The 2010 Global Go To Think Tank Rankings Has Been Released!

Association for Liberal Thinking, Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV), and European Stability Initiative from Turkey are in the list.

January 31st, 2011

Ankara, Turkey – Annual “The Global Go To Think Tank Rankings” report of Think Tanks & Civil Societies Program at University of Pennsylvania, which was first launched in 2006 has been released. 2010’s leading organizations from Turkey are Association for Liberal Thinking, TESEV, and European Stability Initiative.  

According to the report, which was prepared by analyzing almost 6500 think tanks from 169 countries, the top think tank in the world is the Brooking Institution from United States. In the ranking of top fifty, think tanks from United States are drawing attention. The report has regional rankings as well. In the list of Top 25 Think Tanks in the Middle East and North Africa, while Carnegie Middle East Center from Lebanon has the first place, TESEV has the 6th, European Stability Initiative has the 12th, and Association for Liberal Thinking has the 13th places. 

In addition, the report has categories of research areas and special achievements. In the ranking of Best External Relations / Public Engagement Program, TESEV has the 25th place.

The report emphasizes that there are almost 6500 think tanks in the world and United States has the biggest number of think tanks which is 1816. China follows United States with 425 think tanks.  The number of think tanks from Turkey which are analyzed for this list is 27.

“Level of development and resources of countries have effect on activities of think tanks.” says the report. Especially, it is emphasized that, there are more organized and institutionalized think tanks in OECD countries. Thus, another notable detail in the report is the very low percentage of the number of think tanks in the Middle East and North Africa. While North America has the biggest number of think tanks with 30 %, Europe’s portion is at 27 %. Middle Eastern and North African regions which cover Turkey as well have only 5 % portion. 

The report’s purposes are to show the role of think tanks in civil society and their effects on governments and decision mechanisms, thus, to contribute to their development of capacity and performance. It emphasizes especially on the increase of number and studies of think tanks in the developing countries in spite of their circumstances. 

For the full report, visit:http://www.gotothinktank.com/wp-content/uploads/2010GlobalGoToReport-ThinkTankIndex-UNEDITION-v13.pdf