Nonaligned Movement

Nonaligned Movement organized movement of nations that attempted to form a third world force through a policy of nonalignment with the United States and Soviet Union. Yugoslavia, India, Indonesia, Egypt, and Ghana were instrumental in founding (1961) the movement, which grew out of the Bandung Conference (1955). Its members, mainly developing nations from Asia, Africa, and Latin America that embrace more than half the world's people, include true neutrals and many nations that were in fact aligned with one of the superpowers during the cold war . In light of the cold war's end, it reassessed its role and has redefined itself as a forum for its member nations to develop policies and positions that they can seek to implement at the United Nations and other international forums. The 118 member nations meet regularly to discuss their common interests. See also Third World .

Non-Aligned Movement A grouping of 110 countries and liberation movements established in 1961 for the purpose of building closer political, economic, and cultural cooperation in the Third World.

non-alignment A principle during the Cold War among states anxious not to align themselves with either the USA or the USSR. Most prominent of these was India, but many countries of south-east Asia and Africa took part in the movement. Despite their best efforts to steer a middle course between the two superpowers, the impact of non-alignment was negligible owing to the economic, religious, and political disparity among its member states, which made a common stance difficult.

Bandung Conference