World Esperanto Association
The
World Esperanto Association (in Esperanto
UEA:
Universala Esperanto-Asocio) is the largest international organization of
Esperanto speakers, with members in 119 countries (
as of 2000) and in official relations with the
United Nations and
UNESCO. In addition to individual members, 95 national Esperanto organizations are affiliated to UEA. Its current president is
Renato Corsetti.
UEA was founded in
1908 by the Swiss journalist
Hector Hodler and others, and is now headquartered in
Rotterdam,
The Netherlands. The organization has an office at the
United Nations building in
New York City.
Since the foundation of UEA, the presidency has been held by members of the following countries (
as of 2004):
| Country of origin | Years of presidency |
|---|
| Switzerland | 26 |
| UK | 16 |
| France | 13 |
| USA | 9 |
| Sweden | 9 |
| Italy | 7 |
| Belgium | 6 |
| Korea | 3 |
| Australia | 3 |
| Japan | 2 |
| (post vacant) | 3 |
The annual
World Congress of Esperanto (Universala Kongreso de Esperanto), which attracts 1500-3000 people to a different city each year, is held under the direction of UEA.
UEA also publishes books and has the largest mail-order Esperanto bookstore in the world (with over 4000 books, CDs and other items), maintains an information center and a significant
Esperanto library. The organisation also maintains a network of representatives from around the world, the
Delegita Reto, who are available to provide information about their geographical area or professional field.
TEJO, the World Esperanto Youth Organization, is the youth section of the UEA. Similar to the Universala Kongreso of UEA, TEJO organizes an
International Youth Congress of Esperanto (Internacia Junulara Kongreso) each year in a different location. The IJK is a week-long event of concerts, presentations, excursions, and general having fun that attracts hundreds of young people from all over the world.
In addition to the UN and UNESCO, UEA also has consultative relations with
UNICEF and the
Council of Europe, and a general working relationship with the
Organization of American States. It works in an official capacity with the
International Organization for Standardization (ISO). UEA is active in public information in the
European Union and as necessary at other interstate and international organizations and conferences. The organisation is a member of the
European Language Council, a common forum of universities and language associations for the awareness of languages and cultures in and outside of the European Union.
*
TEJO (World Esperanto Youth Organization)
*
Sennacieca Asocio Tutmonda (another global Esperanto organization)
*
World Congress of Esperanto*
UEA's web site in seven languages*
UEA's book service*
TEJO's web site
