CHATHAM HOUSE: A BRIEF HISTORY AND PURPOSE OF THE LONDON-BASED INSTITUTE 

Did you know that Chatham House has its root from the Paris Peace Conference on 30 May 1919, and that it serves as an independent policy institute and a trusted forum for debate and dialogue?

Chatham House, also known as the Royal Institute of International Affairs, is an independent policy institute headquartered in London, with the stated mission to provide commentary on world events and offer solutions to global challenges.

The Royal Institute of International Affairs finds its origins in a meeting, convened by Lionel Curtis, of the American and British delegates to the Paris Peace Conference on 30 May 1919. Curtis had long been an advocate for the scientific study of international affairs and, following the beneficial exchange of information after the peace conference, argued that the method of expert analysis and debate should be continued when the delegates returned home in the form of international institute. 

Ultimately, the British and American delegates formed separate institutes, with the Americans developing the Council on Foreign Relations in New York. The British Institute of International Affairs, as it was then known, held its inaugural meeting, chaired by Robert Cecil, on 5 July 1920. In this, former Foreign Secretary Edward Grey moved the resolution calling the institute into existence: These two, along with Arthur J. Balfour and John R. Clynes, became the first Presidents of the institute, with Lionel Curtis and G. M. Gathorne–Hardy appointed joint Honorary Secretaries.

By 1922, as the institute's membership grew, there was a need for a larger and more practical space and the Institute acquired, through the gift of Canadian Colonel R. W. Leonard, Chatham House, Number 10 St. James's Square, where the institute is still housed.

The Chatham House is an independent policy institute and a trusted forum for debate and dialogue. Its research and ideas help people understand a changing world, as well as helps people, societies and governments understand and adapt to seismic change.

It provided thought leadership on key issues that defined the 20th century. It helped craft the multilateral institutions and mechanisms of global financial stability after the Second World War. It gave African independence leaders a platform throughout decolonization.

Chatham House was also key to Anglo-Soviet track-two diplomacy initiatives. Its research influenced China’s establishment of low-carbon economic zones, and the Chatham House Rule has helped foster open dialogue and ideas-sharing.

Chatham House has been a source of independent analysis, trusted dialogue and influential ideas for over one hundred years. At the beginning of its second century, it continued to offer solutions to global challenges and actively seek to empower the next generation to change their world.

Its three second century goals are intended to enable and build peaceful, sustainable and inclusive societies. Chatham House is privileged to hold a long-standing position of trust on the world stage and seeks to use it to champion positive change for people everywhere through events (webinars, conferences and simulations that help connect diverse, engaged audiences and build momentum for positive change), publishing (independent peer reviewed reports, research papers, briefings, researches, commentaries offer new ideas and policy recommendations on challenges facing the world), expertise and leadership.

Sources:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chatham_House

https://www.chathamhouse.org/about-us