CIRI is an independent institute dedicated to civic education, international understanding, and the critical skills people need to participate meaningfully in a rapidly changing world.
"An informed, engaged citizenry is not an outcome of democracy — it is its foundation."
The Civic & International Relations Institute was established from a conviction that civic participation and international understanding are skills — skills that can be taught, practised, and developed at any age.
We live in an era of profound change: artificial intelligence is reshaping economies and democracies; social media is remaking public discourse; international relationships are shifting in ways that affect daily life. Citizens who understand these forces are better equipped to navigate them.
CIRI develops programmes, resources, and learning experiences that build that understanding — for young people, for working adults, and for institutions that want to invest in the civic capability of their communities.
Understanding how institutions work, how decisions are made, and how citizens can influence them.
The ability to understand, evaluate, and use digital technologies — including AI — critically and confidently.
Appreciation of how international systems, relationships, and conflicts shape the world we live in.
The foundational skill of evaluating evidence, recognising bias, and forming well-reasoned views.
CIRI develops focused programmes that address specific gaps in civic and digital education. Our first programme — CIRI Futures — launches in 2025.
Courses for young people (ages 13–21) and adults on artificial intelligence, digital literacy, social media, and building with AI tools. Practical, critical, and accessible.
Explore CIRI Futures →Programmes exploring how democratic institutions work, the role of civil society, and how citizens can engage effectively with political and public life.
In developmentThese principles shape every programme we design and every partnership we enter.
We present evidence fairly, acknowledge complexity, and don't oversimplify. We teach people to do the same.
Civic and digital literacy should not be the preserve of the privileged. We design for inclusion and actively work to remove barriers.
Knowledge without application is limited. Every CIRI programme includes hands-on learning that participants can use in their lives.
CIRI is independent of political parties, commercial interests, and ideological movements. Our only commitment is to informed, critical understanding.
The challenges we address — AI, democratic health, international relations — are generational. We build for depth, not just immediate impact.
Everything we do is in service of a healthier, more informed public sphere. We measure success by the quality of engagement our participants bring to the world.
We welcome enquiries from individuals, schools, organisations, and anyone interested in what CIRI is building. Whether you're interested in our courses, a potential partnership, or just want to learn more — we'd love to hear from you.
For course bookings and school enquiries, please visit CIRI Futures directly.