Clingendael

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CLINGENDAEL

The Netherlands Institute of International Relations “Clingendael” is committed to gain a deeper understanding of international relations, the basic patterns of human interaction across national borders, in all their political, economic and cultural variety and complexity. It aimes to make knowledge available to all those interested in international affairs. Established in 1983, as the outcome of the merger of several Dutch institutes, Clingendael is widely recognised as one of the leading European think-tanks in the field of international relations.

The world today presents a number of striking contradictions and paradoxes. On the one hand, increasing economic globalisation is making national borders highly irrelevant, and creates materialist and postmaterialist lifestyles for many. Traditional forms of interstate warfare are on the wane. On the other hand, in several parts of the world, political fragmentation is taking place in many state formations, as are severe ethnic conflicts, new security threats (including a revival of terrorism), and fundamentalist reactions to western secularisation and capitalist consumption. Clingendael’s work focuses on understanding such contradictions and paradoxes.

The Institute seeks to encourage better communication and closer collaboration between academic foreign policy scholars and practitioners. By attempting to bridge the gap between theory and practice for governments and non-state actors, the Institute hopes to develop the type of knowledge and insight that can be used effectively by policymakers. In this, it focuses largely on the complex international position of the Netherlands. One of Clingendael’s main endeavours is to assess the impact of the ongoing process of European integration for the Netherlands.

Clingendael is unique in that it is both a diplomatic academy and a research centre. As a diplomatic academy, it offers specialised training programmes to diplomats and other civil servants from Europe, Asia and Africa. In addition, the Institute trains military officers to help them prepare for key positions in peace-keeping operations. As a research centre, it produces a continuous stream of publications (some in collaboration with prominent international institutes), of use to anyone interested in international policy. In both capacities, the Institute strives to meet high standards of quality, in the conviction that the formation of intellectual capital is essential to the strength of nations.

For more information about Clingendael
http://www.clingendael.nl/