The World Constitutional Convention (WCC), also known as the World Constituent Assembly (WCA) or the First World Constituent Assembly, took place in Interlaken, Switzerland and

Wolfach Wolfach ( gsw, label= Low Alemannic, Wolfä) is a town in the Black Forest and part of the Ortenaukreis in Baden-Württemberg (Germany). It is a well-known spa town. Geography Geographical Position Wolfach lies where the two rivers Wolf and ...

, Germany, 1968. The convention aimed to foster global cooperation and world peace through the development of a

World constitution A world constitution refers to a proposed framework or document aimed at establishing a system of global governance. It seeks to provide a set of principles, structures, and laws to govern the relationships between states and address global iss ...

and establishment of a democratic

federal Federal or foederal (archaic) may refer to: Politics General *Federal monarchy, a federation of monarchies *Federation, or ''Federal state'' (federal system), a type of government characterized by both a central (federal) government and states or ...

world government. The initiative to convene the convention was led by

World Constitution Coordinating Committee The World Constitution Coordinating Committee (WCCC) was an international committee led by Thane Read to build widespread support for the development and establishment of a World constitution. It was officially established in 1962. It was formed t ...

, who sought support from notable individuals around the world. The "Call to all nations," an appeal signed by prominent figures, urged countries to send delegates to Geneva for the historic World Constitutional Convention. Several

Nobel laureates The Nobel Prizes ( sv, Nobelpriset, no, Nobelprisen) are awarded annually by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, the Swedish Academy, the Karolinska Institutet, and the Norwegian Nobel Committee to individuals and organizations who make ou ...

were among the notable signatories of the call. Other notable figures such as Edward Condon,

Edris Rice-Wray Carson Edris Roushan Rice-Wray (January 21, 1904 in Newark, Essex County, New Jersey, United States – February 19, 1990 in San Andres Cholula, Puebla, Mexico), was a pioneer in medical research who helped to prove the worth of the oral contracep ...

, and Martin Luther King Jr. endorsed it as well. Hundreds of participants from various countries attended the convention in 1968, where a proposed constitution was drafted. The

World Committee for a World Constitutional Convention In its most general sense, the term "world" refers to the totality of entities, to the whole of reality or to everything that is. The nature of the world has been conceptualized differently in different fields. Some conceptions see the wor ...

, subsequently renamed the World Constitution and Parliament Association, later organized a Second World Constituent Assembly in

Innsbruck Innsbruck (; bar, Innschbruck, label=Bavarian language, Austro-Bavarian ) is the capital of Tyrol (state), Tyrol and the List of cities and towns in Austria, fifth-largest city in Austria. On the Inn (river), River Inn, at its junction with the ...

, Austria, in 1977. During the 1977 assembly, the delegates adopted the " Constitution for the Federation of Earth," commonly known as the 'Earth Constitution'. After its adoption, the WCPA issued a call for ratification, urging nations and peoples of Earth to endorse the Earth Constitution. Copies of the proposed Earth Constitution were sent to various entities, including the United Nations, national governments, and universities, seeking their support and cooperation in the ratification process. The proposed Earth Constitution has never been ratified by any country.

Background

Albert Einstein and Peoples' World Convention (PWC)

Albert Einstein grew increasingly convinced that the world was veering off course. He arrived at the conclusion that the gravity of the situation demanded more profound actions and the establishment of a " world government" was the only logical solution. In his "Open Letter to the General Assembly of the United Nations" of October 1947, Einstein emphasized the urgent need for international cooperation and the establishment of a world government. In the year 1948, Einstein invited United World Federalists, Inc. (UWF) president Cord Meyer to a meeting of ECAS and joined UWF as a member of the Advisory Board. Einstein and ECAS assisted UWF in fundraising and provided supporting material. Einstein described

United World Federalists Citizens for Global Solutions is a grassroots membership organization in the United States. History Five world federalist organizations merged in 1947 to form the United World Federalists, Inc., later renamed World Federalists-USA. In 1975, ...

as: "the group nearest to our aspirations". Einstein and other prominent figures such as Gerhard Domagk, Robert Hutchins,

Kerstin Hesselgren Kerstin Hesselgren (14 January 1872 – 19 August 1962) was a Swedish politician. Hesselgren became the first woman to be elected into the Upper House of the Swedish Parliament after female suffrage was introduced in 1921. She was elected by sugg ...

