THINK TANK

Vision of ‘Progress’

‘Progress’ Think Tank – The Vision of ‘Progress’ is an offshoot of ‘Progress’ under its agenda of ‘Meeting Challenges - National and Global’ with the objective of meeting the national and international challenges and concerns through a process of dialogue and debate. It comprises of specialists individuals from all provinces and from all fields and sectors, utilizing the skills of the dialogue and debate, coupling intellect and wisdom with visionary foresight, to assist and provide policy and decision makers with valuable, fresh, research based, correct and unbiased perspectives and options, to anticipate and shape the future in these challenging times and drawing solutions to contemporary problems. It believes in individual liberty, free enterprise, limited government, a strong national defence, democracy and allegiance to the ideology of Pakistan.

In addition it organizes and conducts for government and business leaders a blend of unique and innovative seminars, case studies and scenario workshops on the future state of the world, emerging global strategies, dynamics of globalization and sustainability, and on the critical issues of Inter-Provincial Coordination, Inter-State and global terrorism and the global economic scenario. These Think Tank events are unique in that they draw from a number of resources not available to the government or the general public. ‘Progress’ Think Tank is pleased to share its knowledge with business and government leaders. Its events are of high value, exclusive, with informed networking opportunities. They enable the participants to expand their minds and to look beyond the horizon.

INTRODUCTION

"Greater than the tread of mighty armies is an idea whose time has come. Victor Hugo
Every politician knows that ideas have consequences, so whether it is Beijing, Bangkok, Brussels, Beirut, or Buenos Aires, policy makers seek the advice and counsel of scholars from think tanks who understand this reality and are able to shape policies and politics with their ideas.

In Washington, think tanks are revolving doors filled with experts who go in and out of government; that is why they are called ―governments in waiting. Ronald Reagan sought out his brain trust from the conservative Heritage Foundation while Bill Clinton relied upon scholars from the moderate Brookings Institution. More recently, George W. Bush turned to scholars from the neo con-stocked American Enterprise Institute to help craft his Iraq policy, and Barack Obama tapped John Podesta, president of the left-leaning Center for American Progress, to lead his transition team to the White House.
Think tank wonks do more than churn out endless policy papers. Presidents and Prime Ministers seek them out because they are critical to the global ideas industry. They generate and fine-tune solutions to some of the most complex and vexing issues of the day. Leaders around the world need them to provide independent analysis, help set policy agendas, and bridge the gap between knowledge and power.

There are some 5,550 think tanks worldwide, in nearly 170 countries, endeavoring to help bridge the gap between knowledge and policy in critical policy areas such as international peace and security, globalization and governance, international economics, environment, information and society, poverty alleviation and health. Some organizations specialize in security; others in the environment. Some are intensely partisan; others fiercely independent. Some have budgets in the tens of millions of dollars; others are one-man operations. Some already are changing the world with their big ideas; others merely aspire to provide ideas to help government think and operate smoothly.

In a world saturated with information, connected by the web and challenged by complex issues that often hit like a meteor from outer space, there is a growing need to know where to turn for high quality information and analysis on critical policy issues. Increasingly policy makers and the public are turning to the close to 5,500 public policy research organizations around the world for assistance.

Definition

Think Tanks are a public policy research, analysis, and engagement institution generating policy-oriented research, analysis, and advice on domestic and international issues in an effort to enable policy and decision makers and the public to make informed decisions about public policy issues. They work as an independent organization. They act as a bridge between the academic and the policymaking communities, serving the public interest as an independent voice that translates applied and basic research into a language and form that is understandable, reliable, and accessible for policy / decision makers and the public. They may be structured as permanent bodies, devoting a substantial portion of their financial and human resources to commissioning and publishing research and policy analysis in the social sciences: political science, economics, public administration, and international affairs in the forms of books, monographs, reports, policy briefs, conferences, seminars, formal briefings and informal discussions with policymakers, government officials, and key stakeholders.

BACKGROUND

The world today is highly unsettled and perhaps at a critical point in human history. The challenges and threats poised at the onset of the new millennium are complex and multidimensional. In recognition of the same, organizations and governments are taking preventive and corrective measures. However the dangers still loom at large. No one individual, organization or country can tackle these global concerns all by themselves.

These are challenging times for Pakistan, whereby its peace, security, stability, unity and integrity are all at risk and threat as a consequence of nefarious designs and conspiracies by the enemies of the state. Despite the present democratic government’s taking of measures, to meet these challenges and concerns, formidable and contentious issues remain to be solved and settled. This is a difficult but definitely not an impossible task.

