The Leone XIV International Study Centre ETS operates through an organisational structure defined by its Statute and based on the distinction between governing bodies, scientific advisory bodies, and operational support structures.
This framework is designed to ensure institutional rigour, scientific excellence, and transparent and responsible management, in constant dialogue with the Augustinian Community of Santo Spirito in Florence, where the Study Centre is based.
The General Assembly of Members, the Board of Directors, and the President provide the strategic direction and governance of the Association; the Scientific Committee contributes to the cultural and academic development of its activities; while the Committees and Working Groups established by the Board of Directors support specific projects and initiatives of the Study Centre.
Together, these bodies ensure the fulfilment of the Centre’s statutory purposes and foster dialogue between academia, institutions, civil society, and the cultural and spiritual heritage of the Order of Saint Augustine.
Statutory Bodies
The statutory bodies ensure the institutional leadership of the Association, the definition of its strategic guidelines and the overall coordination of its activities, in accordance with the Statute and the resolutions adopted by the General Assembly of Members.
General Assembly of Members
The General Assembly of Members is the supreme governing body of the Association and is composed of all members registered in the Members’ Register.
It exercises the functions of general oversight, elects the Association’s governing bodies, approves financial statements and takes the fundamental decisions concerning the life of the Study Center, directly contributing to the definition of its cultural and institutional orientation.
President of the Study Center
The President legally represents the Leone XIV International Study Center ETS, coordinates its institutional and cultural activities, and ensures that the Centre’s work remains consistent with its mission, the principles of the Social Doctrine of the Church and the Augustinian inspiration that characterises its identity.
The President promotes cooperation among the Association’s governing bodies, the Scientific Committee and the operational structures of the Centre, fostering a unified vision of its activities and institutional relations.
President
Fr. Giuseppe Pagano, OSA
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is the principal governing and administrative body of the Study Center.
It is responsible for the definition of strategic priorities, the planning of activities, the management of the Association’s assets and the overall coordination of the organisation. The Board approves annual programmes, promotes the development of institutional and scientific initiatives and ensures the fulfilment of the Centre’s statutory purposes.
In accordance with the Statute, the Board of Directors appoints the Scientific Committee, establishes Committees and Working Groups, defines the strategic directions of the Study Center and oversees the proper functioning of its structures.
Within the organisational framework of the Study Center, the Board serves as the point of convergence between cultural vision, institutional sustainability and the development of research, educational and outreach activities.
The current composition of the Board of Directors can be found on the page dedicated to the Composition of the Governing Bodies and Committees.
Scientific Committee
The Scientific Committee is the statutory body responsible for the scientific and cultural guidance of the Study Center.
Composed of distinguished figures from academia, research and culture, it contributes to the definition of research priorities and educational activities, promotes interdisciplinary and international dialogue, and places the expertise of its members at the disposal of the Association through opinions, proposals and scientific advisory activities.
The Scientific Committee also fosters collaboration between the Study Center, universities, academic institutions, the research community and cultural organisations at both national and international level, contributing to the scientific quality of the initiatives promoted by the Association.
Pending the election of the President of the Scientific Committee by its members, coordination of its activities is carried out on an interim basis by Fr. Giuseppe Pagano, OSA, in accordance with the decisions adopted by the competent bodies.
Committees and Working Groups
To support the achievement of its institutional objectives, the Board of Directors may establish Committees and Working Groups dedicated to specific areas of activity, projects or initiatives.
These bodies perform operational, organisational and advisory functions and operate under the mandate of the Board of Directors, to which they report periodically on their activities.
They do not constitute statutory bodies of the Association, but serve as instruments of participation, collaboration and support for the mission of the Study Center.
Local Organizing Committee (LOC)
The Local Organizing Committee provides organisational and logistical coordination for the activities of the Study Center, contributing to the implementation of events, workshops, seminars and institutional initiatives, while ensuring effective cooperation with host institutions and local stakeholders.
External Relations Committee
The External Relations Committee develops and coordinates relationships with universities, research centres, cultural institutions, ecclesiastical bodies and partner organisations, fostering collaborative networks and the development of joint projects at both national and international level.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee supports the Board of Directors in financial planning, sustainability strategies, fundraising activities and the development of relationships with donors and institutional partners, in accordance with the principles of transparency, responsibility and sound governance.
Secretariat Committee
The Secretariat Committee provides organisational and administrative support for the activities of the Study Center, facilitating operational coordination among the Association’s governing bodies, committees, members and the Augustinian Community of Santo Spirito.
Honorary Committee
The Honorary Committee brings together distinguished figures from the institutional, ecclesiastical, academic and cultural spheres who lend their support to the Study Center and enhance its prestige, credibility and recognition at both national and international levels.
Its members, appointed as Honorary Members of the Association, serve as authoritative ambassadors for the values, mission and objectives of the Study Center.
The composition of the individual governing bodies, the Scientific Committee, the Committees and the Working Groups is subject to periodic updates in accordance with the procedures established by the Statute and the resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors.
