governing or concerning body of that
institution for the awareness of our vedic concept, tradition & rituals
among children and presuade children to follow them.
To propagate and organise various kinds of programme/activities to
make vedic concepts, rituals, traditions and cultures easy to understand
for the people and persuade people to follow them.
To highlight the scientific base of astrology and allied sciences to
included this science in the curriculum of academic institutions.
To educate the poor children of Brahmin community and orphanage
children (in coordination with the concerning trust or society) in Astrology,
Palmistry, process of Vedic Yagya and other vedic studies according to
their talents & establish those expert students in temples, religious trusts &
societies through out the country and abroad to serve for upliftment of

vedic & astrological sciences .

The core business objective of IRCAVS is to advocate for appropriate policies

and practices aimed at strengthening the work of its membership.

Structure
With a presence in all continents, IMCs membership is made up of 65 National
Music Councils, over 50 international and regional music organizations, a great
number of national and specialised organisations, as well as 35 Members of
Honor chosen among the world's outstanding professionals, educators,
performers and composers.
Members elect a 12-member Executive Board which meets regularly between
the biannual General Assemblies.
IMC is represented by a Regional Council in each of the following regions: Africa,
the Americas and Europe. Their mission is to contribute and develop regional
programmes and to support activities that are specifically tailored to the needs of
IMC members and partners in the region. In regions without a regional council,
regional coordinators help the IMC to identify regional needs.
ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE:
General Assembly
Commissions
Executive Board
President
Secretary General

General Assembly
The last General Assembly of the IMC (33rd session) took place in Tunis,
October 21-22, 2009 in conjunction with the 3rd World Forum on Music.
Documentation on the 33rd General Assembly: click here

GENERAL REMARKS
The IMC General Assembly takes place in a different country every two years.
The General Assembly has supreme authority in all matters regarding the actions
of IMC and the accomplishment of its objectives. It considers programme
implementation and discusses the reports presented to it by the Executive Board
and Commissions as well as motions presented by the members. In its sessions,
the General Assembly:
Considers the financial report for the period since the previous General
Assembly
Adopts the programme and the budget for the following two years
Admits the membership of Organisations and ratifies the membership of
National Committees
On proposal of the Executive Board, sets the annual membership fees to
be paid by National Committees and Organisations;
Considers, on proposal of the Executive Board, questions of reducing or
waiving the membership fee for an individual National Committee for a fixed
period of time, if it is satisfied that failure to pay is due to conditions beyond the
control of that committee, or that such a measure would help to strengthen or
reorganize it.
The General Assembly consists of representatives of National Committees,
organizations, members of honor and individual members as well as of the
members of the Executive Board. In addition, members of the Legal and
Financial Commissions have the right to attend and to take part in the
discussions of legal or financial matters. Past Presidents have the right to
participate in the General Assembly in a consultative capacity, and supporting
members, national delegates and regional groups and secretariats are invited to
attend the General Assembly as observers.
Documentation on the 32nd General Assembly: click here

COMMISSIONS

In accordance with the Statutes of IMC, the Council has two standing
commissions whose members are elected for a 2-year term by the General
Assembly.

The Legal Commission

- is responsible for all voting matters during the General Assembly
- rules upon questions of interpretation of the Statutes and the Rules of
Procedure
- serves the General Assembly in a consultative capacity in other legal or
procedural matters
- voices its opinions on legal matters upon the request of the Executive Board
Members of the Commission:
Franz PATAY (Austria)
Cynthia SANCHEZ (USA)
Wouter TURKENBURG (Netherlands)

The Financial Commission

- concerns itself with the financial operations of the Council
- examines, at a meeting preceding the General Assembly, the financial report
and the budget presented by the Executive Committee and submits its comments
in writing to the General Assembly
- assists the Executive Board and the Secretary General in financial matters
inasmuch as compatible with its mandate.
Members of the Commission:
Stef CONINX (Belgium)
Peter RANTASA (Austria)

IMC Executive Board

The Executive Board is elected every 2 years by the General Assembly. Elected
Board members serve a two-year term, renewable twice. The President is
elected directly by the General Assembly and serves a 2-year term renewable
once. Between General Assemblies, the Executive Board takes all decisions
necessary on behalf of the Council and ensures the implementation of all other

decisions of the General Assembly. Moreover, The Executive Board admits

members and submits to the General Assembly a report of the Council's work
and its financial position.

