Institute of International Relations

Establishment of the Institute

 

Following negotiations between the Rt. Hon. Dr. Eric Williams, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, and the Government of Switzerland, which culminated in the signing of a formal Agreement between the two Governments on January 7, 1966, the Institute of International Relations opened its doors in the fall of 1966. The two Governments entrusted the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva with the academic direction of the programme and with the responsibility of administering the funds provided by the Swiss Government. A separate Agreement between the Geneva Institute and the University of the West Indies establishes close links between these two academic institutions. The Trinidad Institute is affliated with U.W.I. and its basic regulations are in conformity with those of the University.

 

The Institute was officially opened on February 1, 1967, by Her Royal Highness Princess Alice, Chancellor of the University of the West Indies. Inaugural addresses were delivered by Professor F. T. Wahlen, former President of the Swiss Confederation; the Rt. Hon. Dr. Eric Williams, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, and by the Director of the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva, Professor Jacques Freymond.