Institute Clingendael - Main contents

The Netherlands Institute of International Relations Clingendael is a knowledge institute for international relations. In a constantly changing global environment, Clingendael acts as a think-tank as well as a diplomatic academy in order to identify and analyze emerging political and social developments for the benefit of the Dutch government and the general public.

Clingendael seeks to achieve this objective through research, by publishing studies, organising courses and training programmes, and by providing information. The Institute acts in an advisory capacity to the government, parliament and social organisations, holds conferences and seminars, maintains a library and documentation centre, and publishes a Dutch language monthly on international politics as well as a newsletter. Clingendael currently employs some 110 staff, the majority of whom are researchers and training staff.

Clingendael is an institute with an international focus. International political leaders, diplomats, journalists and researchers are frequently invited to give lectures and to take part in conferences and seminars. Visiting scholars from all over the world participate in the Institute’s activities. The Institute provides training courses in European relations and other subjects for diplomats from Central and Eastern Europe, the now independent states of the former Soviet Union, and Southern Africa, and assists in the training of specialists in various countries. Clingendael maintains regular contact with other major research institutes throughout Europe and the United States and, together with similar institutes in Western Europe, prepares studies for the European Commission.

Clingendael is a non-profit foundation established under Dutch law. Over half the Institute’s budget is generated by the Institute’s activities (i.e., courses, seminars, research projects, workshops on international negotiations, etc.). The remainder is made up of subsidies from the Dutch Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence. The Institute is, however, an autonomous organisation. Its activities and views are independent of any public or private bodies, and the Institute is not allied to any political party, denominational group or ideological movement.