BCSP on a global list of the most prestigious Think Tanks

Recently released publications of the University of Pennsylvania (USA) entitled „2012 Global Go To Think Tanks Report and Policy Advice“, which addressed ranking of Think Tanks from around the world, has included BCSP in the top research centers.

Publication is a result of a eight months of research covering 6,603 Think Tanks and related organizations of civil society in 182 countries around the world. The list is a response of the University of Pennsylvania (Programme for research centers and civil society in the Department of International Relations) at the large number of requests of donors and journalists to make a list of the most eminent national, regional and international think tanks.

Organizations are ranked in relation to the region they belong to, the area of exploring and the specific results achieved. BCSP was ranked 17th on the list of the most prestigious Think Tanks in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as the 64th in the world who deal with security and foreign policy.

In favor to reputation of the organizations that were included in this review are stand the criteria used in assessing significance. Some of these are:

• The link between the organization's efforts in a particular area and the positive changes to which these efforts have contributed;
• Academic and media reputation;
• The utility of of the organization in policy making;
• The ability to create new knowledge and alternative ideas;
• Is the organization a “bridge” between political institutions and civil society;
• Relevance of the research topics, the scope and breadth of the audience that follows the work of the organization, the funds