We want Australians to know more, understand more, and engage more in international affairs.
Who We Are
Founded from 1924 as state-based branches of the Royal Institute of International Affairs, or Chatham House, and then federalised as the Australian Institute of International Affairs in 1933, the AIIA is Australia’s longest-existing private research institute on politics and international relations. Its mission is to help Australians know, understand, and engage more in international affairs. It does this through an extremely active nationwide and international agenda, grounded in principles of political neutrality and open debate. While its staff may express opinions of their own, the institute itself is precluded by its constitution from maintaining a political position on international affairs. Its membership is broad based, ranging from distinguished foreign policy practitioners and academics to interested intelligent individuals with no professional or formal scholarly background in the subject.
The AIIA is also geographically broad. It is the only institute of its kind with branches in every state and territory in Australia. The AIIA works closely with, but is independent from, Australian government departments, particularly the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. It receives most of its income from investments, membership fees, sponsorship, donations, royalties, project contracts, and rent.
“International affairs have ceased to be the sole preserve of foreign offices and specially trained diplomats, and have become not only the concern but the responsibility of the people of the world, and most directly of the people of the democracies.”
— RJF Boyer, President, Commonwealth Council of the Australian Institute of International Affairs, 1947
What we do
The AIIA plays a unique role as an independent non-partisan forum for informed debate on Australia’s engagement in the world. With unique access to prominent Australian political figures, leading scholars on foreign affairs, youth networks and the diplomatic community, the AIIA holds more than 150 events across the country each year. Most of these are now accessible online, both live and as recordings. These events range from intimate discussions and workshops, to large lectures, conferences, and seminars which provide forums for debate.
Throughout its history the AIIA has been involved in the key debates of international relations through its publications. Since 1947 the AIIA has published the Australian Journal of International Affairs, Australia’s premier academic journal in the field, and, since 1956, Australia in World Affairs, a series published every five years to assess Australian foreign policy and international relations. It also publishes occasional papers and Australian Outlook, a popular online publication featuring short articles and a weekly summary of events in Australian foreign policy.
Anybody can seek to be a member of the AIIA and participate in person in the events held in each of the state and territories of Australia.
To find out more, vist the institute’s website and become a member today!.
“The role that the AIIA plays in the public discussion on the state of the world and Australia in it has never been more important. It is therefore appropriate that the organisation continues to be firmly grounded in the communities of Australia’s states and territories.”
— Dr Heather Smith PSM FAIIA, AIIA National President, April 2013