About Think Tanks: The Mission and Impact of the World's Leading Think Tanks

One of the recommendations that emerged from the G20 Foreign Policy Think Tank Summit in June of 2012 was a strong interest in developing an online platform that would enable the continual exchange of ideas and facilitate collaborative efforts among think tanks around the world. The underlying objective of this recommendation was to increase the profile and performance of think tanks by sharing the best practices for think tank research, management, resource mobilization and external relations of the leading think tanks in the world.

As the first step in a larger initiative to advance conversation between policy research, analysis and engagement institutions, the Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program is creating an online directory featuring the organizational profiles of the world’s top think tanks. The profiles will take the form of power point presentations that many organizations have developed for internal (new staff orientation) or external (fundraising and external relations) purposes.

It is our belief that bridges between policy research institutions and their analysts and scholars can be formed at many levels that often transcend academic disciplines and national and political boundaries. We are convinced that by presenting the diversity of programs and organizational models in a variety of local, national and global contexts we can facilitate the exchange of information and best practices among think tanks and policy oriented NGOs around the world.

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Now showing 1 - 10 of 45
  • Publication
    Center for a New American Security
    (2015-01-01) Center for a New American Security

    The mission of the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) is to develop strong, pragmatic and principled national security and defense policies. Building on the expertise and experience of its staff and advisors, CNAS engages policymakers, experts and the public with innovative, fact-based research, ideas and analysis to shape and elevate the national security debate. A key part of our mission is to inform and prepare the national security leaders of today and tomorrow.

    CNAS is located in Washington, and was established in February 2007 by co-founders Dr. Kurt M. Campbell and Michèle A. Flournoy. CNAS is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt nonprofit organization. Its research is independent and non-partisan. CNAS does not take institutional positions on policy issues and all views, positions, and conclusions expressed in its publications should be understood to be solely those of the authors.

    CNAS board members, founders, leaders, scholars, and interns have held or gone on to prominent positions in the U.S. government, at the departments of Defense and State; the White House; the Central Intelligence Agency; Congress; and the private sector. CNAS enjoys a strong network of supporters in all corners of the policymaking community as a result.

  • Publication
    Fundación Alternativas
    (2014-01-01) Fundación Alternativas

    Alternativas nació en 1997 con la voluntad de ser un cauce de incidencia y reflexión política, social, económica y cultural en España y Europa, en el marco de una mundialización creciente.

    Es un lugar de encuentro, de discusión y elaboración de ideas y propuestas en el que participan los actores más dinámicos y avanzados de nuestra sociedad. El objetivo central de los impulsores es el análisis y definición de nuevas ideas, dirigiéndose al encuentro de los ciudadanos y del conjunto de la sociedad. Además, tenemos el objetivo de hacer propuestas a los partidos políticos y otros actores económicos y sociales con la intención de que éstos las incorporen a la toma de decisiones.

    Nuestras áreas de trabajo abarcan todas las políticas públicas, tanto desde un enfoque nacional como europeo y global. Estas áreas encuentran su desarrollo en los diferentes departamentos de laFundación Alternativas que pueden ser consultadas en esta web. Así, el Laboratorio de Aalternativas aparece como el lugar desde donde se pretende impulsar la elaboración de propuestas rigurosas a cuestiones que preocupen a los ciudadanos. El Observatorio de Política Exterior (OPEX), como su nombre indica, se dedica al análisis y elaboración de propuestas sobre política exterior española y el seguimiento de la misma en el marco europeo y global. Por su parte,Estudios de Progreso, es un programa dirigido a jóvenes investigadores con el fin de que puedan aportar nuevas ideas y alternativas a los problemas contemporáneos. El Observatorio de Cultura y Comunicación (OCC-FA) se constituye con el fin de estudiar, analizar y plantear iniciativas en los sectores de cultura y comunicación, tanto en España y la Unión Europea, como en Iberoamérica y territorios hispanos de Estados Unidos.

  • Publication
    Elcano Royal Institute
    (2014-01-01) Elcano Royal Institute

    The Elcano Royal Institute (Real Instituto Elcano) is a private entity, independent of both the Public Administration and the companies that provide most of its funding. It was established, under the honorary presidency of HRH the Prince of Asturias, on 2 December 2001 as a forum for analysis and debate on international affairs and particularly on Spainâ s international relations. Its output aims to be of use to Spainâ s decision-makers, both public and private, active on the international scene. Its work should similarly promote the knowledge of Spain in the strategic scenarios in which the countryâ s interests are at stake.

    From its inception the Elcano Royal Institute considers itself a non-partisan â but not neutralâ institution that seeks to promote the values by which it was inspired and which, by means of multidisciplinary analysis of existing and â especiallyâ forward developments, aims to establish a global strategy resulting in political proposals having a practical application.

