2024 marks the eightieth anniversary of the founding of the Italian Society for International Organization (SIOI), which took place in Rome on October 4th, 1944. This anniversary holds special significance as it reflects not only the glorious past but also SIOI’s past, present and continuous commitment in spreading its values to new generations.
SIOI, in continuity with its history and in line with its statutory purposes, commits to being present and to increasing activities in three sectors: research and analysis in various areas of geopolitical, geoeconomic, and geostrategic interest; organization of round tables, seminars, conferences, and workshops on globally relevant topics; high-level training aimed at facilitating entry into careers with international significance.
The history of SIOI traces its roots back to a crucial period in Italian and world history. Founded during a time marked by the devastation of the Second World War, the Society, through a series of initiatives, facilitated Italy’s accession to major international bodies such as NATO, the Council of Europe, the United Nations, and the European Community.
Alcide De Gasperi, Minister of Foreign Affairs in the II Bonomi Government, in December 1944, foresaw the contribution that SIOI could provide to the Italian government in its return to the international scenario during the difficult years of the post-war transition. Convinced that democratic Italy would receive its full international legitimacy with admission to the United Nations, he wanted SIOI to present its candidacy to the emerging World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA). In 1946, SIOI thus joined the WFUNA, anticipating and facilitating Italy’s accession to the United Nations.

The inaugural session of the Constituent Assembly of the Italian Society for International Organization opened on October 4, 1944. The presidency was offered to Dionisio Anzilotti, a leading figure among Italian internationalists and former President of the Hague Court. Among the founding members were personalities such as Benedetto Croce, Vittorio Emanuele Orlando, Carlo Sforza, and Vincenzo Arangio Ruiz.
The “founding fathers” identified among the society’s objectives the support of Italian diplomacy through the preparation of documentation useful for peace negotiations and the establishment of a training course to enter the diplomatic career, as well as the production of studies and research on international issues.
SIOI has welcomed and collaborated with some of the most distinguished institutional, diplomatic, and academic personalities, becoming a point of reference in both the Italian and international scenarios. Its headquarters, Palazzetto di Venezia, has been and continues to be a witness to historic meetings and profound moments of reflection. Among the many notable events, we remember the celebration of Italy’s entry into the United Nations with Giovanni Gronchi, Giovanni Leone, and Enrico De Nicola; the visit of Israeli Foreign Minister Abba Eban during the Six-Day War and those of two Secretaries-General of the United Nations: U Thant in 1963 and Kurt Waldheim in 1972.
Today, the legacy of these countless years of history continues to guide the activities of SIOI. In particular, within the context of the celebratory events of the eightieth anniversary, SIOI places at the centre of its activities the research and analysis in the main sectors of international politics.