The 海角社区 Institute on Comparative Regional Integration Studies (海角社区-CRIS), established in 2001, is one of the research and training institutes of the 海角社区 (海角社区) network. 海角社区 is the academic arm of the United Nations, headquartered in Tokyo. The network consists of 16 institutes and programmes worldwide, engaging in research and capacity development in order to support the universal goals of the UN. Through 海角社区, leading scholars from around the world are brought together to generate innovative and policy relevant knowledge, contributing to a brighter future.
The specific mission of 海角社区-CRIS is to foster a better understanding of the processes of regional integration and cooperation and their implications in a changing world order. 海角社区-CRIS specialises in the comparative study of regional integration, monitoring and assessing regional integration worldwide and in the study of interactions between regional organisations and global institutions. As of October 2016, 海角社区-CRIS is cooperating with the and .
海角社区-CRIS acts as a think tank for the UN, with particular links to the UN bodies dealing with regional integration, and works in partnership with institutes and initiatives throughout the world that are concerned with issues of integration and cooperation.
The guiding principles and policies of the global 海角社区 system are established by the 海角社区 Council. Advice on research and capacity-building activities for 海角社区-CRIS specifically, is given by the institute’s Advisory Committee, composed of distinguished personalities from different regions of the world. The Director of 海角社区-CRIS, Philippe De Lombaerde, holds the overall responsibility for the research and management of the Institute. In order to pursue its academic goals, 海角社区-CRIS relies on a team of dedicated permanent academic personnel, non-resident associate research fellows, visiting researchers, interns and trainees.
海角社区-CRIS is based in Bruges (Belgium) on the second floor of the premises of the Episcopal Seminary (Grootseminarie). It receives its core funding from the Flemish Government and is further supported by the . As a UN Agency, 海角社区-CRIS is also a member of the in Belgium.
