Inter-Parliamentary Union
The Inter-Parliamentary Union is an international organization established in 1889 by William Randal Cremer (United Kingdom) and Frédéric Passy (France). It was the first permanent forum for political multilateral negotiations. Initially, the organization was for individual parliamentarians, but has since transformed into an international organization of the Parliaments of sovereign States. Over one hundred national parliaments are members of the IPU.
Leading personalities of the IPU have received eight Nobel Peace Prizes:
The IPU played an important part in setting up the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, and has worked for establishment of institutions at the inter-governmental level, including the United Nations, an organization with which it cooperates. The IPU has permanent observer status at the United Nations.The Inter-Parliamentary Union began in 1889
The headquarters of the union have been moved several times since its inception.
Locations:
- 1892 - 1911: Bern, Switzerland
- 1911 - 1914: Brussels, Belgium
- 1914 - 1920: Oslo, Norway
- 1921 - permanent in Geneva, Switzerland
