Annual Review 2018/19 V Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs, is a world-leading policy institute based in London. Our mission is to help governments and societies build a sustainably secure, prosperous and just world. V Chatham House Annual Review 2018/19 Contents Introduction 02 Chair’s statement 03 Director’s statement About us 04 Mission, governance and membership 06 Responding to the changed context 08 Reaching out to new audiences 10 Informed debate 12 Supporting the next generation of leaders Delivering our mission 14 Charting a course for stability in globally uncertain times 20 New thinking on how societies can promote prosperity 26 Contributing to a more just and equitable society 32 Honorary Treasurer’s report 34 Financial headlines 36 Governance, staff, funding and members Chatham house annual Review 2018/19 Chair’s statement Research and ideas that have impact, and reaching new diverse, global audiences, are priorities for the institute. I was delighted to be elected chair of Chatham Honorary Treasurer’s report (page 32), 2018/19 House last year. It is an honour to lead such was a challenging year financially, with income a remarkable institution and to have the totalling £16,381,000, slightly below the opportunity to build on the legacy left by Stuart level recorded in 2017/18. Although total Popham, who stepped down last year as chair net assets at 31 March 2019 were 3 per cent and whom I thank and pay tribute to. down year on year, the balance sheet remains My ambition is to ensure that the institute strong and there was an inflow of cash, with has an even better future than its illustrious the level of forward income received and past. We are living in unpredictable times, and pledged increasing significantly. I want us to be at the centre of the drive to guide In this context, I am delighted to note the world to a healthier place both politically the award of the transformational £10 million and economically. Chatham House possesses grant to facilitate the creation of the Stavros world-leading convening power, which – when Niarchos Foundation Wing, which will help combined with our capacity to deliver leading, facilitate research, host our Queen Elizabeth II cross-cutting research – gives us a unique Academy for Leadership in International Affairs advantage in the field of international relations. and establish a new collaboration space – the I want us to harness these assets and better ‘CoLab’ – for engaging our new audiences. combine the strengths of our research teams All of Chatham House’s supporters, and not so that we can address the big global challenges least our members, remain indispensable around economic growth; avoiding geopolitical to our success. Without their engagement, tensions; and developing new governance enthusiasm and input, the institute could systems (as outlined on page 7). This will not fulfil its mission. enable us to improve our impact and effect I am indebted to my colleagues on Council more policy change. for their support, engagement and expertise. I also want Chatham House to be an exciting I can say with confidence that they are actively place that attracts younger, more diverse, involved in their governance responsibilities international audiences. We need to drive at this time when the operational, as well as more engagement with the next generation financial, pressures on all charitable institutions of members and others to draw on their are more intense than ever. I would like to pay enthusiasm, energy and ideas. Our Common tribute to Alistair Burnett, Martin Fraenkel and ‘ We will Futures Conversations project, for example, Barbara Ridpath, who step down from Council combine the is engaging young people from 13 countries this year after a total of 15 years’ service. strengths of across Africa and Europe to identify their shared I would also like to thank and acknowledge concerns, and is enabling them to work together Robin Niblett and his team for their dedication our research to identify solutions via online communities. and hard work. Some of the outcomes of their teams to This initiative, and indeed all of our labours are highlighted on the following pages. address the activities, would not be possible without funding big global and support. As noted in more detail in the Lord Jim O’Neill challenges.’ 2 introduction Director’s statement Chatham House prepares for its centenary amid growing international uncertainty. In a world where geopolitical rivalry, resource and technological competition and resurgent nationalism have increased the risks of crisis and conflict, Chatham House’s role in researching and promoting solutions based on international cooperation and the sharing of best practices is increasingly important. ‘ We are Equity; and the publication of a sector-leading During the year under review, the institute proposing report, Making Concrete Change, on the intensified its efforts in four priority areas: solutions based enormous impact on the environment of how continuing to infuse policy debates with analysis cement and concrete are produced and used. based on facts and expertise; highlighting on international We also worked alongside HRH The Duke of the opportunities for positive change, cooperation Sussex and the Halo Trust to mobilize political especially through technological advances; and sharing momentum and a £47 million commitment contributing to policy innovation, especially best practice.’ by Angola’s environment minister towards on energy, climate change and cybersecurity; ensuring a landmine-free Angola by 2025. and proactively engaging a younger, more In terms of new capacity, I am pleased diverse, international audience. to announce the launch of a new Latin All of these priorities were on display during America initiative this past year, as well as our annual London Conference in June, where the completion of a first year of meetings and delegates representing 91 countries were clear outputs under the umbrella of our Digital in a flash survey that the issues on their minds Society Initiative. this year centred around populism, climate and These, and the many other projects and technology. These topics were among those activities outlined in this review, are made analysed in the second ‘Chatham House Expert possible by the generous contributions of our Perspectives’ survey of risks and opportunities many partners and supporters. They also in international affairs – entitled Ideas for reflect the ingenuity, energy and commitment Modernizing the Rules-based International of our 175 staff, 150 associate fellows, Order – which outlined policy suggestions on young volunteers and senior advisers. I am how rules and institutions can adapt to today’s enormously grateful for all their hard work. proliferating challenges. As we approach our centenary year in 2020, Other important outputs and initiatives this I look forward to working with all of them, year included the launch of our Commission on and along with our Council, to highlight the Democracy and Technology to investigate the important lessons learned from the institute’s nexus of technological change and the future past and the plan we are laying to help build of democratic governance; support for the a more sustainably secure, prosperous and Argentine and Japanese G20 presidencies as just world in the future. international knowledge partner for the ‘W20’, and for the ‘T20’ Taskforce on Gender Economic Robin Niblett CMG 3 Chatham house annual Review 2018/19 Mission, governance and membership Governance responsibilities for Chatham House reside with the Council, which is drawn from the institute’s members. • Leadership: Training the next Mission generation of policy influencers to deepen their knowledge of the critical Chatham House, the Royal Institute of issues and to develop their analytical International Affairs, is a world-leading policy and problem-solving skills. institute based in London. Our mission is to help governments and societies build a sustainably Our policy solutions are grounded in an secure, prosperous and just world. understanding of the value of: We deliver our mission through: • a cooperative approach to international affairs; • Dialogue: Engaging governments, the private sector, civil society and • the rule of law; our members in open debates and private discussions on the major • representative and accountable government issues in world politics. with effective separation of powers; • Research: Rigorous analysis of critical • open, well-regulated markets; and global, regional and country-specific challenges and opportunities. • a vibrant media and civil society that enables informed public debate. • Ideas: We develop new ideas and policies on how best to confront these challenges We seek to connect our research and ideas with and take advantage of these opportunities diverse audiences – from policy constituencies ‘ Our members from the near to the long term. to the general public – to build momentum for share and positive change. debate ideas on critical Governance issues in international Governance of Chatham House is overseen affairs.’ by our Council, which is chaired by Lord Jim O’Neill. Council members are drawn from and elected by our membership. Our patron is Her Majesty The Queen. We have three presidents who represent and assist at a senior institutional level. We also have a Panel of Senior Advisers who provide 4 Mission, governance and MeMbership an experienced sounding board for our policy Members play an essential role in exploring Above and left: conclusions and help communicate our ideas research and in questioning thought leaders Audience questions are an important part at the highest levels. and decision-makers at Chatham House events. of our events. In addition, governance responsibilities for PHOTOS: SUZANNE PLUNKETT the operation and management of the institute Membership reside with our Council. Chatham House, as a non-profit institute Our global membership community spans without government subsidy or significant the worlds of business, diplomacy, academia, endowment, relies on a diverse breadth of politics, the media and civil society, as well financial support to sustain its independence.