WHO:           Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program of the International Relations Program at the University of Pennsylvania

                      Diplomatic Courier Magazine and United Nations University

WHAT:         2011 Global Think Tanks Rankings

WHEN & WHERE:  8 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 18, at the National Press Club, First       Amendment Lounge, 529 14th St., NW,  Washington, D.C

                              3:15 p.m. United Nations University, United Nations Main Complex,   Conference Room 3, New York

DETAILS:    Launched in 2006, Penn’s “Global ‘Go-To Think Tank’ Rankings” annual report has become an authoritative source for the top public policy research institutes in the world.  James G. McGann, assistant director of Penn’s International Relations Program, directs the Think Tanks and Civil Society Program at Penn. This year the report focuses on the rise of the G20 countries and the role of think tanks in the Arab Spring and other global trends.

This year’s ranking report is based on a 2011 worldwide survey of more than 1,500 policy makers, scholars, journalists, current and former think-tank executives, public and private donors, intergovernmental agencies and academic institutions. Approximately 5,300 think tanks were nominated for inclusion in 30 category rankings.

The U.N. launch and briefing will be web-streamed live to U.N. offices around the world and to a global audience of IGOs, NGOs and policymakers. The Diplomatic Courier Magazine is featuring this year’s rankings and has created an iPad app for an abridged version of the Global Think Tank Index. 

Additional:

• To RSVP for the Washington briefing: info@diplomaticourier.org. 

• For additional information about the briefing or to arrange interviews:  Kay Floyd at press@diplomaticourier.org.

• To RSVP for the U.N. program: luna@unu.edu.

• For a copy of the rankings: Jacquie Posey at jposey@upenn.edu.

• For more information on the UNU program: Faisal Abulhassan at 212-963-6387 or at unuony@unu.edu