President
Frans de Ruiter (Netherlands)

Vice-Presidents
Beata Schanda (Hungary)
Executive Vice-President
Artistic Secretary, Hungarian Dance Academy
Liane Hentschke (Brazil)
President, International Society for Music Education
Fethi Zghonda (Tunisia)
Director of Music, Ministry of Culture and Heritage Preservation
Secretary General, Tunisian National Music Committee

Treasurer
Lars Grunth (Denmark)
Musician and conductor

Members
Fernando Condon (Uruguay)
Consejo general de la msica - CGM-Uruguay
Sonja Greiner (Germany)
Secretary General, Europa Cantat
Gary Ingle (USA)
President, US National Music Council
Executive Director, Music Teachers National Association
Timo Klemettinen (Finland)
Managing Director, Association of Finnish Music Schools
Secretary General, Finnish Music Council
Lupwishi Mbuyamba (DR of Congo)
Executive Director, Observatory of Cultural Policies in Africa
President of the International Federation for Choral Music

Henrik Melius (Sweden)

Founder and Chairman Spiritus Mundi
Blasko Smilevski (FYR of Macedonia)
Secretary General, Jeunesses Musicales International

Secretary General
Silja Fischer (Germany)
Functions
The Secretary General is responsible for the execution of the decisions of the
General Assembly and of the Executive Board and for the continuous realization
of the IMC projects. He/she is responsible to the Executive Board for the IMC
funds. He/she serves the membership in every possible way and provides it with
sufficient information. He/she functions as secretary to the General Assembly, the
Executive Board and the Directorate.
LAST UPDATED ( THURSDAY, 16 JULY 2009 )

Contact Us
International Music Council

1 rue Miollis, 75732 Paris cedex 15, France

+33 1 45 68 48 50
+33 1 45 68 48 66

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Membership Policy
Mandated to promote all types of Traditional Rituals, IRCAVS is an organisation
habilitated to speak to institutions, Temples and regions. It works through and for
its members to internationally support the development and the promotion of
Astrology, Vedas and the role of Astrologers, Spiritualists and Priests in the
context of social, cultural and economic development.
Our Network: In the course of its existence, IRCAVS has developed into a highly

influential network. This is due in large part to its geographic extension and the
variety of competence of its membership.
Through its members, IRCAVS has creating a network of knowledge and
experience that touches on every aspect of Vedic studies and rituals. In addition
to working with its members on local, regional and international projects, IRCAVS
and its members participate in vedic, religious projects and initiatives in the fields
of culture, tradition and spiritual education for youth.

Membership Categories
National Music Councils
A national music council must be broadly representative of the musical life in its
country, demonstrate that it subscribes to the IMC's position on cultural rights,
develop policy positions to advance the musical life of the country and advocate
these to decision-makers including the government. It must be governed
according to democratic principles. Please find here a description of a National
Music which is not prescriptive in all its aspects but offers a picture of a wellfunctioning national music council.
For a list of current members in this category, click here: National Music Councils
International Music Organisations
An international music organisation must have members or musical activities in a
minimum of ten countries with more than three voting members outside the
region* where it is based. The organisation must demonstrate that it subscribes
to the IMC's position on cultural rights, develop policy positions to advance the
welfare of its area or musical activity and advocate these to decision-makers
including governments. It must be governed according to democratic principles
and offer services to its members and/or to the community at large.
* In the IMC, the term "region" refers to the following: Africa - Arab World - Asia Europe - Oceania - The Americas
For a list of current members in this category, click here: International Music
Organisations
Regional Music Organisations
A regional music organisation must be mainly operating in one region* only and
have members or musical activities in a minimum of 20% of the amount of
countries in that specific region. The number of its voting members outside the
region should not exceed three. The organisation must demonstrate that it
subscribes to the IMC's position on cultural rights, develop policy positions to

