The IGD has had the distinction of celebrating its first ten years of existence at the same time that South Africa has celebrated a decade of democracy. Over the past ten years, the organisation has moved from infancy to maturity, establishing itself as an important intellectual and research resource on the political, economic, social, and cultural underpinnings of contemporary international relations.

In 1999, following a review of its mandate, mission, and purpose, the FGD was replaced and superseded by the IGD. The FGD’s original mission was deliberately broad, in order to allow it to experiment with ideas and develop a distinctive profile, niche, and competencies. After a steep five-year learning curve, the IGD executive team, in consultation with the board, undertook an internal assessment of the organisation’s accomplishments, structure, strategic direction, and future challenges. Having developed a solid base of policy, thematic, and analytical expertise in such a short space of time, it was decided that this would form an appropriate framework for a more focused organisation and a more strategically defined agenda.

The IGD seeks to strengthen and enrich South Africa’s emerging democracy by promoting an understanding of key issues in international affairs, particularly as these relate to its southern African, African, and multilateral programmes. It does so, inter alia, by facilitating discussions and dialogue and organising appropriate forums, publishing research and analysis on a broad spectrum of relevant issues, engaging with a broad network of organisations and individuals in South Africa and elsewhere in order to enhance the quality of its research, and receiving visiting scholars and interns. It disseminates its research and publications widely, and organises open seminars on topical issues so as to encourage a better informed public on global affairs.

While the IGD’s ten-year-old milestone is a fitting moment for reflecting on its past history and record, it has also provided an opportunity to think about its future. With the organisation firmly established over years of trial and error, its future took an interesting turn during strategic discussions with the board and executive team at the end of 2003. Building on its institutional strengths, accomplishments, and areas of expertise, it was agreed that the IGD would expand its capital base to supplement that of its founding endowment, thereby not only assuring the sustained financial health of the organisation, but unlocking new resources to maintain the standards of excellence associated with the IGD. This development is set to propel the IGD into an interesting and exciting orbit, as part of its next phase of growth and development.