Chatham House

The Royal Institute of International Affairs, commonly known as Chatham House, is a British think tank based in London, England. Its stated mission is to help governments and societies build a sustainably secure, prosperous and just world. It is the originator of the Chatham House Rule. Overview The Royal Institute of International Affairs has its headquarters in central London at 10 St James's Square, which is known as Chatham House. It is a Grade I listed 18th-century building that was designed in part by Henry Flitcroft and was occupied by three British prime ministers, including William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham, whose name became associated with the house. Canadian philanthropists Lieutenant-Colonel Reuben Wells Leonard and Kate Rowlands Leonard purchased the property in 1923 and then donated the building to the fledgling institute as its headquarters. As a result, the Chatham House name is used as a metonym for the institute as a whole. Chatham House accepts individual members, as well as members from corporations, academic institutions and NGOs. Chatham House Rule Chatham House is the origin of the non-attribution rule known as the Chatham House Rule, which provides that an attendee of a meeting may discuss the content of this meeting in the outside world, but may not discuss who attended or identify what a specific individual said. The Chatham House Rule evolved to facilitate frank and honest discussion on controversial or unpopular issues by speakers who may not have otherwise had the appropriate forum to speak freely. Despite this, most meetings at Chatham House are held on the record, and not under the Chatham House Rule.