2014 Global Think Tank Report	Print Issue
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The Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program at the University of Pennsylvania released its 2014 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report, the most comprehensive ranking of the world’s top think tanks. Simultaneous launch events were held by 77 organizations in 59 cities in 49 countries worldwide. The report will be translated into more than 20 languages; see http://gotothinktank.com/

The Brookings Institution ranked first on the Global Think Tank list for the top think tank worldwide for the seventh consecutive year.

As the premier database and measure of world think tanks, the Go To Index aims to increase the profile, performance and impact of think tanks, and to create a transnational and interdisciplinary network of centers of public policy excellence. 

“In a world filled with tweets and sound bites that are often superficial and politically charged,” said James McGann, director of the program, “it is critical to know where to turn for sound policy proposals that address our complex policy issues. This independent Index is designed to help identify and recognize the leading centers of excellence in public policy research around the world.”

The launch of theGo To Index in Washington, DC, was hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies. A discussion was held about the challenges and opportunities for defense policy think tanks in the coming year. A session in New York at the United Nations focused on the connections between inter-governmental organizations and think tanks. The Go To Index was also distributed through a network of global partners, giving institutions a chance to highlight the crucial role they play in building and maintaining civil society in their countries and regions.

The report, compiled with assistance from more than 1,500 peer institutions and experts from print and electronic media, academia, public and private donor institutions and governments around the world, ranks the top 150 global think tanks across four categories: World, Region, Area of Research, and Special Achievement.

This year’s report also includes new Global Health and Domestic Health categories as well as a Global Trends feature, a detailed analysis of the biggest developments and challenges that think tanks have faced and will continue to face.

Penn’s Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program at the International Relations Program—established in 1989—maintains a database and network of more than 6,600 think tanks in 152 countries.