The Rideau Institute was founded in October of 2006 (federally incorporated as the Rideau Institute on International Affairs) and commenced operations in January 2007. It is a registered non-profit organization and is located in Ottawa on the historic Sparks Street Mall, one block from Parliament Hill. Its modest offices are in the Hope Building overlooking the Office of the Prime Minister (PMO) and the Privy Council. The Rideau Institute’s primary activities are independent policy-relevant research and analysis, advocacy, and social engagement to assist decision-makers, opinion leaders and the general public to knowledgeably participate in the national debate on foreign, defence and national security policy, with a view to the development of an international security policy that embodies the UN Charter principles of multilateral cooperation, the peaceful resolution of disputes and the progressive strengthening of international law.