• Welcome from the Executive Director
• Our History, Vision & Principles
• Our Patron
• Our Board
• Our Staff
• Our Members, Donors & Partners
• The ISS international network
• International Conventions
• Child rights
  • Convention on the Rights of the Child
  • Third Optional Protocol for CROC

The ISS international network

ISS Australia is the independent Australian arm of the global International Social Service network, with members (known as Branches, Bureaus or Correspondents) in over 140 countries worldwide. As a stand-alone non-government organisation, ISS Australia is a Branch member of the ISS network.

Established in 1924, the ISS network is the only international body dedicated to the provision of intercountry social work services to children and families separated by international borders.

Branch and Bureau members of the network meet every two years as the ISS International Council, the network’s supreme decision-making body. Between International Council meetings, the network is governed by a seven-member Governing Board, headed by an International President (position currently vacant). A body made up of the Executive Directors (chief executives or equivalents) of all Branch and Bureau members, known as the Professional Advisory Committee (PAC), provides advice to and assists the Governing Board in its governance responsibilities.

The network’s General Secretariat office is located in Geneva, Switzerland and headed by the network’s Secretary-General, Jean Ayoub. The General Secretariat has responsibility for the day-to-day running of the international network and works closely with the PAC on addressing current issues in the international network and identifying future areas for development.

ISS has Consultative Status with the United Nation’s Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and is recognised as an NGO partner by key international bodies including UNICEF and the Hague Conference on Private International Law.

For further information on the International Social Service network, please visit the network’s website at www.iss-ssi.org.