Executive Summary

Given the challenges facing Iraqi think tanks and research centers, the need for a regulatory framework that enhances their independence, ensures their transparency, and increases their influence on decision-making has become urgent and pressing. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive vision on how to develop this sector through a voluntary code of conduct that sets professional and ethical standards governing the work of these centers, while maintaining their scientific and administrative independence.

The paper addresses the challenges facing Iraqi think tanks, as these institutions suffer from weak funding, the absence of a clear legal framework, limited or weak influence on public policies, and political interference. In addition, the culture of scientific research and sound decision-making based on evidence and effectiveness remains limited, making the role of these centers less effective compared to their counterparts in other countries (democratic or non-democratic).

This paper presents a comparison between international models in organizing think tanks, by reviewing experiences in countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, and the United States, where the nature of the relationship between think tanks and governments differs. In the United Kingdom, think tanks are registered as charities subject to the supervision of the Charity Commission to ensure their transparency, while in Germany, some centers are funded by political parties and are subject to strict financial review by regulatory authorities. In Japan, most think tanks are managed with private funding or in partnership with universities, while American centers rely on a combination of private funding and research contracts with the federal or state government.

Based on these experiences, with which I have directly interacted, we propose in this paper, written from the perspective of a practitioner, a flexible framework for institutionalizing Iraqi non-governmental think tanks, so that they are organized within a voluntary code of conduct that allows these centers to operate within clear standards of transparency, independence, and cooperation, without imposing legal restrictions that impede freedom of scientific research. It also calls for the launch of a national fund to support scientific research to ensure the sustainability of funding, in addition to strengthening partnerships between think tanks and the public and private sectors.

The paper also presents a vision for the mechanisms for implementing the code of conduct, where the first phase begins with reviewing and adopting the final version of the code, organizing introductory workshops to ensure that research institutions understand its standards, and then moving to the signing phase by the interested centers. After that, an independent supervisory committee is established to follow up on the implementation of the code, and develops a system to assess the extent of the centers' commitment to it, so that it submits periodic reports reviewing the successes and challenges facing its implementation. In later stages, work is done to expand the adoption of the code, and to ensure the provision of sustainable funding sources, allowing think tanks to operate freely and efficiently without financial or political pressure.

The paper concludes that adopting the code of conduct is not just a regulatory procedure, but an essential and necessary step towards establishing a culture of scientific research and enhancing the confidence of the public and decision-makers in Iraqi think tanks, and the same towards the relationship of research centers with politicians. Through this initiative, these centers can become a major partner in shaping public policies, and contributing to the production of sound research and analysis that helps Iraq face its economic, social, and political challenges.

Based on this, the paper calls on Iraqi think tanks, in addition to the relevant academic and governmental institutions, to engage in a joint discussion on adopting and developing this code, so that it reflects the needs of the Iraqi reality, and ensures a more sustainable future for intellectual research institutions.

Introduction

Strategic think tanks are considered essential elements in the world of politics, where they play a vital role in helping decision-makers better understand the reality in which they live and the complex and interconnected issues they face on a daily or strategic level. In recent years, Iraq has been blessed with the establishment of many non-governmental research, study, and thought centers, which reflects the general trend towards understanding, discussing, and studying important issues in the political, economic, security, and social fields in Iraq and in the regional and international environment. Although this sector is new and in its early stages, these centers have begun to give developmental signals and a useful role, knowing that they include many researchers, academics, former officials, and experts in various and important fields. This humble paper aims to evaluate the centers and study ways to improve, develop, and stabilize them by evaluating their strengths and challenges, as well as proposing the establishment of a voluntary code of conduct for them.

There is no precise and agreed-upon definition of what is called "think tanks," and since this sector is new in Iraq and has not reached the stage of maturity, any non-governmental institution inside Iraq can choose to call itself this description. In general, they can be defined as institutions that seek to influence policies through research, analysis, and providing consultations to decision-makers and those who work in their environments. The non-academic research sector includes a wide range of actors, and is not limited to think tanks only, but also includes other institutions, such as independent research institutes, trade associations, research bodies affiliated with unions or employers' organizations, and even consulting companies and research departments in private companies or non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and others.

