| Abbreviation | WCCC |
|---|---|
| Nickname | World Constitution Committee |
| Founder | Thane Read |
| Founded at | Phoenix,Arizona |
| Type | Nonprofit |
| Legal status | Committee |
| Purpose | world peace,world constitution, democraticfederalworld government |
| Headquarters | Phoenix,Arizona |
| Location | |
Key people |
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TheWorld Constitution Coordinating Committee (WCCC) was an international committee led byThane Read to build widespread support for the development and establishment of aWorld constitution. It was officially established in 1962.[1] It was formed to address the mounting concern over the threat ofatomic war and the pressing need forglobal peace and cooperation via establishing aWorld Federation governed by mutuallyconstitutedworld law.[2][3]
The idea of holding aconstitutional convention to develop aworld constitution had been discussed and planned by various groups since the early 20th century.
In 1937, theCampaign for World Government (CWG) was established to promote the idea of governments taking the initiative to organize a World Constitutional Convention. Despite introducing bills in various parliaments, tangible support for the convention did not materialize.[4]
In a similar vein, theHenry Usborne's "Peoples' World Convention Plan" was launched, garnering approval from notable personalities likeAlbert Einstein,Boyd-Orr,Radhakrishnan,Albert Camus,Jacques Maritain, andThomas Mann. This plan aimed to secure democratic elections in every country for delegates to a worldconvention. Although the plans were successful in 1950-51, no work was done for the development of theworld constitution. It was decided that work on the world constitution would be carried out in upcomingworld constituent assemblies.[5]
In year 1958,Thane Read, an independent U.S. economist, began cultivating a joint appeal by renowned individuals from around the world, which culminated in the issuance of the "Call to all nations".[6][7] The Call urged nations to send delegates toGeneva to a worldconvention to draft a constitution for a democratic federal World Government. The proposed constitution would then be submitted to all nations forratification, leading to the establishment of a representative parliament for humanity.[8]
In 1962,Thane Read was joined by the individual like Janet Frenzel, Lloyd D. Oxley, Evelyn Martin and Morikatsu Inagaki. Together they established there office inPhoenix, Arizona, US.[9] The committee's central purpose was to promote the Call and garner support for the proposed worldconstitutional convention. It sought to engage governments, institutions, and individuals worldwide in discussions about the political possibilities of aWorld Federation governed by a democraticfederalWorld government.[10][11]
To achieve its objectives, the WCCC drafted a conditional agreement that prominent individuals were asked to sign. This agreement outlined specific conditions under which these individuals would lend their support to the Call.[12][13] The committee engaged in extensive communication efforts with governments, urging them to participate actively in theconstitutional convention. Additionally, they reached out toreligious institutions,educational societies, political parties,labor unions,peace groups, and other organizations capable of taking action, seeking their support and collaboration in promoting the convention.[9]
Other individuals likePhilip Isely,Margaret Isely,Georgia Lloyd and groups also worked towards garnering support for this joint appeal.[2]
The "Call to all Nations" for World Constitutional Convention received support from several notable individuals. Notable signatories includeAlbert Szent-Györgyi,Frederick Sanger,Alfred Kastler,C. F. Powell,Max Born,Bertrand Russell,John Boyd Orr,Joseph Rotblat andLinus Pauling.[8] Eminent leaders such asMartin Luther King Jr.,Muhammad Ayub Khan,President of Pakistan;Francisco J. Orlich,President of Costa Rica;Milton Margoi,Prime Minister of Sierra Leone;Leopold Senghor,President of Senegal;Julius Nyerere,Prime Minister of Tanzania also endorsed the Call.[14][15] Other advocates includeEdward Condon,Edris Rice-Wray Carson,Harlow Shapley,Jean Orcel,Priyadaranjan Ray,René Dumont,Wilder Penfield,Brock Chisholm,Hugh B. Hester,David Alfaro Siqueiros,Lloyd Morain,Stuart Hall,Tamaki Uemura and many more.[8]
Till 1963, World Constitutional Convention call had signatories numbering 1000 from 55 countries. This list of distinguished signatories grew larger in following years.[16]
In result of the call adoption, theWorld Constitutional Convention and thePeoples World Parliament were held inInterlaken,Switzerland, andWolfach, Germany, in 1968.[17] Over 200 participants from 27 countries attended these sessions, where the drafting of a world constitution for a global federal world government began. This would later lead to the development of theConstitution for the Federation of Earth.[18]