advance the welfare of its area or musical activity and advocate these to
decision-makers including governments. It must be governed according to
democratic principles and offer services to its members and/or to the community
at large.
* In the IMC, the term "region" refers to the following: Africa - Arab World - Asia Europe - Oceania - The Americas
For a list of current members in this category, click here: Regional Music
Organisations
National and Specialised organisations
Any legally constituted organisation, association, society, company, foundation,
corporation, NGO, working in the field of arts and culture, which does not fulfil
the requirements of an international or regional music organisation or national
music council can be accepted as organisational member of IMC. In order to be
admitted as member, the organisation must support the mission and objectives of
the IMC and commit to fulfil the duties of a member. It must have members or
musical activities, demonstrate that it subscribes to the IMC's position on cultural
rights and be governed according to democratic principles.
For a list of current members in this category, click here: National and
Specialised Organisations
SCALE OF FEES FOR 2008-2009
The scale of membership fees is fixed every two years by the IMC General
Assembly. The scale below was adopted by the 32nd General Assembly, held in
Beijing, October 14-16 2007.
Scale valid for National Music Councils:
The membership fee of a council is determined according to a scheme combining
the country's Human Development Index and a set of economic data reflected in
the country's contribution to the UNESCO budget.

Membership Application
HOW TO APPLY FOR IMC MEMBERSHIP ?
If you want to become a member of IMC, please choose the appropriate form
below and submit it to the IMC Secretariat accompanied by the requested
documents.
National Music Councils:
preferred language -

download the application form in your

For the following membership categories:

International Music Organisations
Regional Music Organisations
National and Specialised organisations
Download the application form and profile of the organisation
For further information and assistance, please write to:
Ms Silja Fischer
Executive Officer
International Music Council
Maison de l'UNESCO
1, rue Miollis
75732 Paris cedex 15
France
e-mail:
info@imc-cim.org
phone: +33 1 45 68 48 50
fax: +33 1 45 68 48 66

Membership Directory

Please click on one of the links below.

National Music Councils
International Music Organisations
Regional Music Organisations
National and Specialised Organisations

IMC Programmes
Through its programmes, IMC promotes musical diversity and supports cultural
rights for all. Accordingly, IMC programmes aim to contribute to the development
and strengthening of friendly working relations between all the musical cultures of
the world on the basis of their absolute equality, mutual respect and appreciation.
IMC considers the experience of music and music-making a vital part of
everyone's daily life, and values the basic right for all people to express
themselves and communicate through music.
Through its programmes, IMC is committed to support its mission, which is to
provide exceptional value to its membership by building knowledge, creating
networking opportunities, supporting and enhancing the visibility of initiatives that
help sustain people's participation in music and cultural life.
Focus
IMC programmes address all aspects of musical life, among them, musical
creativity and education, the livelihood of music makers, technological
innovations, preservation of intangible assets, copyright issues, and accessibility.

Development and Music

IMC Music Sector Development Program. This program will seek to assist
developing countries in developing their music sectors. The nature of the
development will be decided by the developing countries after an extended
process of analysis and discussion.
Sustainable futures for music traditions: In music, one of the great

concerns is the survival and revitalisation of traditional musics. The IMC has
entered into a partnership to discover and describe projects across the world that
have been successful in returning traditional musics to everyday life. The IMC is
the senior non-academic partner in this five-year project, led by the Queensland
Conservatorium Research Centre, Brisbane, with seven universities on five
continents, the Music Council of Australia, and funding from the Australian
Research Council. Read more
Taking into account the specific needs of potential beneficiaries, UNESCO
and the International Music Council launched a pilot project training module in
East Africa with a view to creating capacities to capture international funding
for music projects. This project was carried out under UNESCOs Global
Alliance for Cultural Diversity with the financial support of the Spanish Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Cooperation. Read more
Support is being sought for other programs in Africa, Afghanistan and the
South Pacific.
Capacity-building for members. The IMC supports the development of its
member organisations in various ways, mostly upon request but also through
workshops and provision of information.
Regional development. The IMC is committed to the formation of regional
councils, with a more direct understanding of regional issues, as chapters of the
organisation. A highly successful regional council is operating in Europe, one is in
the process of being established in Africa, and IMC is supporting the formal
incorporation of the Council of the Three Americas, covering north, central and
south America. Early steps have been taken to establish a council in east and
south-east Asia, and it is anticipated that the Arab Music Council will consolidate
around the conference in Tunisia in 2009.