The Institute of International Integration Studies was established in Russia in 2008 as a non-governmental, non-commercial public organisation. Among the founders were Mikhail Starshinov, Member of the State Duma (parliament) of Russia, and Alexander Vorobiev, independent analyst, journalist and PR expert, as well as a number of Russian independent foundations. The Institute is very active in organising public events such as conferences, seminars, and roundtable discussions. In 2008-2010 the Institute organised or took part as a co-organiser in seminars and conferences in Russia, Armenia, Ukraine, France and Serbia. For example in December 2009 there were two large conferences in Armenia and Ukraine dealing with issues of defence and security and the role of parliamentary and public inst ...