It was just after World War II that the growing feeling that peace needed to be constructed above all in the minds of men though exchange, international cooperation and dialogue gave the impetus that led to the birth and influence of the various United Nations’ organisations.

UNESCO came into being in 1946, and a sub-committee on Arts and Letters which included distinguished writers and dramatists met at its First General Conference. It soon became clear that there was a need for an international clearing-house for theatre arts, a non-political, non–commercial association in which theatre artists and administrators of all countries could work out a practical programme to facilitate exchange and circulation of play scripts, current theatre information, performing arts companies, and young artists.

The first ITI Congress met in Prague in June 1948, bringing together delegates from the first 12 Centres in operation: Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, China, Czechoslovakia, France, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, UK and USA.

Over the years ITI has grown into the leading international organization for the performing arts, present in more than 100 countries and consisting of over 120 ITI Centres and Cooperating Members, as well as 11 internationally-active committees.