MEDIA RELEASE
Singapore’s oldest think tank also ranked tops in categories recognising new paradigms and ideas and public engagement
Singapore, 02 February 2016 – For the fourth year running, the Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA) has been ranked among the top Asian think tanks in the 2015 Global Go To Think Tank Index, an annual ranking compiled by the University of Pennsylvania’s Think Tanks and Civil Societies Programme.
In a global ranking of think tanks excluding those in the US, the SIIA came in 1st in Singapore, ranking 52nd globally. The other Singapore think tanks that made it to top 100 are the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS), Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies (IDSS) and Lee Kuan Yew’s School of Public Policy’s Centre on Asia & Globalisation (CAG) and Asia Competitiveness Institute (ACI). Out of South-east Asian think tanks, the SIIA placed second, behind Indonesia’s Centre for Strategic and International Studies.
Topping the list as the Think Tank of the Year 2015 was the Brookings Institution from the US.
Besides maintaining its strong overall position, the SIIA was the only Singaporean think tank to be ranked in the category of Best New Idea or Paradigm Developed by a Think Tank. It was also the top think tank from South-east Asia in this category. In 2015, the SIIA launched its Future 50 report, which mapped out the 50 year future for Singapore in Asia and the World. The Institute also held the second edition of the ground-breaking Singapore Dialogue on Sustainable World Resources, which focused on providing perspectives and discussions on the critical challenges and sustainable solutions for the global resource sector.
The SIIA was also the only Singaporean think tank ranked in categories including Transparency and Good Governance, Transdisciplinary Research, External Relations or Public Engagement Program, and the Use of the Internet.
“Over the last four years, this index has consistently ranked us well and consolidated our standing among global and regional think tanks. What is new this year is to be recognized in new categories that showcase our innovative efforts to reach and be relevant to the wider public discussion as well as corporations,” said Associate Professor Simon Tay, Chairman of the SIIA. “It is encouraging to see our dynamic programs receive high commendations on such an international scale.”
He added: “As part of the ASEAN network and Singapore’s oldest think tank, we are happy to see more and more think tanks from the region growing with us. The appearance of more ASEAN and Singaporean think tanks in this index only goes to show that how societies are maturing to create more room for partnerships to engage in issues that matter.”
In looking at future challenges likely to face Singapore and the region, the SIIA recently launched its Global Citizens Singapore initiative, which aims to broaden awareness of international issues amongst professionals, youth and the public, and help shape actions in response. SIIA Executive Director Nicholas Fang said: “As the world becomes ever more interconnected, the need for citizens to be globally-minded becomes increasingly important. Situated at the crossroads of the East, the SIIA believes it is vital for Singapore to build a new generation of ‘global citizens’.”
Now in its ninth year, the peer-reviewed survey ranks think tanks based on criteria such as the commitment of their leadership, quality and reputation of their staff as well as their research and analysis. A total of 6,846 think tanks were invited to participate in the 2015 rankings, in addition to over 4,750 journalists, policymakers, donors and specialists.
Download Report: 2015 Global Go To Think Tank Index
Image Credit: University of Pennsylvania Think Tanks and Civil Societies Programme
