Welcome to the office of the International Progress Organization

© I.P.O., July 1996

Since its foundation in 1972, the International Progress Organization has constantly propagated the democratization of international relations. As already stated in our founding declaration, true and genuine progress must be based on tolerance and respect for each other's culture and value system. In the age of mass communication mankind is developing towards a global multicultural society. Major conflicts may only be avoided if we abandon traditional ethnocentric attitudes and learn to accept the existence of other cultures different from our own.

In several respects, our organization was well ahead of time when it pointed to crucial issues of our evolving global society. The philosophy of an intercultural dialogue, which we presented at our inaugural conference, contains in its essence the principles tolerance and respect for each other's value system and way of life.

Since its foundation the International Progress Organization has called for a new world order based on the full realization of the principles of the United Nations Charter. In our view, this implies a multi-polar balance of power along the lines of the too early abandoned North-South dialogue. The bipolar system of the post-war era should not lead to a unipolar power structure at the expense of the developing world, which would inevitably bring about another division of the globe. The North-South conflict will only be aggravated by the unrivaled rule of the industrialized world.

The call of I.P.O. for the establishment of a just and more equitable international economic order cannot be separated from our dealing with the causes of major regional conflicts that are threatening peace and stability in the whole world, whether in the Middle East, in Asia, Africa, or Latin America. Our organization firmly believes in the rule of law in international relations. This implies that all traces of traditional power politics should be eliminated from the United Nations system. It is for this reason that we are supporting the worldwide movement for a more democratic United Nations. Only with a democratic structure will the UN organization enjoy the legitimacy necessary to provide the framework for conflict resolution on the basis of the concept of truly collective security.

We will continue to point to the crucial issues of a world order of peace and equality among peoples, nations, and -- not the least -- citizens of all cultures and races. In the 21st century "progress" must not be understood in a narrow materialistic sense. This would inevitably lead to major wars, of which we have only seen the beginning. The concept of human rights -- if it is to be more than a tool of hegemonial foreign policy -- has to be applied to all aspects of society: cultural, economic, political. Only if human rights are established as the guiding principles of international law can we credibly proclaim a "New World Order" of peace and justice. This is the message of the International Progress Organization at the beginning of a new era after the crumbling of the traditional system of power-sharing between East and West. Whether the new era will also mean a new order (and not just a revival of old-fashioned power politics), is a matter to which true cosmopolitans must not be indifferent. The members of the International Progress Organization will definitely raise their voice when "democracy," "human rights," and the "rule of law" will be redefined as the basis for a global, intercultural consensus on a peaceful new order that deserves its name.