John Steinbeck John Ernst Steinbeck Jr. (; February 27, 1902 – December 20, 1968) was an American writer and the 1962 Nobel Prize in Literature winner "for his realistic and imaginative writings, combining as they do sympathetic humor and keen social ...

, William Beveridge, Hu Shih, Albert Camus, Toyohiko Kagawa, Yehudi Menuhin,

Jacques Maritain Jacques Maritain (; 18 November 1882 – 28 April 1973) was a French Catholic philosopher. Raised Protestant, he was agnostic before converting to Catholicism in 1906. An author of more than 60 books, he helped to revive Thomas Aquinas fo ...

John Boyd Orr John Boyd Orr, 1st Baron Boyd-Orr, (23 September 1880 – 25 June 1971), styled Sir John Boyd Orr from 1935 to 1949, was a Scottish teacher, medical doctor, biologist, nutritional physiologist, politician, businessman and farmer who was awarde ...

, Thomas Mann, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, Roberto Rossellini and Hans Thirring sponsored the Peoples' World Convention (PWC) also known as Peoples' World Constituent Assembly (PWCA), which took place in 1950–51 and later continued in the form of world constituent assemblies in 1968, 1977, 1979, and 1991. 500 people from 45 countries attended the Peoples' World Convention (PWC) at Palais Electoral, Geneva, Switzerland from December 30, 1950 to January 5, 1951.

World Constitution Coordinating Committee

In 1958,

Thane Read William Thane Read (29 June 1912 – 23 October 1996) was an American advocate for global peace. He was a descendant of George Read, Founding Father of the United States and best known for his leadership in leading the World Constitution Coor ...

, an independent U.S. economist, decided to consider a means to foster global cooperation and peace through the establishment of a democratic

world government. He initiated the "Call to all nations," an appeal signed by individuals from around the world, urging countries to send delegates to Geneva for a World Constitutional Convention. The primary objective of this convention was to draft a constitution that would pave the way for a representative parliament representing all of humanity. Joining Read in his mission were Janet Frenzel, Lloyd D. Oxley, Evelyn Martin, and Morikatsu Inagaki, who collectively established an office in Phoenix, Arizona, US, as the World Constitution Coordinating Committee, to garner support for the proposed World Constitutional Convention. The committee engaged in extensive communication efforts with governments, religious institutions, educational societies, political parties, labor unions, and various organizations capable of effecting change, seeking their collaboration in advocating for the convention. The appeal received overwhelming support from prominent individuals across diverse fields and countries. Nobel laureates, including Albert Szent-Györgyi,

Linus Pauling Linus Carl Pauling (; February 28, 1901August 19, 1994) was an American chemist, biochemist, chemical engineer, peace activist, author, and educator. He published more than 1,200 papers and books, of which about 850 dealt with scientific top ...

, and Bertrand Russell, endorsed the Call, alongside eminent leaders like Martin Luther King Jr.,

President of Pakistan The president of Pakistan ( ur, , translit=s̤adr-i Pākiṣṭān), officially the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is the ceremonial head of state of Pakistan and the commander-in-chief of the Pakistan Armed Forces.Muhammad Ayub Khan, and President of Costa Rica Francisco J. Orlich and many more. This widespread support set the stage for the World Constitutional Convention and the Peoples World Parliament, held in Interlaken, Switzerland, and

, Germany, in 1968. Attended by over 200 participants from 27 countries, these sessions marked the beginning of drafting a world constitution for a global federal government, ultimately leading to the development of the Constitution for the Federation of Earth, also known as the "Earth Constitution."

