UN Historical Series Book Launch Event: Intellectual Cooperation at the League of Nations - Shaping Cultural and Political Relations

The latest publication in the UN Library & Archives Geneva UN Historical Series, Intellectual Cooperation at the League of Nations: Shaping Cultural and Political Relations, will be released in December 2025. 

Edited by Martin Grandjean and Daniel Laqua, this collection of essays brings together the work of 17 researchers. The contributors cover the League of Nations' actions in a diverse range of fields, including education, heritage protection, translation work and the material interests of academics and authors.  

In addition, the book uses historical examples to explore much wider questions: who is represented in international organisations, and what does it mean to work for such bodies? How do international institutions engage with different publics, and what is the role of civil society in such interactions? How have international organisations or events served as vehicles to represent national ideas and to articulate different understandings of culture and civilisation? 

Join us on Friday 5 December for an event that will introduce key themes and findings from the book, highlighting the latest historical research on questions that remain relevant today. The event will include roundtable discussions with the editors and academic experts, as well as opportunities for discussion and interactions with the audience.  

The full UN Historical Series is edited by the UN Library & Archives Geneva.