Comités

Comités are formal bodies created within organizations to study, advise on, or decide issues within a defined remit. They are typically composed of a subset of members or external experts and operate under a charter or terms of reference. Committees are used to allocate specialized attention, improve decision-making, and enhance accountability by concentrating expertise on complex topics.

A committee usually has a chair, a secretary or secretariat, a defined membership, and a regular meeting schedule. Decisions may be taken by vote or by consensus, subject to quorum requirements and the organization’s rules. The committee reports to the parent body and may issue recommendations, reports, or binding decisions depending on its mandate.

In the corporate sector, common committees include audit, risk, remuneration, nomination, and governance committees. In government, parliamentary or public administration committees examine proposed legislation, budgets, or ministries. In non-profit and academic settings, ethics committees, scientific review boards, and fundraising committees manage specific areas.

Formation and authority: committees derive power from their mandate and often have limited authority, relying on the parent body's authority to implement recommendations or decisions. The terms of reference specify purpose, scope, membership criteria, tenure, quorums, and reporting lines.

Impact and governance: committees can improve transparency, distribute workload, and bring specialized expertise. They also serve as a check on power and help ensure compliance with legal and ethical standards by requiring documentation and oversight.

History and variations: the concept goes back to early councils and organizational structures; modern committees became common in parliamentary and corporate governance practices in the 19th and 20th centuries, with rules varying across jurisdictions and organization type.