World Committee for a World Constitutional Convention

As the call for a World Constitutional Convention gained momentum, an U.S. Committee for a World Constitutional Convention was formed in 1958 later renamed as

(WCWCC) in 1959 with

Philip Isely Philip Isely (October 16, 1915 – June 26, 2012) was an American peace activist and writer best known for writing numerous books and founding the Global Ratification and Elections Network (GREN) (now known as Earth Federation Movement (EFM)) an ...

as Secretary. With established headquarters in Denver, Colorado in 1961, World Committee also issued calls to support the World Constitution Coordinating Committee (WCCC) and later played a significant roles in development of the world constitution. In 1966, World Committee for a World Constitutional Convention (WCWCC) was again renamed as

World Constitution and Parliament Association The World Constitution and Parliament Association (WCPA), formally known as the World Committee for a World Constitutional Convention (WCWCC), is an international committee established as an international non-governmental organization (INGO) de ...

(WCPA).

Consultative Council to the World Constitutional Convention

A consultative council for the World Constitutional Convention was also established in 1967, whose task was to engage in research and provide advice on specific topics connected with the drafting and ratification of the World Constitution. Max Habicht was the organizing chairman of the consultative council. Later, in late 1972, Consultative Council to the World Constitutional Convention (CCWCC) was succeeded by World Federal Authority Committee (WFAC).

Early debates

First Preparatory Congress

In 1963, the first Preparatory Congress took place at the Denver Hilton Hotel in Denver, Colorado, US, from September 3 to 8.

(WCWCC) was the organizer of the congress with Victor W. Haflich, then Member of the

State Legislature A state legislature is a legislative branch or body of a political subdivision in a federal system. Two federations literally use the term "state legislature": * The legislative branches of each of the fifty state governments of the United Sta ...

, Kansas, President; Dr. Neal Bishop, Vice President; Professor Agnes B.Hatfield, Secretary; T. E. Robertson Jr., Treasurer and

as Executive Director of committee. There were 126 participants from 15 countries. World Parliament Association (WPA) delegation,

Josué de Castro Josué de Castro, born Josué Apolônio de Castro (5 September 1908 – 24 September 1973), was a Brazilian physician, expert on nutrition, geographer, writer, public administrator, and activist against world hunger. His book ''Geopolitics of Hun ...

, Mary Tibaldi Chiesa and Janet Hartog from Europe also attended. Meeting was chaired by Josue de Castro, who was the Ambassador of Brazil in Geneva, Switzerland at the time, he was elected as President of World Committee for a World Constitutional Convention (WCWCC) along with

as Secretary General. During this congress, a call was issued to define the basic terms for the upcoming Convention and to invite people and governments from all nations to send delegates. This initial gathering laid the groundwork for the formal proceedings of the Convention and generated widespread interest in the prospect of creating a democratic federal World Government. Till that time World Constitutional Convention call had signatories numbering 1000 from 55 countries.

Second Preparatory Congress

In 1965, the second Preparatory Congress or Milan Congress was convened with the co-operation of Mary Tibaldi Chiesa in Milan, Italy. During this congress, specific terms and guidelines were established to commence the World Constitutional Convention and Peoples World Parliament. The delegates present at Milan debated whether delegates from national governments alone or delegates representing the peoples of the world should have the upper hand at the World Constituent Convention or Assembly. A decision to hold Peoples World Parliaments concurrently with preparatory congresses of delegates from national governments was made.

Third Preparatory Congress

In 1966, the third Preparatory Congress or Geneva Congress was held in Geneva, Switzerland. This congress played a crucial role in setting the stage for the World Constitutional Convention to be held in the subsequent year. Delegates at the Geneva congress finalized the terms and conditions for commencing the Convention and Parliament at Interlaken and

in 1968.

World Constitutional Convention and Peoples World Parliament

Three Preparatory Congresses collectively served as foundational steps in garnering support, defining objectives, and formulating a comprehensive plan for the World Constitutional Convention. In 1968, 200 delegates representing 27 countries from five continents met for the World Constitutional Convention and Peoples World Parliament at the Theatre Hall of the Congress Kursaal in Interlaken, Switzerland, on August, 27, 1968 to draft a constitution for a

world government. The event commenced on August 27 , and on September 2, 1968, sessions moved to

, Germany, where it concluded on September 12, 1968. The largest delegations to the Convention and Peoples Parliament comprised representatives from the United States of America, France, India, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and West Germany. Additionally, participants from Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Canada,

Ceylon Sri Lanka (, ; si, ශ්‍රී ලංකා, Śrī Laṅkā, translit-std=ISO (); ta, இலங்கை, Ilaṅkai, translit-std=ISO ()), formerly known as Ceylon and officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is an ...

