Our history begins in 1958
The Earth Constitution Institute (ECI) was founded in 2003 to build upon the pioneering work of the World Constitution and Parliament Association (WCPA), which was founded in 1958. What follows is a short history of both organizations, beginning with the decades of historic effort by WCPA that led to the completion of the Earth Constitution in 1991.
WCPA Initiates and Completes
the Framing of the Earth Constitution
In 1950, a People’s World Constituent Assembly was held in Geneva, Switzerland and attended by over 500 delegates from 45 countries. Preparatory Congresses were later held in Denver, Milan and Geneva. Albert Einstein’s writings and speeches were essential in spurring on the growth of this novel movement.
In 1958, as the threat of a nuclear war dominated the thoughts of humanity, Philip Isely, a visionary American businessman, founded WCPA. Isely and his supporters were inspired by the broad-based movement for world federation that had emerged in the post-World War II era and that culminated with the success of the 1950 world assembly in Geneva. Isely’s bold intention was not only to promote the principle of global governance, but to actually create a functioning democratic world government based on the framing of a new world constitution.
In 1968, after extensive correspondence with leaders worldwide and thanks to the backing of prominent supporters—including several Nobel Prize winners—Isely and his staff convened the first of four World Constituent Assemblies. Two hundred delegates from 27 countries on five continents met in Switzerland and West Germany to begin drafting what came to be called the Earth Constitution. This was an historic event in the annals of global politics. Pictured at left is a working session at this event.
In 1977, 1979, and 1991, the Earth Constitution was refined at three additional World Constituent Assemblies. Hundreds of jurists, politicians, diplomats, academics, and world-citizen activists participated in this project over the 23 years that began in 1968.
In 1991, the fourth World Constituent Assembly declared the document finished and ready for ratification. This dramatic act marked the historic birth of the Earth Constitution.
The Inaugural Meetings of the Provisional World Parliament
A crucial phase had already begun in 1982 with the first session of the Provisional World Parliament (PWP). It was held in England and was attended by delegates from 25 countries and from all continents. The purpose of the PWP its to act as an incubator for the official World Parliament of the future. As described in Article 19 of the Earth Constitution, its chief activity is to pass World Legislative Acts, and each piece of provisional legislation serves as a model and an inspiration for the people and governments of the world. The provisional legislation passed by this assembly has covered such issues as global disarmament, economic development, education, ownership of oceans and sea beds, and world courts.
Another high point was reached in 1985 when the Second Session of the Provisional World Parliament (PWP) was held in India (pictured above).
“World Order or a world perspective is not new to us in India. Our sages, saints, gurus, and philosophers from time immemorial have affirmed vasudaiva kutumbakam (“all humanity as one family”). World history and evolutionary trends reveal that humanity is aspiring and fast progressing towards realizing this essential unity.”
Pictured at left is the President of India, Zail Singh, who inaugurated the Second Session.
In addition to President Singh, both Dr. Reinhard Ruge from Mexico (co-president of WCPA) and Philip Isely (Secretary-General of WCPA) addresses the gathering of around 300 distinguished delegates.
Since these early times, WCPA has convened 14 more sessions of the Provisional World Parliament in such countries as the United States, India, Thailand, Libya, Spain, Malta, and Togo. These Parliaments passed dozens of additional pieces of provisional legislation. Beginning in 2003, Earth Constitution Institute assisted in the promotion and organization of these history-making world meetings.
It is notable that the Parliaments also have created the Collegium of World Judges, which provides a forum for judges and justices to speak on behalf of emerging world law under the Earth Constitution.
Today WCPA, ECI, and the Provisional World Parliament (PWP) are among the world’s most distinguished voices for the cause of democratic global government. ECI, together with WCPA and the PWP, have attracted support from people in nearly every country, including global leaders, luminaries, and world citizen activists. We are creating a world where a federated Earth is more than just an idea, far more than a mere dream for some distant future, but rather a liberating, timely, and emerging reality.
The World Constitution and Parliament Association (WCPA) is a registered name of the Earth Constitution Institute, located in Virginia, USA. WCPA is also registered in Bangalore, India, to facilitate our international and global work.
