Union des Associations Internationales
Be aware that many international organizations receive requests for funding, even when they do not take the form of a foundation and do not offer subsidies. Most international organizations work under severe budget constraints. Often they do not even have the personnel to be able to acknowledge receipt of such requests.
International organizations are the subject of many surveys, whether for scholarly or commercial services -- or even from intergovernmental organizations. They therefore receive a multitude of questionnaires, which they are often unable to answer as they have very limited staff, even if they were willing to do so.
Many organizations do not necessarily welcome unsolicited inquiries, especially relating to proposals for commercial services. Some of them are essentially closed membership groups and see no need whatsoever for communication from external bodies. They may attempt to remove themselves from mailing lists for this reason. There is quite a strong resistance to direct mail advertising.
Circumstances often dictate that the secretariat be located in a place convenient to the most active participants, and in some cases they are set up as part of an office of a national member. Some secretariats rotate periodically amongst members in different locations. If the organization needs to be able to receive funds as a distinct legal entity, then the question of the legal status of the organization may become a very important factor in determining where the secretariat is located.
IGOs are in most cases established by a treaty that acts as a charter creating the group. Treaties are formed when lawful representatives (governments) of several states go through a ratification process providing the IGO with an international legal personality.
INGOs are usually registered in accordance with national law of the country or countries in which they are founded.
Data on the location of members and secretariats of international organizations are presented in the Yearbook of International Organizations. Secretariat staff are unable to deal with requests for contact information of organizations due to time and budgetary constraints, but we suggest the following pointers:
This is determined by the statutes or by-laws of each specific organization. You should contact an organization directly (or view the membership information on its website) for more information on requirements.
How many international organizations there are will depend on your criteria and methods for counting them. The UIA maintains information and statistics on over 68,000 international organizations (both active and inactive) that meet its criteria (see Types of organization for precise information on these criteria).
The information you provide is included free of charge and with no obligation on your part.
Please contact us and let us know to whom we should address the proof mailing.