(Sri Lanka), Colombia, Finland, Ghana, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Senegal, and Thailand were in attendance. Delegates from Czechoslovakia and Eastern Europe were unable to partake in the event as soviet Troops suddenly invaded Czechoslovokia. Among the delegates, notable figures such as Abbe Piere, Althya Youngman, Ahmed Jaffer,

Elisabeth Mann Borgese Elisabeth Veronika Mann Borgese, (24 April 1918 – 8 February 2002) was an internationally recognized expert on maritime law and policy and the protection of the environment. Called "the mother of the oceans", she has received the Order o ...

, Gonzalo Fernós López, Henri Huber, Kurt Bortner, Martin Niemoller, Max Habicht, Onkar Nath, Oskar Jedzini,

, R.K. Nehru, Theo Pontzen and Chief W. J. Falaiye, to name a few, were present.

Drafting Commission for the Constitution for the Federation of Earth

In Wolfach, Germany, a commission was established to draft a democratic federal world constitution, under the chairmanship of

. Isely's commission prepared the "Declaration of Wolfach".

Emergency Council of World Trustees

The renamed World Committee for a World Constitutional Convention (WCWCC), World Constitution and Parliament Association (WCPA) organized an Emergency Council of World Trustees (ECWT) during 1969 and 1971.

, secretary of E.C.W.T., in consultation with

and Lloyd Oxley draw a 'Proposal for Immediate Action' which was adopted in 1971. From December 28, 1971, to January 2, 1972, the Emergency Council convened in Santa Barbara, California, US. The Emergency Council issued several decree: * Decree for the Protection of Life: outlawing of

nuclear Nuclear may refer to: Physics Relating to the nucleus of the atom: * Nuclear engineering *Nuclear physics *Nuclear power *Nuclear reactor *Nuclear weapon *Nuclear medicine *Radiation therapy *Nuclear warfare Mathematics *Nuclear space *Nuclear ...

and biochemical weapons and other weapons of mass destruction. * assist in convening a peoples world parliament * to prepare a draft of a Constitution for the Federation of Earth * to appoint and activate planetary legislative commissions on several major problems for the purpose of preparing global legislative measures to have ready for submission to the parliament when it convenes. The Council terminated deliberations on January 2, 1972, with covering other possible actions covering environmental problems, pressing social and economical issues. At Santa Barbara, a multitude of dedicated delegates from more than 25 countries gathered, and among them were prominent individuals from India, such as R. K. Nehru, former Secretary-General of the Ministry of External Affairs of India; Godey Murahari, who later became the Speaker of the Rajya Sabha; D. H. Spencer, a renowned

constitutional lawyer Constitutional law is a body of law which defines the role, powers, and structure of different entities within a state, namely, the executive, the parliament or legislature, and the judiciary; as well as the basic rights of citizens and, in feder ...

; and Dr. T. P. Amerasinghe, a Barrister-at-Law from Sri Lanka. Other notable delegates included Reinhart Ruge from Mexico, Dr. Lucile Green from California, US, Mrs. Helen Tucker from Canada,

from Arizona, US,

Archie Casely-Hayford Archibald "Archie" Casely-Hayford (1898 – 20 August 1977) was a British-trained Ghanaian barrister and politician, who was involved in nationalist politics in the former Gold Coast (present-day Ghana). Having joined the Convention People's Par ...

from Ghana, Hon. Syed Mohamed Husain later Judge of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, Dr. Charles Mercieca from Malta and the USA, and Jorgen Laursen Vig from Denmark. Together, a total of 225 representatives from 53 countries joined forces to sign "The First Decree for the Protection of Life".

