Institut de Droit International

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Institut de Droit International

Role / Field:

A leading international academic body dedicated to advancing and studying public international law.

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

The Institute of International Law (French: Institut de Droit International) is an organization devoted to the study and development of international law, whose membership comprises the world's leading public international lawyers. Established in 1873, it was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1904. The institute was founded by Gustave Moynier and Gustave Rolin-Jaequemyns, together with nine other renowned international lawyers, on 8 September 1873 in the Salle de l'Arsenal of the Ghent Town Hall in Belgium. The founders of 1873 were: Pasquale Stanislao Mancini (from Rome), President Emile de Laveleye (from Liege) Tobias Michael Carel Asser (from Amsterdam) James Lorimer (from Edinburgh) Wladimir Besobrassof (from Saint-Petersburg) Gustave Moynier (from Geneva) Jean Gaspar Bluntschli (from Heidelberg) Augusto Pierantoni (from Naples) Carlos Calvo (from Buenos Aires) Gustave Rolin-Jaequemyns (from Ghent) David Dudley Field (from New York) In addition, August von Bulmerincq (from Tartu) was invited to participate at the founding event, but could not attend since the invitation did not reach him in time. He was later however counted among the founding members.

Career & Major Achievements

In September 2023, the Institute celebrated its 150 year anniversary on the occasion of the 81st session that took place in Angers, France. For the occasion, three French government ministers were invited to participate in the session and video messages from President of France Emmanuel Macron and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, were presented during the ceremony. During this session, the Institute also launched a documentary film about the history of the organization. This documentary features many prominent international legal scholars as well as current judges at the International Court of Justice. The Institute is a private body, made up of associates, members, and honorary members.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The Statute stipulates that the number of members and associates under the age of 80 cannot be over 132. The members, elected every two years by the current members of the organization, are persons who have demonstrated notable scholarly work in the area of international law, and is restricted to those who are considered relatively free of political pressure. The organisation attempts to have members broadly distributed around the world. The organisation holds biannual congresses for the study of international law as it currently exists, and passes resolutions proposing modifications to international law. It does not comment on specific disputes.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1873: 1873 Milestone — Established in 1873, it was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1904.
2. 2023: 2023 Milestone — In September 2023, the Institute celebrated its 150 year anniversary on the occasion of the 81st session that took place in Angers, France.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Institut de Droit International

True or False: “The Institute of International Law was established in the year 1873, which predates the Nobel Peace Prize award date.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The institute was founded in 1873 and subsequently received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1904.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. K. Fazlul Huq — Historical peer (Born in 1873) (1873): Pakistani statesman and jurist, known as Sher-e-Bangla, a founding father of Pakistan.
• Adam Sedgwick — Historical peer (Died in 1873) (1873): Pioneering British geologist and Anglican priest, co-founder of modern geology.
• A. H. M. Jones — Historical peer (Born in 1904) (1904): Pioneering British historian of classical antiquity, specializing in the later Roman Empire.
• Abai Qunanbaiuly — Historical peer (Died in 1904) (1904): Foundational Kazakh poet, composer, and Islamic reformer of the 19th century.
• A. S. Byatt — Historical peer (Died in 2023) (2023): Acclaimed English novelist, poet, and critic known for complex literary works.
• Alan Arkin — Historical peer (Died in 2023) (2023): Esteemed American actor, filmmaker, and musician with a seven-decade career.

Frequently Asked Questions about Institut de Droit International