Our Constitution
A constitution for the Iraqi Student Association — founded in the United Kingdom, in service of Iraqi students everywhere.
Iraqi students are spread across universities and countries, but our identity is not spread thin. The Iraqi Student Association exists to organise that identity — to turn a scattered diaspora into a union of students who connect, support, and act for one another.
This manifesto is our founding constitution. It does not dictate every action ISA will take — the needs of our members will shift with time and place. What it fixes are our pillars, our principles, and the structure through which we act, so that every member, committee, and chapter that follows is held to the same standard.
ISA exists to serve four founding pillars. Together they define what the association is for; they are not a checklist of events, but the standard by which every activity ISA undertakes should be judged.
To connect Iraqi diaspora students with one another, and with the networks that can shape their futures — cultural attachés and Iraqi government links, and private-sector contacts spanning business, employment, and academic opportunity.
To create and sustain a social environment that celebrates Iraq in the fullness of its religious and cultural denominations, through gatherings, hikes, trips, and celebrations that bring students together in fellowship.
To give Iraqi students a collective voice, and to work in earnest toward the problems they face as students abroad, so that no member feels unheard or unsupported.
To build an academic and professional network among Iraqi students, and to run competitions and opportunities that sharpen ambition and open doors.
ISA is one association across many communities. We hold to the following in all that we do:
ISA is governed through three tiers, each with a distinct and clearly bounded role. A person may sit across tiers only where this manifesto or the Managing Committee expressly allows it.
The presidency and decision-making body of ISA. Its members act together, by consensus, on the direction, standards, and major decisions of the association. The Managing Committee is accountable for upholding this manifesto.
A body of counsel and connection — providing guidance, credibility, and access to the networks ISA depends on. The Advisory Committee is not involved in day-to-day operations; its role is to advise, open doors, and safeguard ISA's long-term interests.
The members who run ISA day to day — organising events, managing funds, and carrying out the pillars in practice. Operational roles may be held by Managing Committee members alongside their committee duties, or by other members who join specifically to serve in this capacity.
As ISA grows, new members are assigned to clearly defined operational roles below. One member may hold more than one role, provided every role's duties are still being fulfilled. The Managing Committee may create further roles as new chapters and needs arise.
Manages ISA's funds, membership dues, and sponsorships; prepares budgets for events; reports on finances to the Managing Committee.
Keeps records of decisions and membership; manages correspondence and meeting schedules; maintains ISA's official documentation.
Runs ISA's public voice across its platforms; plans content and announcements; grows and engages the community online.
Documents events in photo and video; builds ISA's visual archive; supplies material to the Social Media Manager.
Plans and runs gatherings, hikes, trips, and cultural celebrations; books venues and coordinates logistics for members and guests.
Recruits and onboards new members; keeps in touch with university societies; leads outreach as ISA expands to new cities.
Builds and maintains links with cultural attachés, government contacts, and private-sector partners; organises the academic and professional network, and its competitions.
Serves as the first point of contact for student concerns; raises issues to the Managing Committee; carries the collective voice of ISA's members.
Adopted by the Founding Managing Committee of the Iraqi Student Association, in service of Iraqi students everywhere they call home.