The Institute’s academic heritage is a comparatively recent one. Established in October 1966 by an agreement between the Governments of Trinidad and Tobago and Switzerland, the Institute’s international outlook was modeled on the format of the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva, Switzerland. The thrust of the Institute’s programmes was a collaborative effort between the UWI and the Graduate Institute and continued over a six-year period till 1972.

IIR adopted a new constitution in 1972 and by 1973 had more fully embraced a regional character, with the governments of Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Guyana and Jamaica financing the Institute.

Objectives of the Institution

The Institute is committed to enhancing the understanding of international relations in the Caribbean area. As both a teaching and research institution geared towards the advanced study of international relations of the Third World in general, particular emphasis is placed on the Caribbean and Latin American regions. The courses offered at the Institute are structured with a three-fold objective. Firstly, to train a number of specialists whose expertise can then be made available to the public and private sectors. These would include public servants directly involved in diplomacy, either in the Foreign Service and in other Ministries or in regional and international organisations, as well as private individuals who interact on a professional basis with the international environment. Secondly, to provide a purely academic and general education in the field of international relations. Thirdly, to engage in special activities, including the organisation of particular programmes, courses, seminars and workshops for practitioners in the field and to provide consultative assistance and research for regional governments and organisations.

The Institute has also actively forged educational partnerships around the world with similar institutions.