DIIS is one of two institutes under the Danish Centre for International Studies and Human Rights, DCISM, the other institute being the Institute for Human Rights, IMR.
DCISM was established with the aim of strengthening research, analysis, and information activities in Denmark concerning international affairs, i.e. the fields of foreign, security, and development policy; conflict; holocaust, genocide and political mass murders; and human rights in Denmark and abroad.
DIIS, incorporates the former activities of the Danish Institute of International Affairs, DUPI; Centre for Development Research, CDR ; Copenhagen Peace Research Institute, COPRI; and a special section for the activities at Danish Centre for Holocaust and Genocide Studies, DCHF.