A PROJECT OF THE NETWORK OF DEMOCRACY RESEARCH INSTITUTES (NDRI)
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DOWNLOAD THE COMPLETE REPORT ::PDF
PROJECT SUMMARY
Think tanks in democratic societies play a vital role in generating policy research, promoting ideas, and fostering discussion between the public and policymakers. However, in young and emerging democracies, think tanks face a number of obstacles that make policy reform difficult.
Where the essential supporting institutions of political accountability, media pluralism, and civil society have not grown deep roots, policy decisions are made without broad consultation, public mobilization to support policy agendas is rare, and the goals of democratic reform are often at odds with the short-term interests of political incumbents.
Despite these challenges, think tanks in emerging democracies that focus on democratic policy research are innovating and taking action to improve democratic governance in their own countries. Improving the quality of policy discussions in the public sphere is a critical need in all democracies, and effective instruments for encouraging reform, such as policy research, are particularly in demand in young and aspiring democracies around the world. In this context, democracy think tanks and research institutes can play an important role in the pursuit of accountable and responsive governance.
Download Individual Chapters
ABOUT THE REPORT
To identify ways that leading democracy think tanks successfully impact policy decisions in their own countries, the Forum invited nine members of the Network of Democracy Research Institutes (NDRI) to contribute essays analyzing their own efforts to achieve influence and reform policy in young democracies or in semi-democratic countries.
“Democracy Think Tanks in Action: Translating Research into Policy in Young and Emerging Democracies” combines these nine case studies and is prefaced by an overview essay written by Christopher Walker. The report can be downloaded in its entirety or by individual chapter.
This project was made possible through generous support from the Korea Foundation and the dedicated efforts of the NDRI think tanks who participated in this project.
MEETINGS
JUNE 3, 2013
Panel Discussion
Democracy Think Tanks in Action: Translating Research into Policy in Young and Emerging Democracies
Speakers:
- Sami Atallah, Lebanon Center for Policy Studies
- Orazio Bellettini, Grupo FARO, Ecuador
Commentators:
- Maksim Karliuk, Belarusian Institute of Strategic Studies
- Sally Roshdy, One World Foundation, Egypt
Moderator: Christopher Walker, International Forum for Democratic Studies
Co-sponsored by the Latin America and Caribbean and Middle East/North Africa Programs at the National Endowment for Democracy, the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) and Atlas Corps.
About this event ::MORE
OCTOBER 16, 2012
Network of Democracy Research Institutes Workshop
“Enhancing the Policy Impact of Research”
Presenters:
- Gabriel Salvia, Center for Opening and Development in Latin America (CADAL), Argentina
- Martin Butora, Institute for Public Affairs (IVO), Slovakia
- Tanya Hamada, INCITEGov, Philippines
Moderators:
- Marc F. Plattner, International Forum for Democratic Studies
- Christopher Walker, International Forum for Democratic Studies
This workshop was organized as part of the World Movement for Democracy’s Seventh Global Assembly, held in Lima, Peru during October 14–17, 2012.
