2017全球智库报告（英文版）_206页_4mb

2017 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report Summary

Core Content

The 2017 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report is a comprehensive analysis of the global think tank landscape, produced by the Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program (TTCSP) at the University of Pennsylvania. The report highlights the role, challenges, and future directions of think tanks in shaping public policy and contributing to civil society.

The TTCSP, led by James G. McGann, is dedicated to enhancing the profile, capacity, and performance of think tanks globally. It maintains the largest database of over 6,500 think tanks and uses a rigorous, transparent process to rank them. The 2017 report is the 11th edition of this annual ranking, reflecting the evolving role of think tanks in the modern policy environment.

Main Points

Think Tanks as Policy Bridges

Think tanks are defined as public-policy research, analysis, and engagement organizations that generate policy-oriented research, enabling decision-makers and the public to make informed choices. They often serve as a bridge between academia and policymakers, as well as between states and civil society.

Think Tank Typology

The report categorizes think tanks based on their affiliation and funding sources, including:

• Autonomous and Independent
• Quasi Independent
• Government Affiliated
• Quasi Governmental
• University Affiliated
• Political Party Affiliated
• Corporate (For Profit)

Global Distribution

• There are 1931 think tanks in North America (with 1835 in the US), and 1770 in Europe.
• 55% of all think tanks are located in North America and Europe.
• 90.5% of think tanks were created since 1951, indicating rapid growth in recent decades.
• The US has more than doubled the number of think tanks since 1980, with 31% created between 1981 and 1990.
• About 25% of US think tanks are in Washington, DC, and over half are university affiliated.
• The rate of think tank establishment has declined in the US and Europe over the last 12 years.

Regional Trends

• Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East have seen significant growth in the number and types of think tanks since the mid-2000s.
• Think tanks in these regions often rely on government funding, as well as international public and private donors.
• There is increasing diversity in think tank models, with more independent, political party affiliated, and corporate think tanks emerging.
• Think tanks are diversifying their funding sources by seeking support from businesses and wealthy individuals.

Key Challenges and Opportunities

Threats to Think Tanks

• The "four mores" describe the critical challenges facing the think tank community:
  • More Issues
  • More Actors
  • More Competition
  • More Conflict
• These challenges lead to:
  • Resource challenges
  • Technological challenges
  • Policy challenges

Strategic Response

• Think tanks must focus on the "four M's" to effectively respond to these challenges:
  • Mission
  • Market
  • Manpower
  • Money

Call to Action

• The report emphasizes the importance of think tanks in addressing global crises, particularly food and water insecurity.
• It highlights the sustainability crisis in Africa, where 30% of think tanks may close or be in crisis, and an additional 25–30% are fragile or failing.
• The TTCSP convened a forum in Washington, DC (November 2017) to identify strategies for improving the capacity and sustainability of African think tanks.

Key Recommendations

• Develop strategic plans for long-term goals and operations.
• Enhance institutional capacity and public engagement.
• Focus on evidence and data, and translate research into multiple languages (e.g., French and English) to increase collaboration and influence.
• Build mutual beneficial partnerships with donors and other think tanks.
• Invest in capacity-building and resource allocation to support think tanks in Africa and other regions.

Conclusion

The 2017 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report underscores the vital role of think tanks in bridging the gap between knowledge and policy. It also highlights the urgent need for sustainability and capacity-building, especially in regions like Africa, where the think tank ecosystem is under significant strain. The report calls for international cooperation, strategic planning, and innovative platforms to enhance the effectiveness and reach of think tanks globally.

Top Think Tanks by Region

North America and Europe

• The US and Canada dominate the think tank landscape in this region.
• Think tanks are often university affiliated or government funded.
• There is a decline in new think tank establishment over the past 12 years.

Asia

• Experiences dramatic growth in think tanks since the mid-2000s.
• Many are government affiliated or supported by international donors.

Latin America

• Also sees growth in think tanks.
• University affiliated and government funded think tanks are prevalent.

Africa

• Sustainability crisis is a major concern.
• Think tanks face insufficient funding, low salaries, and high staff turnover.
• The report highlights the need for strategic planning and capacity-building.

Middle East and North Africa

• Think tanks are growing in number and type.
• They often rely on government and international donor support.

Top Think Tanks by Area of Research

• Food Security Think Tanks include institutions such as:

  • Australian Center for Plant Functional Genomics Pvt. Ltd (ACPFG)
  • The European Food Information Council (EUFIC)
  • The Waste and Resources Action Program (WRAP)
  • The Food Research Institute
  • Center for Budget and Governance Accountability
  • Central Food Technological Research Institute, CSIR
  • International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics
  • Ethiopian Economic Association
  • Institute of Biodiversity Conservation
  • Pastoralist Forum Ethiopia
  • Agricultural Research for Development
  • Agropolis International

• Water Security Think Tanks include:

  • World Water Council
  • Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO)
  • African Centre for Banana and Plantain Research
  • International Center for Tropical Agriculture
  • Centro Agronomico Tropical de Investigacion y Ensenanza (CATIE)
  • Africa Rice
  • Desert Development Center
  • Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
  • Center for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI)
  • Global Open Data for Agriculture and Nutrition (GODAN)
  • John Innes Centre
  • Quadram Institute
  • Rothamsted Research
  • Sustainable Food Trust
  • Wheat Initiative
  • Crop Trust

Top Think Tanks by Special Achievement

• The report identifies key think tanks that have made significant contributions to policy and research, particularly in the areas of food and water security.
• These think tanks are highlighted for their impact, innovation, and capacity-building efforts.
• The report encourages collaboration and international support to strengthen the global think tank network.

Methodology and Timeline

• The report uses a peer nomination and selection process.
• Over 4000 individuals participated in the ranking process.
• Expert panels were used to validate and refine the rankings.
• The process is transparent and open, with corrections and edits made as of January 31, 2018.

Conclusion

The 2017 report serves as an insider's guide to the global think tank landscape and highlights the need for innovation, collaboration, and sustainability. It calls for greater awareness of the challenges facing think tanks, especially in Africa, and encourages international support to ensure their continued relevance and effectiveness.