Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs, is an independent policy institute based in London. Our mission is to help build a sustainably secure, prosperous and just world.

Open Debate

Founded in 1920, Chatham House engages governments, the private sector, civil society and its members in open debate and confidential discussion on the most significant developments in international affairs. Each year, the institute runs more than 300 private and public events – conferences, workshops and roundtables – in London and internationally with partners. Our convening power attracts world leaders and the best analysts in their respective fields from across the globe.

Independent and Trusted Analysis

Chatham House carries out independent and rigorous analysis of critical global, regional and country-specific challenges and opportunities. It consistently ranks highly in the University of Pennsylvania’s annual Global Go To Think Tank Index, where it has been assessed by its peers as the No. 1 think tank outside the US for seven consecutive years and No. 2 worldwide for the past four years. 
 
The institute’s award-winning reports, papers, books and other research outputs are a vital resource for leaders and policy-makers in government, the private sector and civil society. International Affairs, Britain’s leading journal of international relations, was founded by and is edited at the institute. The institute’s magazine, The World Today, provides authoritative analysis and up-to-date commentary on current topics. The Chatham House library has one of the longest-standing specialist collections of material on international affairs in the United Kingdom. The collections are digitally archived and searchable.

New ideas 

Chatham House experts develop new ideas on how best to confront critical international challenges and take advantage of opportunities from the near- to the long-term. Policy recommendations are developed in collaboration with policymakers, experts and stakeholders in each area. Chatham House staff regularly brief government officials, legislators and other decision-makers on their conclusions. 
 
Chatham House has created the Queen Elizabeth II Academy for Leadership in International Affairs to develop a new generation of leaders capable of crafting innovative responses to the most pressing challenges facing their countries and regions.

Annual Review

Our Annual Review outlines the institute's output, activities and achievements from the past year.

Charter and Bye-laws

Our Royal Charter and Bye-laws lay out the aims and objectives of the institute.