The Building Think Tank Influence and Effectiveness exchange program (#thinktankasiapacific) will stop in Thailand from February 08-09, 2017 for a forum hosted at the Courtyard Marriott Bangkok, focusing on best practices to create and develop sustainable think tanks and academic centers in the Asia Pacific region. The forum is funded by the U.S. Department of State Office of Citizen Exchanges and organized, with support from the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, by World Learning. World Learning is a U.S.-based NGO working on education, development, and exchanges. Additionally, World Learning has partnered with the Future Innovative Thailand Institute, a policy research center focusing on education, economy, and accountable governance. Background In September 2016, twenty-four fellows from eleven Asia Pacific countries visited the United States for an exchange sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Office of Citizen Exchanges, with the goal of exploring the think tank environment in the United States, and to network with their American counterparts. After an introductory week in Washington D.C., centered on think tank policy and advocacy work, management, and administration, the group of researchers and managers completed individualized fellowships with prestigious American think tanks. The program concluded with discussions on electoral politics in Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio, as well as a workshop at the University of Pennsylvania with renowned think tank expert Dr. James McGann. Before leaving the United States, the fellows identified key areas of interest for their work together that could be discussed in greater depth at the upcoming forum in Bangkok, Thailand, in collaboration with both American and regional experts. These topics include Policy Impact, Research Quality, Monitoring and Evaluation, Communication, Networking, Fundraising, and Advocacy and Coalition Building. Forum Goals The forum will be attended by over 80 young researchers and administrators of think tanks, including the original exchange participants. The forum will also include young professionals from the State Department’s regional YSEALI network who are interested in research and public policy. There will be presentations, panel sessions, and brainstorming workshops to address the previously mentioned key topic areas. The Bangkok forum will also serve to launch a regional network to promote the sustainability and connectivity of related institutions. A closing paper, summarizing the forum’s conclusions and identified tools for think tank development, will be disseminated among media and influencers both in the region and in the United States. Featured Panelists and Speakers Ms. Astri Indiriwati Board Member, Indonesian Development Evaluation Community Jakarta, Indonesia Mr. Joseph Haldane President and CEO, International Academic Forum Nagoya, Japan Mr. Simon Tay Director, Singapore Institute for International Affairs Singapore City, Singapore Ms. Julia Coffman Director, Center for Evaluation Innovation Washington D.C., United States Mr. Brian Eyler Director, Stimson Center Washington D.C., United States Mr. Paul Franz Director for Multimedia, Ideas Lab, Center for Security and International Studies Washington D.C., United States The forum is funded by the U.S. Department of State Office of Citizen Exchanges and organized, with support from the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, by World Learning, a U.S.-based NGO working on education, development, and exchanges and the Future Innovative Thailand Institute, a policy research center focusing on education, economy, and accountable governance. For questions regarding the forum, please contact Mr. Vladimir Spencer at Vladimir.Spencer@worldlearning.org or Ms. Alyssa Suhm at Alyssa.Suhm@worldlearning.org.
Date & Time
From: 09 February 2017, Thursday   To:   09 February 2017, Thursday
Event Information
Venue Name: Courtyard by Marriott
Venue Address: 155/1 Soi Mahadlekluang 1,
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