# Union of International Associations

> organization

**Wikidata**: [Q549714](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q549714)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_of_International_Associations)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/union-of-international-associations

## Summary
The Union of International Associations (UIA) is an international non-governmental organization founded in 1907 in Brussels, Belgium that serves as a documentation center and research institute focused on international organizations and associations worldwide.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 1907 by Henri La Fontaine and Paul Otlet
- Headquartered in Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium at Rue Washington 40, B-1050 Ixelles, Bruxelles
- Operates as an international non-governmental organization, documentation center, research institute, and nonprofit organization
- Member of the Conference of NGOs and has a partnership with UNESCO
- Key founding figure Paul Otlet was a Belgian author, librarian, and anti-colonial thinker born on August 23, 1868
- Maintains a website at http://www.uia.org/ and is available in 10 Wikipedia languages
- Has multiple international identifiers including ISNI (0000000122996863) and VIAF ID (134262452)
- Also known as UIA, CIPO, Union des Associations Internationales, and Office Central des Institutions Internationales

## FAQs
### Q: What is the Union of International Associations?
A: The Union of International Associations (UIA) is an international non-governmental organization founded in 1907 in Brussels. It serves as a documentation center and research institute that focuses on international organizations and associations worldwide.

### Q: Who founded the Union of International Associations?
A: The Union of International Associations was founded in 1907 by Henri La Fontaine and Paul Otlet, a Belgian author, librarian, and anti-colonial thinker.

### Q: Where is the Union of International Associations located?
A: The organization is headquartered in Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium at Rue Washington 40, B-1050 Ixelles, Bruxelles.

### Q: What is the purpose of the Union of International Associations?
A: The UIA operates as a documentation center and research institute focused on international organizations and associations. It is also a member of the Conference of NGOs and has partnerships with organizations like UNESCO.

## Why It Matters
The Union of International Associations plays a crucial role in documenting and connecting the global network of international organizations. Founded during the early days of international cooperation, it has served as an information hub for nearly a century, facilitating collaboration between NGOs and international bodies. Its comprehensive documentation work helps researchers, policymakers, and organizations understand the complex landscape of global civil society and international cooperation. By maintaining this historical and contemporary record, the UIA contributes to the study of international relations and helps track the evolution of global governance structures.

## Notable For
- One of the oldest continuously operating international organizations, founded in 1907
- Pioneering documentation center for international associations, predating many modern information systems
- Key figure Paul Otlet was an early pioneer of information science and the concept of a universal documentation system
- Maintains a comprehensive database of international organizations that serves researchers worldwide
- Official partner with UNESCO, demonstrating its recognized importance in the international NGO community

## Body
### Organization Structure
The Union of International Associations is based in Brussels, Belgium, with headquarters at Rue Washington 40, B-1050 Ixelles, Bruxelles. It operates as an international non-governmental organization, documentation center, research institute, and nonprofit organization. The organization is a member of the Conference of NGOs and has an official partnership with UNESCO.

### Historical Background
Founded in 1907 by Henri La Fontaine and Paul Otlet, the UIA has maintained continuous operation for over a century. Paul Otlet, a Belgian author, librarian, and anti-colonial thinker born on August 23, 1868, played a pivotal role in establishing the organization's mission of documenting international organizations and associations.

### Documentation and Research
As a research institute, the UIA focuses on gathering and disseminating information about international organizations and associations. It maintains comprehensive databases and publications that document the global landscape of NGOs, international bodies, and related organizations. This work supports research in international relations, global governance, and civil society studies.

### International Recognition and Identifiers
The UIA is recognized internationally with numerous identifiers:
- ISNI: 0000000122996863
- VIAF ID: 134262452
- GND ID: 1011146-3
- Bibliothèque Nationale de France ID: 11990201m
- Library of Congress Authority ID: n80036632
- EU Participant Identification Code: 951358153

The organization is represented in multiple national library systems and has a presence in 10 Wikipedia language editions.

### Digital Presence
The UIA maintains an official website at http://www.uia.org/, available in English. The organization is active on Wikipedia with articles in Catalan, German, English, Esperanto, French, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Swedish languages, reflecting its international scope and the accessibility of its documentation.

### Naming and Identity
The organization is commonly known by several names including UIA (most common), CIPO, Union des Associations Internationales (its French name), and Office Central des Institutions Internationales. Its official name in native languages is Union of International Associations and Union des Associations Internationales.

## References

1. [Member Organizations](https://ngocongo.org/member-organizations/)
2. BnF authorities
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. CiNii Research
5. [Source](https://ngocongo.org/member-organizations/)
6. [Source](https://www.unesco.org/sites/default/files/medias/fichiers/2023/10/UNESCO_List%20NGOs%20official%20partnership%20-%20Liste%20ONG%20partenariat%20officiel_September2023.pdf)
7. Quora
8. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File