'PROGRESS' THINK TANK

The Vision of ‘Progress’

‘Progress’ Think Tank - The Vision of 'Progress': Emerging in wake of major political, economic, social and security challenges, the ‘Progress’ Think Tank is a public policy research, analysis, and educational institution generating policy-oriented research, analysis, and advice on domestic and international issues. It is an offshoot of the Foundation for ‘Progress’ under its agenda of ‘Meeting Challenges - National and Global’.

It is based on the desire to ameliorate the short comings and inadequacies of the public policy making and the governmental decision making processes, and to support and sustain the civil society and the democracy. It is dedicated to the public interest; as an independent, non-partisan organization, committed to excellence in work.

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, employment 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.

The mission of the ‘Progress’ Think Tank is to help improve public policy and decision making through advocacy, research and analysis.

‘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 work 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 work 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.

We work as an independent non-governmental organization. It acts as a bridge between the academia, the government 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. It would endeavor to provide the best information and analysis on emerging global strategies and facilitate contacts between government leaders, business people and analysts that would lead to the development of better public policy on major national and international issues.

‘Progress’ Think Tank is a creative organization striving for new ideas and spirited debate.

We are a multidisciplinary, non-partisan and a progressive organization. Irrespective of philosophical orientation or approach, it recognizes scholarly traditions, a commitment to finding the truth and figuring out what is best for the nation.

Intrinsic to the mission of the ‘Progress’ Think Tank i.e. to help improve policy and decision-making through research and analysis, it shall also be dedicated to the public interest; as an independent, non-partisan organization, committed to excellence in work.

Our commitment to excellence rests upon the credibility and excellence in performance of our staff and associates. In turn, we strive to provide a setting in which our people could be productive and take satisfaction from their contributions, grow professionally, and find camaraderie with their colleagues.

In pursuance of the above, an important part of ‘Progress’ Think Tank setting is a set of institutional principles that provide several formal and informal norms of conduct for the organization and all of its employees and other associates. These are based in part of ‘Progress’ Think Tank’s dedication to the public interest - and the duty of the trust, that goes with it. They also come from other characteristics of the ‘Progress’ Think Tank mentioned above, the expectations of its clients and from the necessities of its legal responsibilities. And, finally, they come from the obligations of its equal and valued members to each other.

• It shall be dedicated to quality and objectivity in our work.
• It shall avoid both the appearance and reality of conflict of interest.
• It shall be committed to integrity, fairness, equal opportunity, and respect in our relationships with one another, our clients, business associates, and the public.

• It shall be a conscientious steward of the financial resources, property, and sensitive information entrusted to it by the government and other sources.
• It shall respect the legal and regulatory obligations that arise from its mission and the setting in which it operate.
• We share responsibility to protect ‘Progress’ Think Tank's name and reputation as a trusted source of high quality, objective, and non-partisan research and analysis.

These principles shall be supported by ‘Progress’ Think Tank's internal policies and procedures. The policies and procedures shall provide practical guidance for many of the ethical and legal/regulatory situations commonly encountered within and by the ‘Progress’ Think Tank, as well as many other subjects.