Ifri is a unique platform for understanding the contemporary world. It has established itself as a reference on a global scale, recognized by its peers.

Its governance, the diversity of its financing and its ethical framework as established by its charter, the requirement for quality in its work, guarantee its independence and respect for the values ​​that drive it. Its teams are made up of permanent researchers as well as event and communication professionals. It organizes the World Policy Conference annually.

The institute's activities aim to enlighten public and private decision-makers faced with the international dimension. Ifri was built on the principle of transversality and cooperation between its researchers, made increasingly necessary by the growing complexity of the international system.

A foundation recognized as being of public utility, Ifri ensures that it always works in the direction and for the benefit of the general interest. Thus, it contributes, through its influence in France and abroad, to the animation and structuring of public debate on major global issues, with a view to strengthening over time a reasonably open and peaceful world. “Reasonably” refers to the obligation to understand the culture and fundamental interests of each nation, at their most enduring, if we are to promote structurally stable international governance. This mission has become even more important at a time when the world risks fragmenting.

With experience acquired over more than four decades which saw the end of the Cold War, the acceleration of the digital revolution, the explosion of political Islamism and international terrorism, the avatars of globalization, the emergence of global problems such as climate change, the illusions of the "Arab Spring" or even the disappearance of economic crises, the rise of China and the exacerbation of Sino-American rivalry, the return of pandemics, then the inflation, and to top it all off, the Ukraine war, Ifri now has the necessary perspective to place its action in the long term, like the British and American institutions which inspired its creation and which recently celebrated their centenary. Ifri achieves this thanks to the unwavering support it receives, in particular that of its major donors. We hope that Ifri's circle of supporters continues to expand, in particular through the Société des Amis de l'Ifri which was created in 2023.

Thierry de Montbrial 

Founder and Executive Chairman of Ifri
Member of the Académie des Sciences morales et politiques