The official launch of the Institute took place on Tuesday, Oct 20, 2009. The launch took place at multiple locations (Progress, Ashtonbee and the Morningside campuses and the Centre for Creative Communications0.

The launch began with a speech by the President, Ann Buller, followed by lectures on each campus by invited guest speakers.

The guest speakers were:

• Ashtonbee - Ms. Naba Saleem Hamid, "Iraqi Woman's Voice: Hearing My Story"
• CCC - Mr. Robert Antone, "First Nations are Global Citizens Seeking Equity"
• MS - Dr. Nombuso Dlamini, "Youth Engagement in the Global Process: Re-examining the Global Village"
• Progress - Dr. Moain Sadeq, "Cultural Legacy of Ancient Middle East: Common Inheritance of the Interfaith Architects and Artisans"