International Operations Consistency Policy

Date of Issue: 21 May 2025

Organisation: Australian Institute of Pharmacognosy

1. Purpose

This policy sets out the steps taken by the Australian Institute of Pharmacognosy to ensure that all activities and use of resources outside Australia are aligned with the organisation’s charitable purpose and maintain its not-for-profit character.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all international operations, partnerships, collaborations, and financial or material disbursements made outside Australia by or on behalf of the Institute.

3. Alignment with Charitable Purpose

All overseas activities must directly support the Institute’s charitable purpose of advancing health through pharmacognostic research and education. Examples include collaborative research projects with international academic institutions, overseas fieldwork to study medicinal plants, or educational exchanges involving the dissemination of evidence-based botanical medicine knowledge. No overseas activity may be undertaken unless it demonstrably supports the Institute’s charitable goals.

4. Maintaining Not-for-Profit Character

The Institute prohibits the distribution of any surplus, income, or property to its members or third parties. All overseas activities must be conducted in a manner consistent with this not-for-profit obligation. Where partnerships or contracts are formed with overseas entities, agreements must contain clauses prohibiting profit-sharing or use of Institute resources for personal or private gain.

5. Oversight of Overseas Operations

Before engaging in any overseas activity, the Institute conducts due diligence to ensure alignment with its mission, values, and financial governance principles. Agreements with international partners include provisions requiring regular reporting, documentation of outcomes, and financial transparency. The Board oversees all international activities to confirm they reflect the Institute’s ethical, scientific, and public benefit commitments.

6. Documentation and Records

All international transactions and project documents are maintained in line with Australian recordkeeping laws. Overseas collaborations must be documented through formal MOUs or agreements that outline mutual responsibilities and accountability measures.

7. Review and Approval

This policy will be reviewed every two years, or earlier if required by changes in operations or legal obligations. Updates must be approved by a quorum of the Board.

8. Approval: Approved by the Board of the Australian Institute of Pharmacognosy.