Steering Committee
Article 8
1. The Steering Committee shall be composed of one representative member appointed by each Member State. It shall meet at least four times a year. Each member of the Committee may be represented or accompanied by an alternate member. A representative of the EEAS shall participate in the meetings of the Steering Committee, without the right to vote. 2. The Steering Committee shall be chaired by a representative of the High Representative. The Chair shall facilitate the discussions on strategic orientation, ensure policy coherence, and lead consensus-building efforts among members, to reinforce the ESDC’s contribution to an efficient and effective CSDP. 3. The Steering Committee shall take the necessary decisions with regard to the fulfilment and oversight of the ESDC’s mission, objectives, and the overall functioning of the network. The Steering Committee shall, in particular: (a) ensure the synergy and complementarity of activities between civilian and military training and related activities, while respecting national standards and certifications; (b) approve the annual work programme of the ESDC, as well as annual budget proposals and any amendments thereto; (c) approve the annual reports on ESDC training and education activities, and the recommendations contained therein; (d) select and prioritise the training and education activities to be run under the ESDC, and approve, every year, any specific tasks for training and education activities to be conducted by the ESDC in accordance with its mission and objectives, taking into account the training requirements and available resources; (e) adopt the curricula for all ESDC training and education activities; and, (f) decide on the opening of specific ESDC training and education activities to third-country participation, in line with the Union institutional framework. 4. The Steering Committee shall provide overall guidance to the work of the Academic Board, the Head and the ESDC Secretariat. 5. The Steering Committee shall: (a) appoint the Chairpersons of the Executive Academic Board and its various configurations; (b) approve the Rules of Procedure of the Executive Academic Board; (c) approve the estimate of revenue and expenditure of the ESDC referred to in Article 10(7); (d) approve any voluntary financial contributions referred to in Article 17. 6. The Head of the ESDC, the ESDC Secretariat, the Chairperson of the Executive Academic Board and, when appropriate, the Chairpersons of the various configurations of the Executive Academic Board configurations, as well as representatives of the Commission and of other Union institutions, of the EEAS, or of other Union bodies, offices or agencies, may participate in the meetings of the Steering Committee, without the right to vote. 7. The Steering Committee shall act by qualified majority, as defined in Article 16(4) of the Treaty on European Union. It shall act by simple majority for the approval of its rules of procedure, and for other procedural decisions. 8. Where the ESDC receives a multi-annual contribution from the general budget of the European Union, the Steering Committee shall approve the annual budget proposal, acting by unanimity.