IAI (International Affairs Institute) was founded in 1965 by Altiero Spinelli, one of the founding fathers of the European Union (he was co-author of the Ventotene Manifesto). The Institute is an independent organization and one of the most prestigious Italian think thank whose main objectives are to promote a wider understanding of the international politics dynamics and challenges through research, meetings, publications, and to contribute to the shaping of international policies aimed at reinforcing multilateral collaboration, democratic freedom and social justice. IAI is an independent think thank and its funding is obtained from a variety of sources, including membership fees, project research, foundation grants, publication sales, and public grants.