RC Terms of Reference 2020

1
THE WORLD MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, INC.
REVIEW COMMITTEE
TERMS OF REFERENCE
Scope:
1. The Review Committee shall provide input and guidance to WMA secretariat in handling WMA
policy documents submitted to the Council and General Assembly for consideration, with the
aim of ensuring consistency and rationality, so that:
• The policy proposals lie within the scope of WMA’s mission and are realistic
(implementable).
• Duplication and/or potential conflicts between WMA policies are prevented;
• The standardized WMA policy format and style are respected;
• The overall volume of WMA policy is regulated, including by proposing opportunities to
consolidate WMA policies where appropriate.
Tasks:
2. Based on the annexed WMA policy development flow chart, the Review Committee shall:
• Review new policy items proposed by WMA membership (Constituent and Associate
members1
), including the Secretariat’s recommendations / rationale. Committee members
will recuse themselves from documents in which they may have a conflict of interest.
• In the context of annual policy review (ten-year-old Declarations/Statements and five-year-
old Resolutions), review only those policies that the Council decided should undergo major
revisions.
• Ensure that the new proposed policies have a clear motion expressing the intention of the
submitter and the action(s) to be taken.
• Evaluate the feasibility of implementation of new proposed policies and proposed major
revisions, including the financial implications, if any;
• Determine appropriate action on the status of the proposal and ensure follow-up (see
annexed policy development flow chart);
3. Prior to the Council session, the Secretariat will communicate to the Chairs of MEC and SMAC
the recommendations of the Review Committee, together with the new proposed policies to be
considered in their committees.
1
New policy proposals by Associate Members will be reviewed by the RC before transmission to the annual Associate
Members’ Meeting taking place at the General Assembly session.
January 2020 Review Committee ToR/Oct2020
2
Reporting Structure
4. The Review Committee shall report directly to WMA Finance and Planning Committee.
5. During Committees’ sessions and when relevant, the Chair of the RC shall supplement the
presentation of new proposed policies and proposed major revisions by outlining the RC
recommendations on that particular proposal.
Composition:
6. The Review Committee members and its Chair shall:
• Be appointed by Chair of Council based on qualifications and availability, in cycle similar to
WMA Council standing committees;
• Contain 4 to 5 members drawn from the WMA membership2
with sound understanding of
WMA policies.
• Reflect a balance of members from Council /non-Council and represent 3 or more WMA regions.
7. The Review Committee will be staffed by a representative of WMA Secretariat.
Functioning:
8. The review Committee will operate by electronic mail exchange, online and face-to-face
meetings during WMA statutory sessions where appropriate.
9. The working language will be English.
19.03.2020
★★★
2
Associate membership can be included.
January 2020 Review Committee ToR/Oct2020
3
Policy Development Flow Chart
REVIEW PROCESS
Review Committee
Secretariat
1) Review author submission, including Secretariat’s
recommendation / rationale (Members will
recuse themselves from documents in which they
may have a conflict of interest.)
2) Evaluate fiscal implications
3) Determine appropriate action
4) Review those policies that the Council decided to undergo
major revisions in the context of annual policy review (ten-
year-old Declarations/Statements and five-year-old
Resolutions)
1) translates to or optimizes English, if necessary;
2) evaluates the document to ensure that it does not
repeat or contradict existing policy, or that existing
policy could be amended;
3) edits the document to ensure proper format, style,
and readability; and
4) formulates a recommendation, including assigning to a
standing committee, and sends to Review Committee.
AUTHOR
Draft New Policy
Combine with
Existing Policy
Amend Existing Policy
by Addition or Deletion
Not Accepted
• Complete policy template
• Check for existing policy
• Meet the submission deadline
• Be concise (Authors are encouraged to limit new policy to four pages)
SUBMISSION TO SECRETARIAT
AND TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP
A document is submitted to the Secretariat by a constituent member
in one of the three official languages of WMA (French, Spanish, or English).
POSSIBLE ACTIONS
Secretariat Communicates Decision to Author
• Incomplete template
• Deadline missed
• Duplicative
• Other
Accept
for Business
1) Translate the document
into the other two official
languages; and
2) The document is placed on
agenda.
Refer Back
to Author
• Complete template
• Resubmit for next meeting in
compliance with deadline
• Policy has merit but further work is
required (editorial / sources / format..);
Where possible assistance can be
offered.