[2] It has hosted various events through its history, including the Theatre of Nations, an international festival of performers from around the world staged in different countries, from 1956 until at least the 1980s; and it continues to organise International Dance Day and World Theatre Day every year at the UNESCO, Paris.

Dedicated to performing arts, ITI advances UNESCO’s goals of mutual understanding and peace and advocates for the protection and promotion of cultural expressions, regardless of age, gender, creed or ethnicity.

[3] To achieve its mission, the International Theatre Institute: ITI is a network in which approximately 92 Centres evolve.

A Centre is composed of professionals active in the theatre life of the country and representative of all branches of the performing arts.

The ITI collaborated with various other parties to establish the Theatre of Nations festival, with the first one being held Paris in 1957.