On 22 May the Union of International Associations celebrated 115 years since the First World Congress of International Organizations gave the UIA the name it proudly bears today, with two notable events, as a Supercentenary.
A prestigious academic workshop on ‘Preserving and Using the Documentary Heritage of International Associations’ brought together historians, archivists, international organization staff and volunteers for a series of presentations highlighting the value of documenting the history of international associations and their important role in the world. Initiated by Daniel Laqua, UIA Active Member, Associate Professor of European History, Northumbria University, with Georgina Brewis, Professor of Social History at University College London, and supported by the British Academy, this session was appreciated for its focus on the relevance of international organizations and their function.
Later, Celebrating the Past, Present and Future of International Associations drew in others from international associations to join the workshop participants for a session of presentations, followed by a reception. Perpetuation of the UIA is of major importance, said Cyril Ritchie, President of the UIA, and Patrick Bontinck of visit.brussels – sponsor of the event – recalled the origins of the UIA as imagined by Otlet and LaFontaine. Daniel Laqua and Elizabeth Bloodgood, Associate Professor of Political Science, Concordia University, also an Active Member of UIA, gave context to the foundation of UIA in a period of international changes, and Professor Bloodgood revealed that UIA data have been cited no less than 18,390 times in 225 research publications. An exhibition of posters with various visualizations of international organization relationships was on display.
A brilliant talk by Jessica Reinisch, Professor of Modern European History, Birkbeck, University of London, discussed two ways of looking at the big picture of international organizations, illustrated by significant congresses which were milestones in the positive development of international life, contrasted with other events which reflected negatively on it, reaching to the present day. In her view, international organizations will not disappear.
Cyril Ritchie concluded by announcing the intention of UIA to follow this fascinating day by instituting an Academic Forum, thanking the speakers and sponsors, and anticipating continued support for the Union of International Associations.
Issue #17 – June 2025