  • Publication
    Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO)
    (2014-01-01) IMEMO

    IMEMO has been founded by the Russian Academy of Sciences. The Institute is a non-profit organization which acts within the Charter of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

    Principles of Activities

    The mission of the Institute is the elaboration of a reliable analytical basis for political decision-making. The Institute cooperates with federal and regional government bodies, mass media, major public and private companies. In its research, IMEMO takes an independent and uncommitted position.

    IMEMO also takes an active part in:

    • expert consulting on legislation, government policies, entrepreneurial strategies;
    • world market research;
    • consulting of Russian administrative and executive bodies;
    • organizing and holding conferences and workshops, carrying out international study projects, maintaining links with international and foreign research institutions.

  • Publication
    Center for the Implementation of Public Policies Promoting Equity and Growth (CIPPEC)
    (2015-01-01) CIPPEC

    Center for the Implementation of Public Policies Promoting Equity and Growth (CIPPEC) is a private, non-profit organization that strives to create a more just, democratic, and efficient State in Argentina to improve the quality of life for all Argentine citizens.

  • Publication
    Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI)
    (2014-01-01) NUPI

    The Norwegian Institute of International Affairs has around 80 employees, including part-time positions and guest researchers. The institute is organised in six research groups that reflect our thematic core competences, and in addition the Administration department and the Communications department.

  • Publication
    Bruegel
    (2015-01-01) Bruegel

    Bruegel is a European think tank that specialises in economics. Established in 2005, it is independent and non-doctrinal. Bruegelâ s mission is to improve the quality of economic policy with open and fact-based research, analysis and debate. We are committed to impartiality, openness and excellence. Bruegelâ s membership includes EU Member State governments, international corporations and institutions.

    Through publications, events, social media, and a lively blog, Bruegel has carved a unique discussion space for everyone interested in improving the quality of economic policy. Through a dual focus on analysis and impact, and dynamic relationships with policymakers at every governance level, it has also established itself as a vibrant laboratory for economic policies.

  • Publication
    Razumkov Centre
    (2014-01-01) Razumkov Centre

    Razumkov Centre is a non-governmental think tank founded in 1994. It carries out research of public policy in the following spheres:

    • domestic policy;
    • state administration;
    • economic policy;
    • energy;
    • land relations;
    • foreign policy;
    • social policy;
    • international and regional security;
    • national security and defence.

    Razumkov Centre united experts in the fields of economy, energy, law, political sciences, international relations, military security, land relations, sociology, history and philosophy. The Centre has about 35 full-time employees, and over 100 persons work on contractual basis. The Ukrainian-wide public opinion polls of Razumkov Centre Sociological Service are carried out by over 300 interviewers.

  • Publication
    Analytical Center for the Government of the Russian Federation
    (2015-01-01) Analytical Center for the Government of the Russian Federation

    The Analytical Center for the Government of the Russian Federation is the source of prompt expert views on a wide range of socio-economic development issues of the country.

    The efforts of the Analytical Center are concentrated on providing operational, informational and analytical support; expert support of governmentâ s decisions on major issues of socio-economic development in the areas of finance, transport, industry, utilities, natural resources, environmental protection, education, health, innovation, information technologies, etc. Particular attention is paid to energy, fiscal policy, agriculture and strategic planning, in which the Analytical Center has established itself as a center of expertise.

    The Analytical Center was established in December 2005 and became the successor of the Working Center for Economic Reforms at the Government of the Russian Federation and the Center for Economic Forecasting at the Government of the Russian Federation. These centers were established in the early 1990s to replace the main computer center of the USSR State Planning Committee, which existed from 1959 to 1991.

    The new structure was given the task of making recommendations and proposals on priority issues of economic policy and economic reforms, information-analytical support of the government, examination of concepts and programs for socio-economic development of the country, and short-term forecasting. In accordance with these tasks, the Analytical Center has monitored the implementation of the guidelines and projects of the Government Commission under the President of the Russian Federation on modernization and technological development of the Russian economy since 2008. The center monitors, collects and makes comprehensive analysis of the socio-economic development of the country, with the use of its own information and analytical tools. The center carries out long-term strategic forecasting and analyzes the possible effects of development projects and programs on the development of the country, including the use of international experience.

  • Publication
    Función Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE)
    (2014-01-01) FUNGLODE

    Es una institución privada sin fines de lucro dedicada a:

    a) Formular propuestas innovadoras de naturaleza estratégica y coyuntural sobre temas relevantes para la República Dominicana.

    b) Analizar y establecer la influencia de los fenómenos globales en el desarrollo nacional.

    c) Contribuir a la elaboración de políticas públicas cruciales para la gobernabilidad democrática y el desarrollo sostenible de la República Dominicana.

    d) Fomentar la creación y la promoción de actividades artísticas y culturales.