| The Finnish Institute of International Affairs | |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | FIIA |
| Formation | 1961 |
| Type | International relations think tank |
| Headquarters | Helsinki, Finland |
| Director | Teija Tiilikainen |
| Website | www.fiia.fi |
The Finnish Institute of International Affairs (FIIA, Finnish: Ulkopoliittinen instituutti, Swedish: Utrikespolitiska institutet, UPI) is an independent research institute that produces topical information of a high standard on international relations and the European Union. The Institute takes an active role in public debates and its expertise supports political decision-making. The core of the Institute's funding comes from the Parliament of Finland. The Institute is located on Katajanokka in Helsinki.
The Institute has three research programmes: The European Union; The EU's Eastern Neighbourhood and Russia; and Global Security. The FIIA organises conferences, seminars and round-table meetings on topical subjects related to research programs. These seminars provide a forum for high level discussions between academics and decision-makers. The research findings and current analyses on international topics are published in the FIIA-Report and Briefing Paper –series. In addition, the Institute publishes Ulkopolitiikka, a quarterly journal on international relations.
The staff of the new Finnish Institute of International Affairs consists of around 50 members. The Director of the Institute is Dr. Teija Tiilikainen. The work of the FIIA is directed by a nine-member board, appointed by the Parliament and chaired by Minister Antti Tanskanen. The Institute also has an advisory council.
The Institute was set up at the centennial session of the Finnish Parliament in June 2006 and started to function 1 January 2007 under the auspices of the Parliament of Finland. Previously, the Finnish Institute of International Affairs functioned as a private research organization that was founded by the Paasikivi Society in 1961 and maintained by the Foundation for Foreign Policy Research.