The International Society for Universal Dialogue

Board of Directors

• 

  Robert E. Allinson

  Chair

• 

  Victor Krebs

  Vice-Chair

• 

  Jean Campbell

  Secretary

• 

  Kevin M. Brien

  Treasurer

Our Mission Statement

The International Society for Universal Dialogue (ISUD) was founded in Warsaw, Poland in 1989. By means of scholarly work, ISUD aims for the gradual realization of a decent, peaceful, and just world order. This includes:

1. World peace.
2. Human rights.
3. Preservation of the world ecology.
4. Dialogical interrelations of diverse cultures.

Towards these goals, ISUD produces biannual international conferences to facilitate an ethos of universal dialogue. ISUD is a member of the International Federation of Philosophical Societies (FISP). FISP is a multidisciplinary international association of philosophers and scholars devoted to promoting the discussion of fundamental issues:

1. What role does philosophical thinking have in moving towards a more rational and more humane future?
2. What are ethical principles of dialogue?
3. How may one understand cultural diversity and universality?
4. How best to work toward a culture of peace?
5. What is the relationship between the basic liberties of individuals and the collective rights of cultural groups?

The ISUD Constitution

• Preamble

  We the Members of the International Society for Universal Dialogue, in order to investigate and articulate the basic principles of universality systematically, rationally, and comprehensively—working to promote a world‑wide understanding of these principles, striving to help generate universal world‑consciousness towards the gradual emergence of a decent world order, and aspiring to actualize the highest and richest human values in art, science, and human relations, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the International Society for Universal Dialogue.

• Article I

  The official name of the society shall be “The International Society for Universal Dialogue” to be incorporated in the state of Maine, USA.

• Article II

  Scholars, especially philosophers, from all the countries of the world without exception, are entitled to membership in the Society without any discrimination based on sex, race, color, nationality, religion, sexual preference, or social class. The democratic way of thinking and acting shall be the guiding principle of all decisions which determine the plans and projects of the society.

• Article III

  The ISUD acknowledges that it was the idea of Universalism that gathered the Society together in Warsaw in November 1989; and further acknowledges and honors its close relationship with the publication Dialogue and Universalism, which provides a forum in which all members of ISUD have the opportunity to communicate and exchange their views.

• Article IV

  1. 1.

     The main purpose of the Society is to promote, in theory and in practice, the ideals of universality as the most effective means for the gradual realization of a decent, peaceful, and just world order. To achieve this purpose, the members of ISUD shall try—by means of scholarly work, regional and international conferences, as well as personal and collective work—to explore and share important areas of human knowledge and experience.

  2. 2.

     More specifically, the purpose of the Society is to evoke and invigorate a global consciousness; that is, the existential awareness that all the peoples of the world belong to one species, the human species, and accordingly have the same fundamental stock of needs, aspirations, and capacities. This involves the recognition that these needs, aspirations, and capacities cannot be adequately realized under conditions of selfish competition, violence, and exploitation but under conditions of peace, cooperation, and freedom. It also involves recognition of the responsibility to other species and to the preservation and restoration of the health and beauty of all eco-systems on the planet.

• Article V

  1. 1.

     The Society shall be administered by a body of governors called the Board of the International Society of Universal Dialogue (ISUD); and it shall operate in concert with this Constitution, and with the decisions made by the ISUD General Assembly that meets prior to the tenure of a new Board.

  2. 2.

     The Board includes an executive committee composed of four officers: Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer; and it also includes a body of other members that number no fewer than six and no more than twelve. (So the full Board shall be no fewer than ten and no more than sixteen, including officers.) Board members are elected for one cycle (normally two years) to serve in a particular Board position and have the possibility of being re-elected to one additional term in the same position. However, there must be at least one intervening cycle for a Board member to be reelected another time for the same position.

  3. 3.

     All members of the Board shall be elected at the General Assembly by a majority vote. Only those who are actually present at the General Assembly are eligible for election.

  4. 4.

     The General Assembly is composed of those members of the ISUD who personally attend the periodic world conferences held by the Society—usually every two years. The General Assembly meets in sessions that coincide with the periodic world conferences.

  5. 5.

     Decisions by the General Assembly shall be reached by a majority vote, except for amendments of the Constitution, for which a two-thirds majority is required. The competence of the General Assembly includes all questions relating to the activity of the Society that are put before it in the usual manner.

• Article VI

  1. 1.

     The Society may establish and dissolve branches as necessary for the fulfillment of its mission. The activities of branches shall be coordinated by the Board, and each branch shall have a Board-appointed liaison.

  2. 2.

     The establishment and dissolution of branches shall be decided by the Board, which shall consult with the General Assembly and take into account any wishes expressed by ISUD members. Each branch shall operate in accord with the principles set out in this Constitution and shall have its own constitution that is consistent with this Constitution.

• Article VII

  The ISUD shall operate without bias toward any political or religious group. However, the ISUD may speak out on political and social issues that are consistent with its principles.

• Article VIII

  Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed by any member of the ISUD. Amendments shall be discussed and voted on by the Board, and if approved by a two-thirds majority, they shall be submitted to the General Assembly for final approval. Amendments shall be adopted if they receive a two-thirds majority vote at the General Assembly.

• Article IX

  This Constitution shall become effective after receiving the approval of a two-thirds majority of those ISUD members present and voting at the General Assembly.