Launched in 1889 by a group of intellectuals, the Società Dante Alighieri extended its scope to cover Italian outposts in Africa and America after the First World War. The Society's commissions worked alongside missionaries to instil life into schools and other centres for the dissemination of Italian cultures amongst emigrants and their offspring. In the aftermath of the Second World War, its libraries abroad were updated, reading of Dante was fostered in Italy and closer collaboration with Italian cultural associations abroad was forged. New statutes were drawn up in 1960, providing the Società with a single rationale: to protect and defend the Italian language and its culture throughout the world. With over one hundred thousand students, the organisation is located in 60 countries and manages almost 3,300 schools and institutes.