Research / Statistics

International Organization Information / Research: 1959 (Part #6)

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University teaching on international non-governmental co-operation: During a visit to New York from 28 November to 20 December 1958 the UIA General-Secretary made contact with the specialist professors at Columbia University and New York University in order to draw attention to the reasons why teaching on international non-governmental organizations should be introduced in university courses.

The idea met with a favorable response, but first it involves the solution of documentation problems which must, it is suggested, be tackled by the UIA. To begin with, material is almost totally lacking, as the universities have not tackled the field at all, and apart from UIA publications only two books have been devoted to it, and they are by one and the same author.

Considering that some 1.800 international organizations in all have been established in little more than a century, and they have held over 20.000 congresses, the fact may seem unbelievable. But it is unfortunately true.

In itself this sociological phenomenon of the spontaneous grouping of individuals from different nations, which has preceded and stimulated collaboration between States, deserves to be studied from the historical standpoint.

There are, however, even more important motives for detailed research on international non-governmental organization. It is the latter's task to encourage, in countries where historic conditions and economic under-development have not yet allowed it, the liberal growth of free associations, being the indispensable foundation of a democratic civilization where public opinion effectively plays its part of control and initiative.

The UIA should make special efforts to change the viewpoint of university professors and governing bodies and to secure the interest of Foundations in encouraging theses and research on the various aspects of present-day international organization and the future prospects, going beyond the traditional confines by which work is limited to the international law angle.