Glossary Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations (Committee of Experts) – The Committee is made up of 20 independent experts from different fields who review the extent to which ILO Conventions and Recommendations are being applied. Its conclusions are published in a report in March each year and are discussed at the International Labour Conference by the Committee on the Application of Standards. Commission of Inquiry – This is made up of three members who are appointed by the Governing Body on the Director-General’s recommendation. It is specifically established under the Article 26 complaints procedure to review a reported violation of a ratified ILO Convention. Conference Committee on the Application of Standards (Applications Committee) – This is a Tripartite Committee which which meets every year at the International Labour Conference. It debates issues arising from the ILO Committee of Experts’ report on both the general implementation of standards and country-specific cases. Governing Body – The Governing Body is the executive council of the ILO. It implements policy decisions taken at the International Labour Conference and elsewhere in the ILO system. It drafts the ILO programme and budget for discussion at the International Labour Conference and also elects the ILO’s Director-General. responsible for research, publications and training. The Governing Body elects its Director-General for a renewable period of five years. International Labour Organization (ILO) – This is a specialized agency of the United Nations system, which develops and promotes international labour standards. The ILO is a tripartite organization which means that representatives of trade unions, employers’ organizations and governments are all represented in the ILO’s decisionmaking process. ILO mechanism – This is another term for procedure. Ratification – This is a formal act in which a state agrees to be bound by a specific Convention or Treaty. The internal procedure may vary from country to country and may include the approval or endorsement by the Parliament. However, ratification is completed when a formal communication such as a letter or other document is received by the international organization in charge of that Convention, i.e. the ILO, and is registered. Recommendation – This is mainly to provide guidance on how a Convention or Treaty can be implemented in a practical manner. It is non-binding, cannot be ratified and does not create any obligations. Standard – This is a Convention, Covenant, Treaty or other international agreement, which lays down the minimum provisions or guidelines on a specific subject. Instrument – This is another term for a document such as a Convention, Covenant, Declaration, Recommendation, Treaty, etc. State Party – Country that is bound by a specific Convention or Treaty. International Labour Conference – The International Labour Conference meets annually to discuss and set the ILO’s policies and priorities. It debates and adopts new ILO Conventions and Recommendations, and monitors the implementation of existing labour standards. It also adopts the ILO’s budget and elects its Governing Body from among its members. Tripartite Committees of the Governing Body – These are made up of three members of the Governing Body, one from each of the ILO constituent members – i.e. employers, workers and government groups. Tripartite Committees are specifically established under the Article 24 representation procedures to review a reported violation of a ratified ILO Convention. International Labour Office – The International Labour Office is the permanent secretariat of the ILO, 2 THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION: A HANDBOOK FOR MINORITIES AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLES