Based in Trinidad and Tobago, the Library at the Institute of International Relations (IIR) is located on the St Augustine Campus of the University of the West Indies. As a postgraduate library in the St Augustine Campus Libraries network, it supports research and curriculum development at IIR with an international focus and a regional character.
Head Librarian, Cherill Farrell enters the IIR Library
The UWI Institute of International Relations (UWI IIR) was established in October 1966 by an agreement between the Governments of Trinidad and Tobago and Switzerland. It is situated on the St. Augustine Campus of The University of the West Indies (UWI) in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
According to the agreement with the University in 1966, the Institute was mandated to teach all university courses in international relations at the graduate level. This mandate allowed the UWI IIR to play a major role in the training of personnel for the Foreign Services of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries. The IIR's academic programme is certified by the University, and its degrees are conferred by the University.
The Institute advances analysis and publication, policy development, development, security and regionalism, applied training and networking at national, regional, hemispheric and global levels, linking with other international relations (IR) centres. Its resources include a unique library on Caribbean International Relations.
When the Institute was established in 1966, a special grant of $4000 US was made by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), and a gift of UN documents was also received. Since then, every effort has been made to rapidly increase the resources of the library.
Today, the Library has a specialized collection of over 25,000 monographs and 240 journal titles and houses the most comprehensive collection of information resources in the world on the international relations of the Caribbean, with an interest in Latin American affairs. It is a vital part of the infrastructure of the Institute not only for its teaching and research component but its services to staff, students, alumni, Fellows and visiting researchers.
Subject areas covered include international law, international politics, international trade, diplomacy, international organizations, international relations theory and international money and finance.
The mission of the UWI Institute of International Relations is to enhance understanding of Caribbean international relations, applying multidisciplinary perspectives, while contributing to related regional and national human resource development needs.