APACPH Constitution: Streamlined for Enhanced Impact

The Asia-Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health (APACPH) has updated its constitution (effective October 10, 2024), replacing the 2018 version. These strategic revisions aim to enhance operational efficacy and advance its public health mission. Key changes include:

Clearly Defined Activities

A new ‘Activities’ section (II-2) now formally details APACPH’s diverse initiatives. This includes fostering networks, annual conferences, webinars, research promotion, managing the Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health (APJPH), and running programs like the Online Public Health Certificate Program (ICUH) and Early Career Network (ECN), thereby increasing transparency.

Refined Governance and Membership

Significant enhancements have been made to governance and membership protocols:

• Membership Application: A more structured application process for Regular Individual Members is now in place (IV-3, 1B).
• Regional Structure: “Regional Offices” are formally established to manage regional activities, with mandatory member affiliation (V-1, 6). Collaborating Centers’ roles in special activities are also clarified (V-1, 7).
• Officer Roles & Accountability: Vice Presidents’ responsibilities are now explicitly defined (V-2, 5B, 5C), and new conditions for Regional Director tenure introduced (V-2, 7).
• Election & Council: Voting rights are tied to timely fee payment (V-3). The Executive Council now formally includes Collaborating Center representatives (V-5, 1C).
• Management Board: The Management Board has mandated bimonthly meetings and new fiscal authorities (V-5, 2A, 2C).

Updated Amendment Process

The authority to amend the constitution now primarily rests with the General Assembly. Amendments require a majority vote of General Assembly members (with a quorum or written consent) upon recommendation by the Executive Council, a shift from the previous Executive Council-led process.

These constitutional updates underscore APACPH’s commitment to robust governance, operational transparency, and active member engagement, further strengthening its capacity to advance public health across the Asia-Pacific region.