Comité

A comité is a formal body composed of individuals appointed or elected to consider, study, or decide on specific matters within an organization, government, or institution. Its mandate is usually defined by a charter, statute, policy, or resolution, and it operates with a defined scope, reporting lines, and a set schedule of meetings. The goal of a comité is to focus expertise and share responsibility for a defined domain, rather than to act as a general decision-making body.

In many languages the term exists in cognate forms: French comité, Spanish comité, Portuguese comitê, Italian comitato, and English committee. The word derives from a root related to entrusting tasks to a group of people, reflecting the cooperative nature of collective decision-making.

Comités typically have a chair or president, a secretary or clerk, and a defined membership. They may convene regular meetings, maintain minutes, and produce recommendations or reports. Authority may be advisory, or it may include decision power delegated by a higher body. Some comités are permanent (standing), while others are temporary (ad hoc or special). Joint comités involve multiple organizations or departments.

Common types include standing committees (ongoing responsibilities such as governance or finance), select or special committees (temporary investigations), steering committees (project direction), and advisory committees (expert input without formal decision power).

Comités are central to parliamentary procedure, corporate governance, universities, and civil society. The effectiveness of a comité depends on a clear mandate, adequate resources, transparent processes, and accountability mechanisms. Critics point to potential duplication, scope creep, and delays when authority is ill defined.