The civil society and the intelligentsia have a crucial role to play in supporting the efforts of the national institutions. ‘Collective Wisdom and Intellect’, can be a formidable force to counter the multifarious and complex challenges that we face today. This can be a source of great strength and support to the national and government leaders, policy and decision makers, while anticipating and shaping the future in these challenging times.

Confronting these challenges and threats is a difficult but definitely not an impossible task. ‘Progress’ Think Tank utilizes the strength of ‘collective wisdom and intellect’ in accomplishing this task. This can be a source of great assistance and support to the national and government leaders, policy and decision makers, while anticipating and shaping the future in these challenging times. 

ABOUT US

‘Progress’ Think Tank is a group of specialists individuals in the fields of foreign affairs, defence, economics, politics, conflict resolution, science and technology, social sciences, business and industry and environment that helps policy makers to anticipate and shape the future in these challenging times. It is a public policy research and educational forum drawing solutions to contemporary problems from ideas, principles and traditions based on the universal values of honesty, transparency, liberty, trust, justice and equity.

Its perspectives on current national and global scenarios are fresh and research based and have the reputation of being correct and unbiased. It believes in individual liberty, free enterprise, limited government, a strong national defence, democracy and allegiance to the ideology of Pakistan.

We want to see Pakistan as a safe, secure and progressive country, with choices (in education, health care and retirement) abound; where taxes are fair, and comprehensible; where everybody has the opportunity to go as far as their talents will take them; where government concentrates on its core functions recognizes its limits and shows favor to none, where law and justice dominates; where minorities, rich and the poor; weak and strong; men and women are treated equally and without any discrimination. We propose policies which assist in accomplishing these things.

‘Progress’ Think Tanks is a creative organization that strives for new ideas and spirited debate.

‘Progress’ Think Tank is based in Karachi, Pakistan with a multi-disciplinary team of in-house researchers and field experts and a panel of international advisors.

OUR MISSION

‘Progress’ Think Tank researchers and analysts shall continue to be on the cutting edge of their fields, working with decision-makers in both the public and private sectors to find solutions to today's difficult, sensitive, and important problems. The high caliber of their research shall be evidenced by the distinguished work force and others affiliated with it, either as employees, consultants, or in an advisory capacity.

Across a broad range of subjects, ‘Progress’ Think Tank research would be characterized by its independence, objectivity, and nonpartisanship; its empirical foundation; its high quality, scientific rigor, and interdisciplinary approach; and its dedication to improving policymaking on the major issues of the day.

OUR OBJECTIVES

The ‘Progress’ Think Tank is a multidisciplinary forum. The primary function of ‘Progress’ Think Tank is to help the leaders and the decision makers in the public and the private sector to understand and make informed choices about issues of domestic and international concerns, in addition to a number of other critical roles, including:

1. Serve as policy / program consultants.
2. Offer Objective and Quantitative Analysis.
3. Produce policy analysis and research.
4. Digest and formulate research into a form that meets the needs of busy bureaucrats, politicians and policy makers.
5. Develop strategies that will improve the performance and effectiveness of the policy makers and the public representatives in policy making for the creation of effective dissemination and utilization of policy-relevant proposals.
6. Promote a constructive dialogue and collaborative research and analysis on policy issues through creating a global and national issue network that build on existing local and regional networks wherever possible.
7. Promote an on-going interdisciplinary national dialogue among think tanks, policy makers and civil society representatives that will explore the critical role that a think tank plays in civil societies and how these institutions can be sustained over time.
8. Playing a mediating function between the government and the public that helps builds trust and confidence in public officials;
9. Serving as an informed and independent voice in policy debates;
10. Identifying, articulating, and evaluating current policy issues, proposals and programs;
11. Transforming ideas and emerging problems into policy issues;
12. Providing a constructive forum for the exchange of ideas and information between key stakeholders in the policy formulation process;
13. Facilitating the construction of “issue networks”;
14. Challenging the conventional wisdom, standard operating procedures and business as usual of bureaucrats and elected officials.

OUR WORK

The fulfilling of these objectives / functions involves a balance between research, analysis and outreach. The range of activities that the ‘Progress’ Think Tank engages in include:

• Publishing Articles
• Framing policy issues
• Policy briefs and monographs
• Researching and writing reports
• Disseminating their research findings 
• Conducting evaluations of government programs
• Conducting various outreach activities (media appearances and speeches)

COLLABORATION

‘Progress’ Think Tank is open to ideas for collaboration from international organizations, governments, foundations and think tanks with similar objectives to form new initiatives at the national and global levels.