Frequently Asked Questions
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What is World Federalism?
World Federalism envisions a federation of nation-states, each ceding sovereignty to a larger union through common institutions while maintaining a unique society, culture and political structure. World federalism is the application of the political philosophy of democratic federalism, developed at the national levels in nations throughout the world, to the international level and to global governance. World federalism thus embraces the belief in the rule of law as the primary basis for achieving and maintaining world peace; rule of law based on constitutional democratic principles including universal suffrage, guaranteed individual and minority rights, independent judiciary, separation of powers, and subsidiarity. The European Union represents one example of international federalism, a limited, regional federative union. Our planet faces serious crises, grave challenges that nations acting separately in an ungoverned world cannot overcome. World federalists view the world as one society embracing all of humanity in its diversity.
What is the World Federalist Movement?
The World Federalist Movement (WFM) is a global citizens movement for peace and human rights that coordinates programs and projects around the world through Member and Associated Organizations. The WFM International Secretariat of the global movement is co-located in New York City, near the UN headquarters and The Hague, The Netherlands. Our mission is to bring about a "just world order through a strengthened United Nations."
What is the Institute for Global Policy
The Institute for Global Policy (IGP) is the research and policy analysis arm of the World Federalist Movement. The Institute is the primary peace education mechanism of WFM and seeks to promote better understanding about the UN and other international organizations. IGP also publishes many of the books and other documents that we have available on our website.
How did WFM start?
Numerous world federation plans and organizations emerged in the 1930’s and during WWII. WFM's history formally began in in 1946 in Luxembourg and in 1947 in Montreux, Switzerland when many national and international peace movements agreed to form a ‘coalition’ world movement for world federation. The movement was formed in large part to press for the reform of the then new UN Charter to one that could achieve the first goal of the UN, ‘to save future generations from the scourge of war.’ The founding meetings engaged in intense debate over the issue of whether the establishment of a European (regional) federation should take priority over world federation pursuits. The result was that both movements were formally established in Montreux. The split endured for many years; the European Federalists joined WFM in 2004.
What does WFM do?
WFM is an international citizen's movement working for justice, peace, and sustainable prosperity. Currently the International Secretariat oversees six programs: Federalism and Constitutional Democracy; Promoting Rule of Law, Defending Human Rights; Creating Lasting Peace, Preventing Conflicts, Protecting Civilians; International Democracy; Global Economic Governance; and Global Environmental Governance. Key projects include: the Coalition for the International Criminal Court (CICC) and Responsibility to Protect – Engaging Civil Society (R2PCS).
How is WFM governed?
WFM is governed by its Statutes (PDF) and By-Laws (PDF) which were first written in 1954 and have been ammended since then. A Congress is called every four years to elect officers and the Council. The Congress also updates major policies and, if needed, ammends the Statutes and By-Laws. Between Congresses, the Council and Executive Committee govern the activities of the international Movement.
Where does WFM receive its funding from?
WFM's financial supporters are its member and associated organizations, foundations, governments and individuals that support our programs and projects and who believe in the promise of world federalism. WFM is a stichting (foundation) in The Netherlands and is also organized as an IRS 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization in the United States, therefore all contributions from US taxpayers are tax deductible. We welcome all people sympathetic to the ideals of federalism to support our movement.
How can I help WFM?
WFM encourages organizations and individuals to seek out others in their area who are sympathetic to the ideals of federalism and join groups or form their own organizations. That group can apply to become a WFM Organization. Individuals can financially support our Movement.
How many members does WFM have?
Our membership is made up of over 30 Member and Associated Organizations from around the world. WFM has individual supporters in many countries across the globe. WFM is primarily an international movement of member organizations, these groups are supported by tens of thousands of individual members in all regions of the world. WFM networks involve organizations comprised of millions of individual members from almost every nation in the world.
Did WFM Change its name recently?
No, WFM has not recently changed its name. WFM has many Member and Associated Organizations around the world. One of our members, the World Federalist Association (WFA) located in in Washington, DC changed its name to Citizens for Global Solutions (CGS) in 2004. Many of our other Member and Associated Organizations have "World Federalist" in their name as well.
Are you affiliated with the United Nations?
WFM is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and Department of Public Information (DPI) of the United Nations. We are not a branch or a department of the UN. Members of WFM often work closely with UN officials and those of other international institutions to further our mission. We are committed to reforming the UN and ensuring effective democratic global governance.
Are you affiliated with the Federalist Society
WFM is not affiliated with the Federalist Society, a group of self-described conservatives and libertarians from the Unites States, in any way. Federalist Society policies and actions promote extreme nationalism and states rights. Their principles are not in conformity with the principles of the original American federalists, the founders of the US Constitution, much less with WFM.
