The International College of Surgeons was founded by Dr Max Thorek at a time of extreme nationalism, racial and religious hatred and divisions leading to World War. Dr. Thorek's vision was of a college that would bring surgeons of all nations and peoples together to build a force for international understanding, goodwill, and peaceful development of the art and science of surgery. The International College of Surgeons (ICS) has a long and inclusive history, dating to 1935, with 85 years of being open to all nationalities, all races, and all creeds. The College has members in over 100 countries, with more than 85% of its membership outside of the United States, including the ICS African Federation, the Asian Federation, the European Federation, the Latin American Federation, the North American Federation, and the Pacific Federation. The International College of Surgeons is a non-governmental, non-lobbying organisation and is apolitical. The International College of Surgeons is in official relations with the World Health Organisation as a non-governmental organisation. The International College of Surgeons is an example of a scientific community where, especially given its global nature, the racism and religious and ethnic hatreds confronting professionals in their daily lives globally stand in bold contrast to the founding principles of this college. The greatest strength of the International College of Surgeons consists precisely in these founding principles, which define collegiality in contrast to those resiliently difficult problems.