1.      What is the Real Instituto Elcano de Estudios Internacionales y Estratégicos?

The Elcano Royal Institute is a private, non-partisan, foundation. It is independent of both the Public Administration and the companies that largely finance it. Its aim is to study the interests of Spain and Spanish society in an international context and to make its research available to policy-makers, academics, business leaders, the media and society in general. The Institute is the result of a twofold agreement: between the government and the main opposition party on the one hand, and between the public and private sectors on the other.

2.      When and why was it created?

The Institute was formally established in December 2001 and started to operate in early 2002. Its mission is to serve as a focal point for thought and the generation of ideas in the field of international and strategic relations. Its activities are designed to be of use to political leaders and the heads of public and private institutions, while also helping to shape public opinion.

3.      How is the Real Instituto Elcano financed?

Slightly less than 25% of the Institute’s annual budget of around 3 million euros is provided by the Public Administration through the medium of four ministries (Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Defence, Economy and Finance and Culture). The remaining 75 % is financed by the private sector in the form of annual contributions from the firms represented on its Board of Trustees or Business Advisory Council.

4.      Who is in control? What are its governing bodies? Who manages it?

The Institute’s main governing body is its Board of Trustees which, under the honorary presidency of HRH the Prince of Asturias, ensures that both public and private interests and those of the government and opposition are evenly balanced. Board members include former Prime Ministers Leopoldo Calvo Sotelo and Felipe González, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Defence, Economy and Finance, and Culture, Marcelino Oreja (former Minister of Foreign Affairs and former European Commisioner), Juan José Linz (Sterling Profesor of Political Science, Yale University) the chairmen of companies that support the Institute and, finally, an appointee of the country’s main opposition party, and the Institute's former chariman (Eduardo Serra) and director (Emilio Lamo de Espinosa). The Board’s chairman is Gustavo Suárez Pertierra, former Minister of Defence, with Antonio de Oyarzábal, Ambassador of Spain, acting as Vice-chairman.

An Executive Committee, acting on behalf of the Board of Trustees, is responsible for the Institute’s direct management and meets on a regular basis (usually every two months).

The Institute’s management team is made up of a president, Gustavo Suárez Pertierra, a director, currently Gil Carlos Rodríguez Iglesias, and two Assistant Directors: Charles Powell, in charge of Research and Analysis, and Pilar Tena, in charge of Institutional Relations.

5.      Is the Elcano Royal Institute subject to the Government in any way? Or dependant on any individual company?

The Institute’s nature and composition guarantee both its non-partisan character and its independence, by integrating and representing the interests of public bodies, private companies and other political and social players. Both the Public Administration and the firms that support the Institute have a say in its governance and day-to-day running through the Board of Trustees and Executive Committee.

6.      What is the Scientific Council?

The Scientific Council is the Institute’s advisory body for the efficient fulfilment of all activities enshrined in its mission statement, especially those pertaining to research, publications and institutional relations. The Council’s members include leading personalities in the academic, political, business and media worlds, who contribute a wide-ranging knowledge and experience of international politics.

7.      What is the Business Advisory Council?

The Business Advisory Council is made up of the firms that support the Institute and is responsible for advising the Board of Trustees and the Executive Committee, proposing activities and cooperating in the organization of meetings and the dissemination of research.

8.      What documents does the Real Instituto Elcano produce?

The Institute produces two basic types of document: the Analyses of the Royal Institute (or ARI), concise papers of around 2,500 words on a relevant international topic; and Working Papers, which are longer academic studies (including footnotes and comprehensive bibliographies) of around 10,000-15,000 words on medium- or longer-term issues.

The Institute also publishes books, annuals and reports in different formats. Some, such as Elcano’s Latin American Annual, are released on a regular basis.

9.      Does the Real Instituto Elcano draw up other confidential or secret documents?

No, the Institute’s entire production is released on its website and made available to society at large. The Executive Committee formally decided it would not carry out consultancy work as such, ie, for individual clients.

10.  How can I receive information on the Royal Institute’s work?

You can consult our website (www.realinstitutoelcano.org) and subscribe to our monthly e-mail bulletin, which provides information on all the new items included on the website and a calendar of future activities.

11.  How can I become a Trustee of the Royal Institute?

The Institute aims to open its Board of Trustees to leading academic, cultural and social personalities and also to companies interested in supporting its activity. The firms represented on the Elcano Royal Institute’s Board of Trustees help to finance its activities through an annual contribution of €150,000 for a minimum period of four years.

12.  … And a member of its Business Advisory Council?

Companies represented on the Institute’s Business Advisory Council make an annual contribution of €60,000, also with the commitment of maintaining it for four years.