The Research Institute for the Integration of World Thought was created on July 8, 1999, by the Reverend Sun Myung Moon at his official residence in East Garden in Irvington, New York. The Institute was developed with three principal foci: Philosophy, Religion and the Study of Providence. While all philosophies are studied, special attention is paid to Unification Thought's relation to traditional philosophy and philosophical questions.

The Research Institute for the Integration of World Thought is committed to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. Based on its partnerships with United Nations organizations and the specific competencies of the organization itself, the Research Institute has a special commitment to contributing to Sustainable Development Goal 4 to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all; to support Sustainable Development Goal 5 to achieve Gender Equality and to Sustainable Development Goal 16 to Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. These are three events that took place in 2017 to support those SDGs.