The East-West Center (EWC), adjacent to the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, has been ranked No. 4 in a University of Pennsylvania’s 2019 list of Best Government Affiliated Think Tanks worldwide, the same ranking the center received in last year’s list.
It is notable that the three institutions ranked higher than EWC are affiliated with large organizations such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and United States Congressional Research Service. In addition, the center ranked ninth in the Best Regional Studies (Free Standing) category.
“We’re very pleased to once again receive this important recognition of the East-West Center’s high-quality research and analysis work, and happy to see that our ranking has held steady among the top five institutions of our kind,” said EWC President Richard R. Vuylsteke. “Many thanks to the survey organizers for putting this valuable list together each year, and hearty congratulations to our many colleagues and partner institutions who were also recognized.”
A panel of experts, convened by the Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program at Pennsylvania’s Lauder Institute, annually ranks policy and issue research organizations based on the following criteria:
- The quality and commitment of the institution’s leadership.
- The quality and reputation of expert staff and the research and analysis they produce.
- Impact on policymakers and society.
- Ability to convene key policy actors and develop effective networks and partnerships.
- News media reputation and the ability to use digital and social media to engage effectively with policymakers, journalists and the public.
- Effective management of institutional resources.
Although the University of Hawaiʻi and East-West Center are separate institutions, they have long been close partners and neighbors.
—From an East-West Center news release
