Atis Lejins is the founder of the Latvian Institute of International Affairs and was its Director from 1992-2011. Currently he serves as member of the Advisory Board and is Honorary Director of LIIA. Born in Latvia he worked in Australia, the USA, and Sweden before returning to Latvia after the restoration of independence in 1991. He was elected to the 10th, 11th and 12th Saeima (Latvian Parliament). During the 13th Saeima he served as the Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee. Acquired master's degree from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Latvian Academy of Sciences ha awarded Atis Legions with honorary doctorate (Dr.cs.pol.h.c).