Development Alternatives, the Delhi-based Social Enterprise has won top standing in eight major categories according to the Global Go To Think Tanks Rankings report issued by the University of Pennsylvania’s International Relations Program
INDIACSR News Network
NEW DELHI: Development Alternatives (DA), the pioneer social enterprise focusing on sustainable development continues to feature among the top think tanks in the world. DA’s proven track record of creating livelihoods, empowering rural communities and regenerating environmental resources at scale has been recognized as a global thought leader in eight major categories.
The annual listing results from a comprehensive study by the University of Pennsylvania of the output, impact and influence of more than 6,600 pre-eminent think tanks from every region of the world. It ranks think tanks around the world through an intensive process of nominations, and expert and peer institution feedback from 1,900 scholars, journalists and, policy makers spread over 120 countries. It is widely known as the ‘insider’s guide to the global marketplace of ideas.’ It was launched this year at the World Bank in Washington, DC.
Dr. Ashok Khosla, Chairman of Development Alternatives said “it is, of course, gratifying for an organization like ours to see its intellectual contributions noticed in the larger global arena. But let no one ever forget that it is the efforts we and our partners make in translating these into local action on the ground that will ultimately be what counts.”
DA was ranked 17th in the world under the category Think Tanks with the Most Innovative Policy Ideas/Proposals and 57th under Think Tanks with Outstanding Policy-Oriented Research Programs.
Under Transparency and Good Governance Think Tanks, it was ranked 21st; under the world’s Top 70 Environment Think Tanks, it was ranked 42nd; and it rated 45th under Think Tanks with the Best External Relations/Public Engagement Program.
DA’s overall ranking in the Top 150 Think Tanks – Worldwide (US and Non-US) was 141 and it was among the Top Think Tanks in Asia for 2012. It was 27th among the Think Tanks in China, India, Japan, and the Republic of Korea.
This year’s survey included some 269 think tanks based in India. DA’s overall leadership role, nationally and globally, results largely from its multi-sector, multi-disciplinary approach, spanning research and analysis, technology and institutional design, policy influence, and action on the ground to, empower communities, create livelihoods and revive the natural resource base.
Think Tanks: Think Tanks are knowledge-based, policy-oriented (and usually independent) institutions which serve governments, intergovernmental organizations, and civil society. They generate policy-oriented research, analysis, and advice on domestic and international issues and engage policymakers on key policy issues. Think tanks serve as bridges between knowledge and policy communities and between policymakers and the public.
The Think Tank rankings are based on several indicators of resource utilization, outputs and impact. They are widely used by international agencies, governments and corporations to idenfity sources of high quality independent advice or analytical services. The rankings were initiated in 2006, and DA has consistently featured among the highest ranked centres of excellence globally.
Development Alternatives: Headquartered in New Delhi, Development Alternatives (DA) is a pioneer in sustainable development and was one of the first social enterprises in the world. It has built up a global presence in economic development, social empowerment and environment management. DA fulfills its mission to end poverty and regenerate the resource base by creating economic opportunities for communities and local enterprises to generate sustainable livelihoods and basic needs products. It achieves this by innovating and delivering technology-based, market-oriented solutions through a group of not-for-profit organizations and for-profit companies.
The Development Alternatives Group comprises the flagship entity Development Alternatives, a not-for-profit carrying out research and field activities and TARA (Technology and Action for Rural Advancement), which incubates and implements green businesses and technical support services through its subsidiaries, which include DESI Power, TARA Machines and TARA Enviro and TARAhaat, all of which are registered companies.
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