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Middle East

Israel Democracy Institute (IDI)

IDI is an independent, non-partisan “Think-and-Do Tank” that devises ways to strengthen the moral and structural foundations of Israeli democracy. While Israel’s policymakers are consumed by crisis management, the Institute sets the nation’s best minds to work on the long-term challenges facing the State in realms such as Political Reform, National Security, Religion and State, and Constitutional Law. Since its establishment in 1991, IDI has supported Israel’s elected officials, civil servants, and opinion leaders in four ways:

  • As a Generator of Ideas: IDI conducts comparative policy research of uncompromising quality on the issues critical to Israel’s democratic future.
  • As a Resource for Policymakers: IDI designs research-based blueprints for reform accompanied by practical implementation strategies.
  • As a Forum for Debate: IDI maintains an open forum for constructive dialogue and consensus-building across society and government.
  • As a Source of Inspiration: IDI acts to promote the values and norms appropriate for Israel as a Jewish and democratic state.

Website: http://www.idi.org.il/sites/english/Pages/homepage.aspx

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The Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV)

The Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV) is an independent non-governmental think-tank, analyzing social, political and economic policy issues facing Turkey. Based in Istanbul, TESEV was founded in 1994 to serve as a bridge between academic research and policy-making process in Turkey. By opening new channels for policy-oriented dialogue and research, TESEV aims to promote the role of civil society in the democratic process and seeks to share its research findings with the widest possible audience. In order to do so, TESEV organizes regular seminars and conferences, bringing together specialists and policymakers from Turkey and abroad to discuss issues of current concern. It releases project reports, books, pamphlets, policy watch briefings and seminar proceedings aimed at general readership.

TESEV focuses on the most urgent and important policy questions facing Turkey and its neighbourhood in the new century. Program areas are grouped under three headings:

  • Democratization
  • Foreign Policy
  • Good Governance

Some of the most remarkable of TESEV’s work have been on the issues of Islam and democracy, combating corruption, state reform, and transparency and accountability. Among the ongoing project areas are security sector reform, minorities and citizenship rights, transparency and strengthening civil society as well as Cyprus, Middle East and North Africa, and Turkey and European Union relations.

Website: http://www.tesev.org.tr/default.asp?PG=ANAEN

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