Who We Are

History

The International Crisis Group is an independent organisation working to prevent wars and shape policies that will build a more peaceful world.

Learn more about our mission

Crisis Group was founded in 1995 as an international non-governmental organisation by a group of prominent statesmen who despaired at the international community’s failure to anticipate and respond effectively to the tragedies of Somalia, Rwanda and Bosnia. The group was led by Morton Abramowitz (former U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and Thailand, then President of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace), Mark Malloch-Brown (former head of the UN Development Programme, then UN Deputy Secretary-General and UK Minister), and its first Chairman, U.S. Senator George Mitchell. The idea was to create a new organisation with a highly professional staff to serve as the world’s eyes and ears for impending conflicts, and with a highly influential board that could mobilise effective action from global policymakers.

Crisis Group today is generally regarded as the world’s leading source of information, analysis and policy advice to prevent and resolve deadly conflict.

Read Crisis Group’s 15 Year Anniversary brochure Fifteen Years on the Frontlines [PDF].

Origins

  • 1993
    Spark
    Lionel Rosenblatt, then head of Refugees International, Mort Abramowitz and Mark Malloch Brown, at Sarajevo airport moments before coming up with the concept of Crisis Group, January 1993. CRISIS GROUP
    Lionel Rosenblatt, then head of Refugees International, Mort Abramowitz and Mark Malloch Brown, at Sarajevo airport moments before coming up with the concept of Crisis Group, January 1993. CRISIS GROUP
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  • 1994
    Preparation
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  • 1995
    Launch
    Fred Cuny, photographed in Somalia in 1992. DALLAS MORNING NEWS/Judy Walgren
    Fred Cuny DALLAS MORNING NEWS/Judy Walgren
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  • 1996
    Making a Mark
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  • 1997
    Tragic Setback
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  • 1998
    New Horizons
    Cover of Crisis Group's Kosovo Spring Report
    Image from the cover of “Kosovo Spring” CRISIS GROUP
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  • 1999
    Momentum Falters
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  • 2000
    A New Era
    Crisis Group President Gareth Evans, South Asia Project Director Samina Ahmed and Board member Martti Ahtisaari at the London Board meeting, 2002. CRISIS GROUP
    Crisis Group President Gareth Evans, South Asia Project Director Samina Ahmed and Board member Martti Ahtisaari at the London Board meeting, 2002. CRISIS GROUP
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  • 2001
    New Challenges
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  • 2002
    A Force for Peace
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  • 2003
    New Crises
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  • 2004
    Darfur Rising
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  • 2005
    Responsibility to Protect
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  • 2006
    Initiatives
    Crisis Group Co-Chairs Thomas Pickering and Chris Patten at the Brussels Board meeting, November 2006. CRISIS GROUP/Stephen de Broyer
    Crisis Group Co-Chairs Thomas Pickering and Chris Patten at the Brussels Board meeting, November 2006. CRISIS GROUP/Stephen de Broyer
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  • 2007
    Global Reach
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  • 2008
    New Storms
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  • 2009
    Transition
    Louise Arbour and Gareth Evans in discussion at  Crisis Group Board meeting in Paris 2008. CRISIS GROUP/Melissa Haw
    Louise Arbour and Gareth Evans in discussion at Crisis Group’s Board meeting in Paris 2008. CRISIS GROUP/Melissa Haw
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  • 2014
    A New President
    Jean-Marie Guéhenno
    Jean-Marie Guéhenno CRISIS GROUP/Tomas Jansen
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  • 2015
    A New Broom
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  • 2016
    International Crisis Group, Rebranded
    New Logo Types
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  • 2017
    European Success
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  • 2018
    Robert Malley Chosen as President & CEO
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  • 2021
    Dr Comfort Ero Appointed President & CEO
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