WHAT IS THE INTERNATIONAL PROGRESS
ORGANIZATION?
The International Progress Organization is a
non-governmental
organization that enjoys consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the
United Nations and is associated with the United Nations Department of
Public Information. The I.P.O. is not affiliated with any political party or
group. It is
strictly non-partisan, and not aligned with any government. The I.P.O. cherishes its
independence and its reputation for tackling complex international issues with candor,
toughness and objectivity.
The organization, based in Vienna, Austria, sponsors international conferences
and research seminars on topics such as democracy,
human rights, dialogue of civilizations,
conflict resolution,
international law, and economic
development;
monitors elections and the human rights situation in various countries; co-operates with academic institutions and international NGOs on
all continents;
and
publishes the series "Studies in International Relations."
The I.P.O. was founded in 1972 in Innsbruck, Austria, by students from Austria, India and
Egypt who were concerned about relations between cultures and
civilizations and the growing North-South divide. Today it has members from over 70
countries.
The organization understands progress in its broadest sense: as advancement in the
humanitarian, ethical, spiritual, cultural and economic fields. It has made substantial contributions to the worldwide debate on
United Nations
reform,
civilizational dialogue, globalization,
and international terrorism. U.N. Secretaries-General
Kurt Waldheim, Javier Pérez de Cuéllar and Boutros Boutros-Ghali have repeatedly
expressed their appreciation of the I.P.O.'s initiatives.
On the basis of a resolution of the United Nations Security Council, Secretary-General Kofi Annan has chosen the I.P.O. to send international
observers to the Scottish Court in the Netherlands (2000-2002).
The
I.P.O. is led by an Executive Board which consists of a President, three
Vice-Presidents, and additional members who are elected by the General Assembly
or appointed by the President. They serve four year terms of office. The President is
Dr. Hans Köchler. One of the original founders of
the I.P.O.,
Köchler, a citizen of Austria, is an author and a Professor of Philosophy at the
University of Innsbruck. He is the former Head of
the Philosophy Department of that University and Visiting Professor at
the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. The organization has representatives at the main
offices of the United Nations.
The I.P.O. aims to encourage cultural exchange between all nations,
attempts to promote tolerance towards all nationalities and cultures, and emphasizes human
liberties, social and economic development, peace, and the international rule of
law.
Statement by the President of the I.P.O.
|