the organizational structure of the icrc is not well understood by outsiders. this is partly because of organizational secrecy, but also because the structure itself has been prone to frequent change. the assembly and presidency are two long-standing institutions, but the assembly council and directorate were created only in the latter part of the twentieth century. decisions are often made in a collective way, so authority and power relationships are not set in stone. today, the leading organs are the directorate and the assembly.