| In the course of the 19th century a qualitative and quantitative shift took place in the way philanthropists, government officials, civil servants, scientists and other special interest groups developed and organised their international contacts and exchange of news, insights, experiments and knowledge. So far the usual way of communication had been the exchange of letters and dispatches or mutual visits of people with a common interest on a more or less one to one basis. Dutch philanthropist W.H. Suringar e.g. visited many prisons and reformatories and their directors, keepers, founding fathers in all major European countries between 1800 and 1850. After the middle of the 19th century this mode of communication is gradually accompanied by- or eventually replaced with other ways of interaction, of which the periodic international congress as a forum of exchange is the most striking example. In many, quite different realms of 19th century society this development can be seen. E.g. in the world of philanthropy, establishing international penitentiary, prison and wellfare congresses; in the medical, statistical and geografical world, as well as congresses dedicated to special political purposes, like peace- and women congresses. Main purpose of this research is to investigate cultural changes at the various congresses. |
