THE THINK TANK ALLIANCE WAS ESTABLISHED

A group of think tanks in Azerbaijan decided to coordinator activities among themselves. Economic Research Center and partner organizations Center for Economic and Political Studies, Center for Economic and Social Development, Center for assistance Economic initiatives, Balance Public Union, Eco-world Public Union, Human Rights Enlightenment Public Union, Ganja Agrobusiness Association, Caucasian Center for International Relations and Strategic Studies, Intelligent Citizen" Enlightenment Center, Independent Consumers Union, "World of Law" Legal Propaganda Public Union, "Social Problems" center under Dilara Aliyeva Association for the Protection of Women’s Rights, "Uluchay" Social-Economic Innovation Center came together within the framework of “Enhancing the effectiveness of government by strengthening the role of think tanks in decision-making arena” project funded by European Union (EU) and ) in partnership with Policy Association for an Open Society ( PASOS) and “Intelligent Citizen” Enlightenment Center (ICEC) on May 27 in order to establish Azerbaijan Think Tank Alliance ( ATTA). During this meeting, statement and statue of the alliance were adopted. In the statement it is mentioned that the think tanks joined to this Alliance will increase the institutional and research capacities of think tanks, impact circle and participation in decision making process through mobilizing current and perspective resources: “ Our initiative is stemming from the Constitution of Azerbaijan Republic, “ Source of government” ( Article 1), “ Information freedom” ( Article 50), “ Involvement to state governance” ( Article 55) and “ Freedom of Association” ( Article 58)”.

It was also mentioned in the Statement that the aim of establishment of the Alliance is to share experiences by using resources jointly; provide conduction of joint evidence based researches; conduct joint empiric advocacy strategies, increase the role and participation of think tanks in decision making process; assist formulate the effective governance through increasing the quality of product and services of national think tanks; adapt the products and services of think tanks; to study national and international experiences in this field and apply them in Azerbaijan; establish relations with international think tanks and direct resources and information for development of the Alliance.
Alliance will base its activity on the following directions:
• Open to cooperation: collaborate with any state, non-state agencies, media, international NGOs, public figures, scientists, specialists and others;
• Transparency and accountability: will disclose regular reports before the public;
• Integrity: will provide accuracy and validness in its activities and will refer to reliable sources;
• Stay away from political goals: will not be involved to any activity that has political aims;
• Rule of law: Alliance will be engaged to any act that contradicts with law.
The Statue was adopted at the meeting and the first general meeting of the Alliance will be held recently.