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In 1921 The International People's College in Denmark came into being. It was founded by Peter Manniche. Believing that if the peoples of the world be induced to intermix they would come to know one another, wishing to be friendly and ultimately making war impossible, Peter Manniche thought of a college in which such intermingling might take place. He anticipated that this international college might develop a fellowship of its own along an international basis. From 1916 to 1921 he worked on the idea, seeking understanding and support. He became maybe one of the biggest idealists ever seen.
From a small beginning with 24 students from 8 different countries, the college has steadily developed and now accomadates more than 100 tudents from 20-30 different countries, and all classes of society have been represented in its student body, and from the very beginning manual work has taken place on the curriculum. As Peter Manniche said "THROUGH HONEST WORK TO TRUE FELLOWSHIP".It was feared by many when the college started its work, that the different national, political, and religious viewpoints of the students would make a real understanding among them difficult to obtain. But the fact is that the differences of the students have enriched the fellowship and made them more valuable channels of instruction to one another. In general it may be truly said, that some will leave the college with an increased understanding of the natural reasons for the diversity of points of view, and so be better able to promote the good will that is the all important moderating factor.
The personal development which is necessary to create harmonious social life out of the different types, is the same kind of development which the whole world must experience if there is to be harmony in the international orchestra - an orchestra in which each nation regognizes its particular and therefore limited powers and tasks.
During the years of existence the school has aimed at being a testing station in the work of establishing a new and better basis for international cooperation.
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I am an old IPC student, and I strongly believe that Peter Manniche was right. He discovered the need for better understanding amongst people of different social classes and for better understanding amongst people of different nationalities. He thought these problems might be solved by finding a place where people could get together in order to work and study.
THE INTERNATIONAL PEOPLE's COLLEGE
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