International Theatre Institute (ITI)

The International Theatre Institute (ITI), an international non-governmental organisation (NGO), was founded in Prague in 1948 by UNESCO and the international theatre community. The ITI has national centres in around 90 countries. It maintains formal associate relations with UNESCO and is its principal international NGO partner in the field of the live performing arts. ITI has a co-operation and information sharing agreement with UNESCO, and receives support for certain international projects from the UNESCO Culture Sector's Division of Arts and Cultural Enterprise. The ITI General Secretariat is based at UNESCO House in Paris.

The objectives of ITI are: (i) to promote international exchange of knowledge and practice in the domain of the performing arts; (ii) to stimulate creation and increase co-operation among theatre people; (iii) to increase public awareness of the need to take artistic creation into consideration in the domain of development; (iv) to deepen mutual understanding and contribute to the consolidation of peace and friendship between peoples; (v) to join in the defence of the ideals and aims of UNESCO; and (vi) to combat all forms of racism or social and political discrimination.

ITI now includes approximately 90 national and associate ITI Centres which form the basis of the Institute's membership. An ITI Centre is made up of professionals active in the theatre life of the country and representative of all branches of the performing arts. Its activities are conducted on both a national and an international level. In recent years, provision has been made for both national and international organisations to become members of ITI. Individuals become members of ITI by joining their National Centre.

International Theatre Institute (ITI)

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