Statutes of the Down Syndrome Research Prize Foundation in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
(First revised in May 2002. Second revision in February 2010)
Article 1
Establishment
Under the title of the "Down Syndrome Research Prize Foundation in the Eastern Mediterranean Region", a foundation is established within the framework of the World Health Organization, which shall be governed by the following provisions:
Article 2
The Founder
The Foundation is established upon the initiative of, and with funds provided by, Dr Abdel Rahman Abdulla Al-Awadi (hereinafter referred to as "the Founder").
Article 3
Capital
The Founder endows the Foundation with an initial capital of US$ 25 000 (twenty-five thousand United States Dollars only), subsequently increased to US$ 50 000 to institute a grant. The capital of the Foundation may be increased by income from its undistributed reserves or by gifts and bequests.
Article 4
Purpose
The Foundation is established for the purpose of awarding a prize to one or more persons who have made an outstanding contribution in the field of research related to Down Syndrome and a grant to one or more persons for research to be undertaken in the same field. The specific criteria that shall be applied in the assessment of the work done by the candidates, in the case of the Prize, and of the proposed research, in the case of the Grant, shall be determined by the Foundation Committee.
Article 5
The Prize
1. The "Down Syndrome Research Prize in the Eastern Mediterranean Region" shall consist of
a) a prize comprising a bronze medal and a cash sum which shall be awarded once every
two years, funds permitting, from the interest accumulated on the Foundation’s
capital, after deduction of the total cost of striking the medal and any other costs
incurred.
b) a grant to be awarded in accordance with Article 7 below, funds permitting, from the interest accumulated on the Foundation’s capital in excess of that required for the Prize
2. The initial value of the cash prize shall be determined by the Foundation Committee at its first session taking into account the Foundation's capital and the anticipated annual interest. This amount may be adjusted from time to time by the Committee based on changes in the capital of the Foundation, variation in interest rates and other relevant factors.
Article 6
The Foundation Committee
The Committee entitled the "Down Syndrome Research Foundation Committee" shall be composed of the following members: The Chairman and Vice-Chairmen of the Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean, the Chairman of the Regional Committee Technical Discussions and a representative of the Founder. The Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean or his representative shall serve as the Secretary of the Committee.
Article 7
Proposal and selection of candidates
1. Candidates may be proposed for the Prize or Grant by any national health, education or social administration of a Member State of the World Health Organization within the Eastern Mediterranean Region, or any former recipient of the Prize or Grant. The nomination shall be accompanied by a written statement of the reasons on which it is based. Proposals shall be submitted to the Administrator who shall submit them to the Foundation Committee together with technical comments.
2. Current and former staff members of the World Health Organization shall be ineligible to receive the Prize and Grant.
3. The Committee shall decide in private meeting, by a majority of the members present, on the recommendation to be made to the Regional Committee, whose decision shall be final.
4. The presence of at least three members of the Foundation Committee, including the Chairman of the Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean or a Vice-Chairman acting for the Chairman at that Regional Committee, shall be required for the taking of decisions.
5. The Prize and/or Grant shall be presented during the following session of the Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean by its Chairman to the recipient or, in his/her absence, to a person representing him/her.
Article 8
The Administrator
1. The Foundation shall be administered by its Administrator, namely the Regional Director of the Eastern Mediterranean, who shall act as Secretary of the Foundation Committee.
2. The Administrator shall be responsible:
a) for the execution of the decisions taken by the Foundation Committee within the limits of its powers as defined in these Statutes, and
b) for the observance of the present Statutes and generally for the administration of the Foundation in accordance with these Statutes.
Article 9
Revision of the Statutes
On the proposal of one of its members, the Foundation Committee may propose a revision of the present Statutes. Any such proposal, if endorsed by a majority of the Committee, shall be submitted to the Regional Committee for its approval.