After 1870, a popular peace movement grew up, and spread in Europe and the USA. They campaigned for disarmament and for the use of mediation and arbitration as the solution of international disputes. In due course a need was felt for an office that could coordinate and direct these activities.
The International Peace Bureau (IPB), founded in 1891, was established under the initiative of Dane Fredrik Bajer. The central office set up in Geneva, Switzerland acted as the executive organ of the International Union of Peace Societies.
The Bureau’s mission was to coordinate activities of various societies, and promote peaceful solutions to international conflicts. IPB is one of the world’s oldest international peace federations. The organization was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1910 for acting as a link between peace societies of various countries. In 1913, Henri La Fontaine was also awarded the Prize for his service as the president of IPB. Significantly, eleven other Nobel Peace Prize laureates have been members of the International Peace Bureau.
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