Membership
Membership Criteria
AUN maintains clear eligibility standards to protect the integrity, independence, and trust-based character of the network.
ISNI 0000 0005 0810 4055 · The Hague, Netherlands
Core criteria
- Democratic commitment — members must be individuals or organizations operating within, and committed to, democratic societies and values.
- Transparency — organizational members disclose governance structures, funding sources, and advocacy positions.
- Alignment — external advocacy positions must align with internal policies and practices; greenwashing and astroturfing are disqualifying.
- Rule of law — respect for international law, human rights, and the peaceful resolution of disputes.
- Accountability — willingness to conduct advocacy collaboration in good faith, with clear conflict-resolution mechanisms.
Application
Prospective members apply through the AUN Secretariat. Applications are reviewed for eligibility and alignment; organizational applicants may be asked for supporting documentation. Begin via our contact page, or read why members join first.
Membership Criteria
Criteria for Governments
- The Government should belong to an internationally recognized State or Group of States. The AUN’s Executive Committee adopts the policy of the United Nations for recognizing States as member States.
- The members must be from a freely elected Government.
AUN National Group
- AUN members can create a National Group in the country of their origin or nationality. The National Group should be:
- composed of at least 10 individuals comprising of at least 1 policy maker, 2 business entities and the rest from Civil society
- open to all race, religion, nationality, gender and ethnicity
- National Groups shall accept the Constitution and By-Laws of AUN.
- Any member who wishes to form a National Group must inform the Secretary in writing at priyasa@aunetwork.org
- Once the decision has been made to create a National Group, all the members of that National Group must be invited within 30 days’ notice to join the National Group in the presence of a representative from the Governing Body of AUN.
- National Groups shall hold at least one general meeting annually in which they elect National Group officers (for example, the Chair and, as appropriate, Vice-Chair(s), Secretary and Treasurer) with due regard to gender balance. At this meeting, the National Group shall designate their representative (normally the Chair) of the National Group to the International Council, with written confirmation to the Secretary AUN. After a term of two years, the representative of the National Group to the International Council may be replaced by another member within the Group.
- The Chair of the International Council and the AUN’s Chairman shall certify to the Executive Committee those national groups that have met the guidelines.
- National Groups shall submit a written annual report to the International Council Chair within 45 days in advance of the annual International Council meeting. Group reports should include names of members, including officers (see paragraph 5 above) and information regarding the annual collection of membership fees. Members or Groups who have not paid AUN membership up-to-date will not be able to vote. Payment can be accepted just prior to the International Council meeting.