Institute for International Political Studies

The Institute for International Political Studies - ISPI (full official name in Italian Istituto per gli Studi di Politica Internazionale), founded in 1934, is the oldest Italian think tank specialised in international affairs. ISPI approaches international affairs in a sound pragmatic manner, monitoring geopolitical areas as well as major global trends. Comprehensive interdisciplinary analysis is ensured by close collaboration with specialists, academic and non-academic, in political, economic, legal, historical and strategic studies and an ever-growing network of think tanks, research centers and universities in Europe and abroad. It headquarters are in Palazzo Clerici, a splendid example of 18th-century Milanese patrician building which boasts among its treasures the famous room with a Tiepolo fresco.

The Institute's activities branch out in four major directions: research, publications, career training and organizations of events. ISPI is an impartial scientific benchmark for all those interested in international issues: from members of the political and cultural worlds to operators in the business community, public administrations, international bodies and non governmental organisations.

The 2015 Global Go to Think Tank Index Report, edited by the Think Tanks & Civil Societies Program (TTCSP) of the University of Pennsylvania, reaffirmed the Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI) as one of the Top Think Tanks worldwide. In the broadest and most prestigious category “Top Think Tanks Worldwide – US and non-US”, ISPI climbed 42 places, thus resulting the 1st Italian Think Tank. ISPI also ranks 1st, among Italian think tanks, in other 15 categories, including “Top Defense and National Security”, “Top International Economics” and “Best Policy Study/Report”. In addition, ISPI:

- ranks 3rd worldwide in the category “Think Tanks to Watch” - ranks 4th worldwide among “Think Tanks with Annual Operating Budgets of Less than $5 Million USD” and in the “Best Managed Think Tank” category - ranks 7th worldwide in the “Best Think Tank Conference” and “Best Think Tank Network” categories - ranks among the top 10 think tanks worldwide in 7 categories.

From 2013, ISPI represents Italy at the T20 Summits, the official gathering of the G20 countries’ most prominent think thanks.

ISPI’s activities were officially launched on 27 March 1934 by a group of young scholars from the Universities of Milan and Pavia who, taking into consideration the strong international presence that characterized our country during those years, and inspired by the examples of London’s Royal Institute of Foreign Affairs and New York’s Foreign Policy Association, proposed to endow fascist Italy with a centre of studies focused on foreign politics. The Institute began its editorial activities from the very first year but to sustain such a rapid development it was immediately necessary to look for a conspicuous source of funds. This came about through the meeting in February 1935 with Alberto Pirelli, the second son of the founder of the Pirelli company itself. It was due to the efforts of Alberto Pirelli that the concession was obtained from Mussolini to have the headquarters in Palazzo Clerici. After an inevitable interruption due to the military occupation and uncertainties following the liberation, ISPI was able to resume its activities in 1949. Starting from the 1950s, it organized each year a postgraduate course for young people aiming to embark on a diplomatic career or work in the sphere of international economics and politics.