# World Peace Council > international disarmament organization **Wikidata**: [Q1354497](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1354497) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Peace_Council) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/world-peace-council ## Summary The World Peace Council was established in 1950. It emerged as an international organization during the early Cold War period. The council's formation reflected efforts to promote global peace initiatives amid geopolitical tensions. Its activities and influence were shaped by the political climate of the time. ## Summary The World Peace Council (WPC) is an international disarmament organization founded in 1950, dedicated to promoting global peace and nuclear disarmament. It operates as a non-governmental organization with headquarters in Athens and has been led by a succession of prominent figures since its inception. The WPC has maintained partnerships with entities like UNESCO and has influenced global peace movements through initiatives such as the Stockholm Appeal. ## Key Facts - Founded in 1950 as an international disarmament organization - Classified as both an international organization and a non-governmental organization - Headquarters located in Athens, Greece - Current president is Pallab Sengupta, elected in 2022 - Notable past leaders include Frédéric Joliot-Curie, Romesh Chandra, and Albertina Sisulu - Organizes the World Peace Council prizes - Partner of UNESCO since at least 2023 - Archives held at the International Institute of Social History and La contemporaine - Maintains a website at http://www.wpc-in.org (in English) - Operates under aliases including Consejo Mundial por la Paz, CMP, and 世界平和会議 - Associated with the Stockholm Appeal as a significant event - Active in multiple languages with Wikipedia entries in 29 languages - Identifier codes include ISNI: 000000012149620X, VIAF: 121919790, and GND: 2026634-0 ## FAQs ### What is the World Peace Council? The World Peace Council is an international disarmament organization established in 1950 to advocate for global peace and nuclear disarmament. It functions as a non-governmental organization with a long-standing commitment to anti-war activism and international solidarity. ### When was the World Peace Council founded? The World Peace Council was founded in 1950. It emerged during the Cold War era as part of global efforts to prevent nuclear proliferation and promote peaceful coexistence. ### Who leads the World Peace Council? As of 2022, the president of the World Peace Council is Pallab Sengupta. Previous leaders include notable figures such as Frédéric Joliot-Curie (1950–1958), Romesh Chandra (1966–1990), and Albertina Sisulu (1993–2002). ### Where is the World Peace Council based? The organization is headquartered in Athens, Greece, with geographic coordinates approximately at latitude 37.97415833 and longitude 23.73370278. ### What organizations is the World Peace Council associated with? The WPC is a partner of UNESCO, as confirmed by official documentation from 2023. It also collaborates with various peace and solidarity organizations globally. ### What are the main activities of the World Peace Council? The WPC focuses on disarmament advocacy, organizing peace initiatives like the Stockholm Appeal, and awarding the World Peace Council prizes. It also convenes assemblies to discuss global peace strategies. ### Is the World Peace Council still active? Yes, the WPC remains active, as evidenced by its 22nd Assembly held in Vietnam in 2022, where Pallab Sengupta was elected as the new president. ### What is the Stockholm Appeal? The Stockholm Appeal was a major initiative associated with the WPC, calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons. It was one of the organization's most significant early campaigns. ### Does the World Peace Council have archives? Yes, its archives are preserved at institutions such as the International Institute of Social History and La contemporaine in France. ### What languages does the World Peace Council operate in? The WPC operates in multiple languages, with its website available in English and Wikipedia entries in 29 languages including Arabic, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, and French. ## Why It Matters The World Peace Council plays a critical role in global disarmament advocacy and peace-building efforts. Since its founding in 1950, it has mobilized international support for nuclear abolition and peaceful conflict resolution. Its influence spans continents, with leadership from prominent scientists, activists, and political figures who have shaped global discourse on peace. The WPC’s initiatives, such as the Stockholm Appeal, have historically galvanized public opinion and policy discussions on disarmament. Its ongoing partnerships with organizations like UNESCO underscore its continued relevance in contemporary peace movements. ## Notable For - Founding year: 1950, marking its emergence during the early Cold War - Headquarters in Athens, Greece, a strategic location in global peace activism - Long-standing leadership by internationally recognized figures like Frédéric Joliot-Curie and Romesh Chandra - Association with the historic Stockholm Appeal for nuclear disarmament - Official partnership with UNESCO since at least 2023 - Multilingual presence