The IALC is governed by its International Council.

The delegates for the International Council are nominated by each national Federation. Each federation has the right to one delegate or more depending on the total number of Lyceum Club members in the National Federation and varies from one delegate (20-50 members) to eight (2501-3000 members) or more.

The International Council meets at the IALC’s International Congress, held every three years between March and June in a city with an active Lyceum Club. The International Congress is open to all Lyceum Club members worldwide. In addition to the formal meetings of the International Council, the Congress offers a rich program of keynote addresses, discussion groups, musical, cultural and other social activities, organised by the host Lyceum Club in conjunction with the IALC.

The official languages of the International Congress are English, French and German.