LOCATION

Charleville-Mézières, France

EXECUTIF COMMITTEE

UNIMA is governed by an Executive Committee of 18 members, with 5 of these members serving on the Board.

• 

  UNIMA International President

  Karen Smith

  Australia

• 

  UNIMA General Secretary

  Dimitri Jageneau

  Belgium

• 

  UNIMA Vice President

  Tito Lorefice

  Argentina

• 

  UNIMA Vice President

  Cariad Astles

  UK

• 

  UNIMA Treasurer

  Lucile Bodson

  France

SECRETARIAT OFFICE

• Secretariat

  Emmanuelle Castang

  France

  Administration, UNIMA Project Coordinator

  Email: contact@unima.org

• Communications Manager

  Goran Zelic

  Ireland, Croatia

  Assistant General Secretary

  Email: info@unima.org, web@unima.org

COMMISSION

UNIMA comprises 16 specialized commissions led by members of the Executive, serving as chairs and presidents

• · Africa Commission

• · Asia-Pacific Commission

• · Communication & Public Relations Commission

• · Cooperation Commission

• · Education, Development and Therapy Commission

• · Europe Commission

• · Heritage, Museums and Documentation Centers Commission

• · Humanitas Commission

• · International Festivals Commission

• · Professional Training Commission

• · Publication & Contemporary Writing Commission

• · Research Commission

• · Statutes Commission

• · Three Americas Commission

• · Youth Commission

ROLE

• The role of UNIMA is to promote puppetry as a vital medium for cultural expression, education, and global connection. Through its governing bodies—including the Congress, Council, Auditing Commission, Executive Committee, Board, 16 specialized Commissions, National Centres, and Representatives—UNIMA fosters international collaboration, supports events, research, and professional training, and advocates for puppeteers' rights. By preserving puppetry traditions and encouraging innovation, UNIMA contributes to arts development, and cultural diplomacy, and promotes values such as peace and mutual understanding across communities worldwide.

OPERATIONS

• UNIMA International, with its office in Charleville-Mézières, France, manages all UNIMA National Centres and representations, along with direct members in countries without an established center. Together with its governing bodies, UNIMA organizes Councils and Congresses, which serve as platforms for decision-making and collaboration among members. The Council, composed of elected Councillors from member countries, meets to discuss initiatives and guide the organization's activities. The Congress, held every four years, serves as the supreme body where significant decisions are made, including the selection of host countries for future events.

MEMBER STATE

• UNIMA encompasses more than 90 countries and boasts over 7,000 members