with extensive documentation and outreach in over 29 languages - Hosting of the World Peace Council prizes to recognize peace efforts globally - Archival preservation in major historical institutions like the International Institute of Social History - Operation as both an international and non-governmental organization, bridging formal and grassroots activism ## Body ### History The World Peace Council (WPC) was established in 1950 as a response to growing Cold War tensions and the nuclear arms race. It was founded to advocate for global peace and nuclear disarmament, aligning with broader socialist and anti-imperialist movements of the time. The organization quickly gained international prominence, launching initiatives such as the Stockholm Appeal, which called for the abolition of nuclear weapons and garnered millions of signatures worldwide. ### Leadership Since its inception, the WPC has been led by a succession of influential figures: - **Frédéric Joliot-Curie** (1950–1958), a French physicist and Nobel laureate - **John Desmond Bernal** (1959–1965), British scientist and peace activist - **Isabelle Blume** (1965–1969), German peace advocate - **Romesh Chandra** (1966–1990), Indian physician and peace leader - **Evangelos Maheras** (1990–1993), Greek academic - **Albertina Sisulu** (1993–2002), South African anti-apartheid activist - **Orlando Fundora López** (2002–2008), Cuban diplomat - **Socorro Gomes** (2008–2022), Brazilian activist - **Pallab Sengupta** (2022–present), Indian peace organizer, elected at the 22nd Assembly in Vietnam ### Structure and Classification The WPC is classified as both an international organization and a non-governmental organization (NGO). It operates independently of state governments but maintains global reach and influence. The organization is headquartered in Athens, Greece, and functions through a network of national affiliates and peace organizations. ### Activities and Initiatives The WPC is known for organizing the **Stockholm Appeal**, one of its most significant early campaigns advocating for nuclear disarmament. It also awards the **World Peace Council prizes** to individuals and organizations contributing to peace efforts. The WPC convenes regular assemblies to discuss global peace strategies, with the most recent being the 22nd Assembly in Vietnam in 2022. ### Partnerships and Affiliations The WPC maintains a formal partnership with **UNESCO**, as documented in official partnership lists from 2023. This collaboration underscores the WPC’s role in global educational and cultural initiatives related to peace. The organization also works with various national and regional peace councils and solidarity movements. ### Archives and Documentation Archives of the WPC are preserved at: - **International Institute of Social History** (Netherlands) - **La contemporaine** (France), with archival reference "4 delta 0869" These collections include documents, photographs, and records of the WPC’s activities, leadership transitions, and global campaigns. ### Online Presence and Resources The WPC maintains a website at [http://www.wpc-in.org](http://www.wpc-in.org), which is available in English. The site provides updates on activities, statements from leadership, and historical resources. The organization also has a presence on Wikimedia Commons with a dedicated category and locator map image showing global membership. ### Multilingual Reach The WPC operates in multiple languages, with Wikipedia entries in 29 languages including: Arabic, Bulgarian, Bengali, Czech, Danish, German, Greek, English, Esperanto, Spanish, Persian, Finnish, French, Armenian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Dutch, Punjabi, Polish, Russian, Slovak, Swedish, Turkish, Ukrainian, and Chinese. ### Identifier Codes and Catalog Records The WPC is cataloged under numerous international identifiers: - **ISNI**: 000000012149620X - **VIAF**: 121919790 - **GND**: 2026634-0 - **Library of Congress Authority ID**: n79022235 - **Bibliothèque nationale de France ID**: 11989902v - **National Library of Spain ID**: XX163845 - And many others across global library systems These identifiers facilitate research and archival access to the WPC’s historical and contemporary materials. ### Legacy and Influence The WPC has left a lasting impact on global peace movements, particularly through its early campaigns and collaborations with prominent scientists and activists. Its advocacy has contributed to international dialogue on disarmament and continues to influence contemporary peace-building efforts. The organization’s longevity and adaptability highlight its enduring relevance in the pursuit of global peace. ## References 1. CiNii Research 2. BnF authorities 3. [Source](http://hdl.handle.net/10622/ARCH01662) 4. [Source](http://www.calames.abes.fr/pub/lacontemporaine.aspx#details?id=FileId-2152) 5. [The WPC at its 22nd Assembly in Vietnam, 73 years after its establishment. 2022](https://www.wpc-in.org/statements/wpc-its-22nd-assembly-vietnam-73-years-after-its-establishment) 6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 7. Czech National Authority Database 8. Virtual International Authority File 9. [Source](https://www.unesco.org/sites/default/files/medias/fichiers/2023/10/UNESCO_List%20NGOs%20official%20partnership%20-%20Liste%20ONG%20partenariat%20officiel_September2023.pdf)