Institute for International Political Studies
The Institute for International Political Studies officially launched its activities on the 27th of March 1934. A group of young scholars from the Universities of Milan and Pavia proposed this center to fascist Italy. They looked to London's Royal Institute of Foreign Affairs and New York's Foreign Policy Association for inspiration. The goal was to create a dedicated space for studying foreign politics during a time of strong international presence in the country. Editorial activities began immediately within that first year of operation. Rapid development required substantial funding sources almost instantly. Alberto Pirelli met with the founders in February 1935. He was the second son of the founder of the Pirelli company. His efforts secured Mussolini's concession to house the institute in Palazzo Clerici.
Palazzo Clerici stands in the heart of Milan within a district once known as Contrada del prestino dei Bossi. Battista Visconti originally owned the property before the Clerici family purchased it around 1653. This family of silk merchants and bankers from Como Lake needed a grand mansion for their status. Austrian authorities entrusted internal governance to the Clerici family, making the palace one of the city's most luxurious residences. Giorgio Antonio Clerici commissioned Giambattista Tiepolo to fresco the main room in 1740. Archduke Ferdinand of Austria lived there between 1773 and 1778 while waiting for Palazzo Reale to finish construction. Rooms like the Boudoir and Maria Theresa's bedroom date from this period. The building became the seat of the Court of Appeal in 1862 after Napoleon's fall. ISPI received the palace in 1942 and has remained located there ever since.
The core research section publishes projects conducted jointly with other institutes through quarterly Ispi-Relazioni Internazionali. Policy Brief series circulates previews and synopses of international issues to a wider audience. Research activity organizes into specific Centres covering Asia, Cybersecurity, Europe and Global Governance, Business Scenarios, Middle East and North Africa, Radicalization and International Terrorism, Russia, Caucasus and Central Asia. Programmes handle Africa, Energy Security, Latin America, Migration, and Transatlantic Relations. Specific Country Desks focus exclusively on India and Iran. The traditional aim surveys political, strategic and economic trends within the international system. Results appear as final publications or collaborative project outputs. This structure ensures comprehensive interdisciplinary analysis across political, economic, legal, historical and strategic studies fields.
ISPI started organizing in-depth seminars on international themes in 1950. An agreement with the Foreign Ministry in 1969 transformed these into year-long courses for diplomatic career preparation. Competitive examinations led directly to professional diplomatic careers by that time. A master's degree in international affairs emerged in 1999 for those entering diplomacy or international organizations. Winter and Summer Schools offer short intensive courses since 2000. More than 130 courses have been offered with over 4,500 students attending from Italy and abroad. Subjects include Development and Cooperation, Humanitarian Emergencies, European affairs, Electoral Assistance, Human Rights Democratization, and Geopolitics. Collaboration with the Diplomatic Institute for the Foreign Ministry organizes teaching modules for delegation advisors already in service. Five active diploma programs currently operate including Global Security and Geopolitics tracks. Two active master's degrees exist covering Diplomacy and International Cooperation.
The 2015 Global Go to Think Tank Index Report edited by the University of Pennsylvania reaffirmed ISPI as a top global institution. The institute climbed 42 places in the Top Think Tanks Worldwide category to become the first Italian think tank. It ranks number one among Italian think tanks across fifteen categories including Defense and National Security. Other top rankings include Best Policy Study/Report and Think Tanks to Watch at third place worldwide. Financial performance placed it fourth globally among think tanks with annual operating budgets under five million US dollars. Rome Med - Mediterranean Dialogues earned seventh place in the Best Think Tank Conference category. The organization also ranked seventh worldwide for its network capabilities. Seven total categories placed ISPI within the top ten think tanks globally during that reporting period.
ISPI represents Italy at T20 Summits since 2013. These gatherings bring together the most prominent think tanks from G20 countries. The role involves official participation in discussions shaping international policy frameworks. This representation connects Italian academic perspectives directly to high-level diplomatic dialogues. Participation continues annually as part of the institute's broader engagement strategy. The program maintains active membership status within the global think tank community. Collaboration extends beyond domestic borders to influence international decision-making processes.
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Common questions
When did the Institute for International Political Studies officially launch its activities?
The Institute for International Political Studies officially launched its activities on the 27th of March 1934. A group of young scholars from the Universities of Milan and Pavia proposed this center to fascist Italy.
Where is the headquarters of the Institute for International Political Studies located in Milan?
The Institute for International Political Studies has been located in Palazzo Clerici since 1942. This palace stands in the heart of Milan within a district once known as Contrada del prestino dei Bossi.
What specific research centers does the Institute for International Political Studies operate?
Research activity at the Institute for International Political Studies organizes into specific Centres covering Asia, Cybersecurity, Europe and Global Governance, Business Scenarios, Middle East and North Africa, Radicalization and International Terrorism, Russia, Caucasus and Central Asia. Programmes handle Africa, Energy Security, Latin America, Migration, and Transatlantic Relations.
How many students have attended courses offered by the Institute for International Political Studies since 2000?
More than 4500 students have attended over 130 courses offered by the Institute for International Political Studies since 2000. These subjects include Development and Cooperation, Humanitarian Emergencies, European affairs, Electoral Assistance, Human Rights Democratization, and Geopolitics.
When did the Institute for International Political Studies first appear in the Top Think Tanks Worldwide category?
The Institute for International Political Studies climbed 42 places to become the first Italian think tank in the 2015 Global Go to Think Tank Index Report edited by the University of Pennsylvania. It ranks number one among Italian think tanks across fifteen categories including Defense and National Security.