World Government Celebrates 50 Years of Global Impact

Washington, DC – September 3, 2003 — Marking a historic milestone, the World Government (of World Citizens) celebrates its 50th anniversary today. Conceived by a stateless World Citizen, the government was officially declared from the city hall of Ellsworth, Maine, on September 4, 1953. Established on the fundamental principles of “One God (or Absolute Value); one world; one humanity,” this groundbreaking institution has played a pivotal role in advocating for global citizenship and human rights.

The foundation of the World Government rested on the shoulders of over 750,000 individuals from more than 150 countries who had already embraced the status of world citizenship. This global movement gained momentum through the International Registry of World Citizens, inaugurated on January 1, 1949, in Paris. The concept was revolutionary, challenging the traditional notion of sovereign nations and asserting the legitimacy of a united human race.

One distinctive feature of the new government was its claim to “territory” that encompassed the entire world, fulfilling a prophetic vision of a united global community. Born in the aftermath of the devastating events of the Nuclear Age, initiated by the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, the World Government was seen as a response to the imperative need for global cooperation to prevent the annihilation of humanity.

Albert Einstein, often referred to as the “father” of the Nuclear Age, issued a stark warning that eliminating war was not just an option but an absolute necessity for the survival of the human race. The World Government, by providing individuals with documents rooted in fundamental human rights, as articulated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, aimed to formalize a “contract with humanity.”

Over the past 50 years, the World Government, through its administrative arm, the World Service Authority®, headquartered in Washington, DC, and Tokyo, Japan, has issued millions of human rights documents. These documents, coupled with global identification services and legal assistance provided by the World Judicial Commission, empower individuals to assert their rights on a global scale.

While acknowledging positive signs of human progress, such as global communication, transnational justice, and space exploration, the World Government remains vigilant about the grave challenges facing humanity. From nuclear proliferation to armed conflicts, environmental degradation, and social inequities, the need for a unified global response is more urgent than ever.

As the World Citizen Government reflects on its 50-year journey, it calls upon today’s citizens to continue championing the principles of unity and universality. In the face of looming challenges, these citizens stand as the guardians of a vision that transcends national frontiers, advocating for a world where humanity’s survival is contingent upon collective responsibility and cooperation.