Constitution draft

First draft

As in 1968, the World Constitutional Convention and Peoples World Parliament held sessions in Interlaken and Wolfach initiating the task of formulating a constitution. The drafting commission, consisting of D. M. Spencer, an esteemed Constitutional Lawyer and Professor from Sydenham College, Bombay, Hon. Syed Mohammed Husain, an Advocate who later became a Judge of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, Dr. T. P. Amerasinghe, a Barrister-at-Law and Advocate of the

Supreme Court of Sri Lanka The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka ( si, ශ්‍රී ලංකා ශ්‍රේෂ්ඨාධිකරණය, Sri Lanka Sreshthadikaranaya; ta, இலங்கை உயர் நீதிமன்றம், Ilankai uyar neetimanram) is th ...

, and

, the Secretary General of WCPA, joined forces to work on the constitution during January and February of 1972. Their efforts were based on Philip Isely's 19-page outline of the draft. In November 1974, the initial draft titled "A Constitution for the Federation of Earth" was ultimately finished, published and circulated globally by WCPA for assessment, along with the Call to the second session in 1977.

Second draft

During 1974 and 1975, the WCPA received feedback and comments on the first draft. In 1976, the drafting commission reconvened and finalized a second draft, which was then circulated world-wide for by the WCPA.

Second World Constituent Assembly

The second session of the World Constituent Assembly took place in

, Austria, from June 16 to June 29, 1977, at Kongresshaus. The assembly was a significant milestone in the pursuit of global governance, as it convened to deliberate and adopt the Constitution for the Federation of Earth, commonly referred to as the Earth Constitution. Attended by 138 delegates from 25 countries across six continents, the event marked an unprecedented gathering of international representatives. During the assembly, the drafting commission presented, the 'Constitution for the Federation of Earth', the proposed constitution, which was then examined clause by clause. The participating delegates engaged in extensive debates, offering amendments and contributing to the refinement of the document. Notable figures leading the discussions included the Indian Delegation leader, A. B. Patel, Former Member of the Kenya Legislature, Dr. S. Kaiser from Netherlands, Dr. Carmel Kussman, New York, Mrs. Mia Lord, London, U.K., Dr. Helen Tucker, Canada, Dr. Hanna Newcombe, Canada, Kenneth Komo, Botswana, Foster Parmalee, U.S.A.,

Margaret Isely Margaret Isely (August 13, 1921 – July 23, 1997) was an American businesswoman, organic food activist, nutritionist, political activist and peace activist. She is best known for founding the health food chain Natural Grocers in 1955 alon ...

, U.S.A. Dr. Ahmed Subandjo, Indonesia and many more.

Adoption and signing

The Assembly unanimously adopted the draft constitution on 27 June 1977, signifying a momentous step forward for humanity's quest for a global governance framework. Dr. A. B. Patel described the occasion "as the day of a new age" and called for all those present to come up to the stage and affix their signatures to the Constitution.

Call for Ratification

Following the assembly's success, a call for Ratification was issued, urging nations and peoples of Earth to endorse the Earth Constitution. The WCPA proactively sent copies of the Constitution to the United Nations, Members of the General Assembly, and national Governments, requesting their support and cooperation in the ratification process. The call requested: (a) people of Earth to ratify the Constitution by direct referendum and by an initiative petition followed by election of delegates to the 'House of Peoples'; (b) the national governments and legislatures of the world to ratify the Constitution and elect delegates to the 'House of Nations'; and (c) the universities, Colleges, Churches, Scientific Academies and Institutes to ratify the Constitution and nominate delegates with a world view as candidates for election to the 'House of Councillors'.

Further developments

Since the Second World Constituent Assembly of 1977, the 'Constitution for the Federation of Earth' has undergone further amendments through two additional sessions of the World Constituent Assemblies in 1979 and 1991. Furthermore, fifteen

Provisional World Parliament The Provisional World Parliament (PWP) is a transitional international legislative body or a transitional international parliament of the Federation of Earth, operating under the constitutional framework of the Constitution for the Federation ...

sessions have been organized since 1982, with the last one taking place in 2021. As of 2023, the developed constitution has been personally ratified by many individuals worldwide, but has not received ratification from any country.

References

{{World Constitutional Convention call signatories 1968 conferences International law Constitutional conventions (political meeting) Constitutions Globalization August 1968 events in Europe September 1968 events in Europe 1960s political conferences