AiCEI (International Association of Cities and Entities of the Enlightenment) came about as a result of an agreement signed between a number of towns, cities and entities with a rich heritage—both tangible and intangible—from the Enlightenment. Its mandate is to promote and foster a better knowledge, preservation and dissemination of this period. The word International was appended to the title as a statement of its intention to create a network connecting countries on various continents where the Enlightenment, also called the Age of Reason, had a seminal influence.

AiCEI is gradually incorporating cities and entities particularly interested in the study and research of this period across the various spheres in which it found expression: architecture, art, philosophy, science, humanistic values. It also welcomes entities currently working on manifestations that entail an approximation to the study of the Enlightenment while at once developing other contemporary activities following the guidelines of the principles promoting reason and freedom of creation.

The origins of the association are grounded in the creation of the so-called Enlightenment Forum in 2001, in and by Fundación Ferrol Metropoli. This forum then became an Association with its own legal status in May 2007 with the passing of its statutes in the city of Valencia.

The Association lends particular importance to its rotating annual Meetings, organised every year by a different member city or entity. Apart from disseminating a better knowledge of the specific heritage of the chosen location, these Meetings pursue academic excellence through an ambitious programme of seminars and lectures.

Naturally, AiCEI is open to the participation of other cities and/or entities who identify with its goals and projects, including its goal for the future: namely, the creation of a cultural route connecting all its members by means of exhibitions, meetings, signage of monuments, tourism and academic events, and other activities.