SDPI placed in top 100 global think tanks in 2015 index

Islamabad

Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) has been ranked among 100 top think tanks’ global club with its ranking on 15th in the index in Asia and the Pacific and 38th as world’s top trans-disciplinary research think tank and on the similar ranking in Best Quality Assurance and Integrity Policies and Procedures category.

“This is not just an honour for SDPI for being globally recognized for its quality work, SDPI’s high ranking in 12 categories in global think tank index 2015 held high Pakistan’s name. We have been ranked among those 100 top ranked global think tanks that have huge resources, but SDPI with its meager resources and high quality and dedicated staff and guidance by its board reached this level,” said Dr Abid Suleri, executive, while briefing media at his office on Monday.

The 2015 Global Go To Think Tank Index, which was formally released on Sunday and available online at http://repository.upenn.edu/think_tanks/10/ says this ranking is done among 6,486 think tank (TT) globally nominated by eminent experts, policy makers, and public thought leaders. TT and civil society programme of University of Pennsylvania on an annual basis has been doing the ranking since 2008. The report was launched in Washington, DC, (World Bank and Wilson Center), Philadelphia (University of Pennsylvania) and in New York (United Nations).

In the index, SDPI has been ranked 38th as world’s top trans-disciplinary research TT. “Based on our excellence in research policy output during last 24 months, SDPI is placed at 40th position among Think Tank to Watch,” said Dr Abid. SDPI has been placed 65th as world’s top environment policy TT. Leads International (Pakistan) and Observers Research Foundation (India) are placed at 88th and 89th in this category.

In recognition of SDPI’s work on social policy, the institute is placed at 99th position among world’s top social policy TTs.

SDPI secured 62nd position in the ranking of Best Institutional Collaborator TT worldwide. Recognising our ability to use social networks to positively influence the policy, in “Best Use of Social Networks Category”, SDPI is placed 77th.

Out of 6,486 global think tanks, SDPI’s advocacy and policy outreach is ranked 63rd best. SDPI’s Public Engagement Program is ranked 75th best.

“I proudly say that we are placed 38th in Best Quality Assurance and Integrity Policies and Procedures category,” said Dr Abid. Likewise, SDPI is also included in the list of un-ranked category of 144 Best Independent Think Tanks of the World.

In all categories combined together, SDPI is the only TT from Pakistan that could make it to 137 prestigious top think tank worldwide (Non Us). SDPI is ranked 103rd in this category.

Shedding light on the overall growth and relevance of think-tanks, Shafqat Kakakhel, chairman of Board of Governors, SDPI, said outstanding feature of SDPI is its independence and impartiality. SDPI is not under influence of any political party, neither does it take funding from government.