The International Society for the Study of Argumentation (ISSA) was founded at the end of the First International Conference on Argumentation held at the University of Amsterdam in 1986. ISSA’s main goals—as stated in its Constitution—are:

• to promote and improve the extent and quality of research in the field of argumentation theory and its application; 
• to facilitate the professional cooperation of its members;
• to sponsor, organize, or support public and professional meetings in the field of argumentation; 
• to support or produce publications relevant to these objectives; 
• and to support and cooperate with individuals and organizations expressing related interests.