EAZA Organisational Structure
The EAZA structure consists of its members, the Executive Committee, EAZA Council and several committees falling into the categories of Standing Committees and Specialist Committees. The chart below outlines where each of these bodies is located in the overall structure of the organisation.
Terms of reference for the decision-making bodies and officials of EAZA are set as follows:
Council
The Council develops strategy and policies, monitors income and expenditure and enters contractsand legal agreements. Furthermore, it elects the chairman, vice-chairman, secretary and treasurer, appoints committee chairs and members and receives and approves committees' action plans and annual reports. The Council prepares, discusses and votes on all policy matters. However, during the Annual General Meeting (AGM), full EAZA members have the final word by approving or rejecting these proposals.
EAZA Council 2009-2012
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee handles the implementation of the Council's policy and strategy, supervises the day-to-day running of the organisation, the financial management, the approval of the annual action and business plans, the preparation of meetings (e.g. Council and AGM), the PR policy and actions of the association. This committee is assisted by the permanent staff located at the EAZA Executive Office.
EAZA Executive Committee (2009-2012)
Chairman: Simon Tonge (Paignton Zoo - pictured right)
Vice-chairman: Lars Lunding Andersen (Copenhagen Zoo)
Secretary: Miklos Persanyi (Budapest Zoo)
Treasurer: Frank Rietkerk (Apenheul Primate Park)
Legislation Committee: Thomas Kauffels (Opel Zoo)
Aquarium Committee: Philippe Jouk (Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp)
Membership and Ethics Committee: Alex Rübel (Zoo Zurich)
EEP Committee: Bengt Holst (Copenhagen Zoo)
The following group works under the umbrella of the Executive Committee:
- EAZA Zoohorticulture Group - EZG
EAZA Committees
These committees are formed and disbanded as needs and activities dictate. When possible, the EAZA committees liaise with other professional organisations such as the European Zoo Educators (EZE), the European Association of Zoo and Wildlife Veterinarians (EAZWV) and the European Association of Aquarium Curators (EUAC) to maximise effectiveness of all parties working in specific fields of expertise.
Standing Committees
These Committees carry out tasks that need to be accomplished for EAZA as organisational necessities. EAZA has the following Standing Committees:
EEP Committee
This Committee is concerned with the functioning and development of European Endangered species Programmes (EEPs) and long-term animal collection planning.
The following working groups work under the umbrella of the EEP Committee:
- European Animal Data Information Systems Committee - EADISC
- EAZA Population Management Advisory Group - EPMAG
Membership & Ethics Committee
This Committee is responsible for accreditation of applicants and ethical issues.
Legislation Committee
This Committee keeps track of new EU regulations, CITES and CBD issues and furthermore lobbies in EU circles.
Aquarium Committee
This Committee deals with matters relating specifically to the important tasks and challenges of aquariums. Under the Memorandum of Understanding between EAZA and the European Union of Aquarium Curators (EUAC), the EAZA Aquarium Committee is identical to the EUAC Committee.
Specialist Committees
In contrast to the Standing Committees, these Committees mainly focus on helping the members or their staff or specific sections of staff to improve their zoo and aquarium activities in a particular area. EAZA has the following Specialist Committees:
Conservation Committee
The Conservation Committee’s main task is to coordinate the in situ conservation activities of member institutions and to liaise with conservation organisations.
Research Committee
This Committee is involved with the traditional and important mission of zoos to carry out research. There is wide range of opportunities to study non-domestic species outside their home range, which is important as many species are threatened with extinction in their natural habitat.
The following working group works under the umbrella of the Research Committee:
- EAZA Nutrition Group - ENG
Technical Assistance Committee
This Committee plays a pro-active role in improving sub-standard zoos (with a focus on central and eastern Europe). It furthermore co-operates with welfare organisations.
Veterinary Committee
This Committee increases the co-operation with the European Association of Zoo and wildlife Veterinarians (EAZWV) and ensures veterinary input in the relevant standards and EU veterinary regulations.
The following working group works under the umbrella of the Veterinary Committee:
Education Committee
This Committee is responsible for keeping a close watch on new developments relating to education and stimulating a high level of education in EAZA institutions.
Members of this committee are diverse educational specialists from zoos throughout Europe. European Board members of IZE (International Zoo Educators) are born members of the committee.