which make these possible To collaborate in the interchange of economic, political and cultural influences between Europe and Ibero-America To collaborate with its members ensure that their education systems are compassionate, democratic (socially fair) and productive, preparing for working life To collaborate in the diffusion of a common culture, respecting the uniqueness of its member states, encouraging global advances in science and technology while retaining cultural identity To facilitate relationships among science, technology and society in the Ibero-American countries and citizen understanding of their effects To promote the equitable distribution of cultural, technological and scientific concepts To promote lateral cooperation among member states and between the states and other regional institutions To contribute to the spread of the Spanish and Portuguese languages, encouraging bilingual education while preserving the multicultural identity of the Ibero-American communities with a multilingual culture Structure The OEI consists of three bodies: the General Assembly, the Directive Council and the General Secretariat. General Assembly The General Assembly, the supreme authority of the organization, is composed of representatives (or delegations) from member States. It establishes OEI policies, evaluates and approves the organization's plan of activities, program and global budget, fixes annual dues and chooses the secretary-general. Directive Council The Directive Council is delegated by the General Assembly to control the OEI's government and administration. Made up of the member states' ministers of education (or their representatives), it is governed by the education minister of the country in which the next General Assembly meeting will be held. Its primary function is to analyze and approve the report of activities, programs, the biennial budget and the OEI's financial statement. General Secretariat The General Secretariat is delegated by the General Assembly as executive director of the OEI, representing it to governments, international organizations and other institutions. It directs, administers and executes the organization's programs and projects. The General Secretariat has a flexible internal structure, adaptable according to policies, strategies and the plan of activities. Member states The following 23 states are members of the Organization of Ibero-American States: See also Ibero-American Summit Iberophone Ibero-America Organization of American States Community of Latin American and Caribbean States Community of Portuguese Language Countries Three Linguistic Spaces References External links Organization of Ibero-American States Organization of Ibero-American States The Ibero-American Space - A community for all - Official website of the Secretary General of Ibero-America Intergovernmental organizations Organisations based in Madrid 1949 establishments in Spain