The Universala Esperanto-Asocio (UEA) or World Esperanto Association was founded on 28th of April 1908 as an international association of individual Esperantists. Since then it has grown in size and now incorporates not just individual members but a number of National Associations and specialist organisation.
In 2007 UEA had 6011 individual members from 120 countries and 11477 associate members from 68 countries.

UEA has been a guiding force for Esperantists worldwide and played a major part in steering the Esperanto movement through early crises which it faced in the early period of its development at the beginning of the 20th Century. Among its many activities the most important is the World Congress which takes place in a different country each year. This year, to celebrate UEA's centenary, the Congress took place in Rotterdam where the Association's Central Office is based. 1767 people from 73 countries took part.

During the year the Association's "Delegita Reto" (Network of Delegates) acts as a point of contact for members of the Association. The UEA Jarlibro (Yearbook) includes contact details for those members who have volunteered to be delegates and who are willing to provide information and help to members from other countries.

UEA is in consultative relationships with the United Nations and is represented in many UN meetings. With UNESCO UEA has an official link in the category of "operational relations", taking part in meetings of UNESCO and advising or collaborating over issues of common interest.
UEA also is in consultitative relations with UNICEF, holds a participative status in the Council of Europe and general collaborative relations with the Organization of American States.

For more information visit the website of UEA.

Copyright 2008 Scottish Esperanto Association