In addition to this great diversity of institutions, some actors in this field exploit the absence of clear structures to influence policy-making, without disclosing potential conflicts of interest. For example, a think tank may be established that claims to be independent but serves specific interests of a certain party, without being transparent or independent in its activity, but it may also be the main funder of its activities. In light of the political, economic, and social developments that Iraq is witnessing, the need for an active role for think tanks and research in formulating policies and supporting decision-makers with accurate information and analyses and proposing constructive policies that help society to advance, stabilize, and progress is evident. With the increasing number of these centers and the diversity of their orientations, challenges have emerged related to organizing their work and ensuring their commitment to the ethical and professional standards that enhance their credibility.

The commitment of think tanks to professional principles in their activities contributes significantly to achieving benefit for society, as they play an important role in strengthening democracy by encouraging policy-makers to adopt innovative solutions based on evidence, research, and field investigation. These institutions are able to build bridges between various concerned parties, and provide a platform for dialogue and deliberation based on research and scientific analysis. Non-academic research and providing political consultations can have a significant impact on decision-makers, as it is characterized by flexibility and the ability to respond quickly to challenges, with a specific focus on policies that can be easily integrated into the decision-making process. However, if these institutions act in unethical or unprofessional ways, they may negatively affect democratic development by manipulating, for example, decision-making and public opinion. The importance of the code of conduct, which we propose in this paper to be adopted voluntarily by research and thought centers, includes the impact of these practices on society, and the importance of professional conduct for the think tanks themselves and for the individuals working in them. Personal and collective commitment to professional principles, in addition to the independence and credibility of these centers, are the main factors to ensure their effectiveness, legitimacy, stability, and development.

Given that the main goal of think tanks is to influence policies and democratic decisions, their legitimacy comes from their commitment to ethical principles. In other words, any think tank that does not adhere to those principles lacks democratic legitimacy in its activities and its influence on the decision-making process, and therefore the weak interaction of external and foreign research centers with it, especially with countries with a long history in this sector.

In general, think tanks play multiple roles, as they act as a bridge that connects academic research and policy-making, which facilitates the exchange of knowledge and experiences between the two sides, and provides studies and research that contribute to clarifying the different dimensions of political and social issues, which helps decision-makers to take deliberate and more effective steps. They also have a prominent role in guiding decision-makers, especially in situations that require specialized expertise and speed in making decisions... The paper includes several important axes related to clarifying the differences between academic research institutions and think tanks, the nature of the challenges and opportunities facing non-governmental research centers in Iraq, the precautionary and practical steps required to be taken into account, how to institutionalize and sustain the sector, and finally giving examples of several important countries in which I have personally worked and with which I have worked on how to support this important sector.

Therefore, the need arose to formulate and propose the adoption of a comprehensive code of conduct paper that organizes the work of think tanks and includes the most important outputs in them, which are: "(Draft Foundations of the Code of Conduct) or (Draft Policies of the Code of Conduct Appendix (A) and (B)], to serve as a general reference framework that defines the basic principles that these institutions must adhere to, as well as to regulate the relationship between think tanks and research with each other and ensure their cooperation in a spirit of mutual respect and transparency. This code aims to enhance neutrality, protect the independence of these centers, and ensure their commitment to rigorous scientific research standards in a way that serves the public interest, and lays the foundation for building a research environment and making sound and effective policies based on professionalism and transparency.

Differences Between Academic Research Institutions and Think Tanks

One of the reasons why distinguishing between academic and non-academic research is important is that institutions operating in these different sectors face a completely different market and audience, and thus different incentives. With this goal, the table below was prepared as an attempt to draw the difference between institutions that provide evidence-based analysis and advice (with a special focus on think tanks) and compare them with traditional academic research institutions.

It is natural that the distinction in reality is not so clear, and there may be hybrid forms, such as think tanks located in universities, so the differences should be understood, between the tendency of non-academic research institutions towards one party and the tendency of academic research institutions that tend towards the other party. In both sectors, there will be exceptions to the general structures outlined in the table below, and it is important to emphasize that this is not a classification that distinguishes between professional and unprofessional behavior, but rather an attempt to describe the structural differences between the different actors. In both parts of the presentation, there is a need to adhere to legal requirements and frameworks, such as the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or Iraqi Law No. (3) of 1971, as amended, regarding the protection of copyright.

At times, think tanks face funding crises, as happened during the COVID-19 pandemic and its subsequent political, economic, and social repercussions. Despite the increasing need for advice and analyses from these centers, the situation calls for quick responses to the complex and increasing political challenges in a world characterized by uncertainty.

However, crises may lead to a negative impact on funding directed to think tanks. In times of crisis, supporting these institutions is often seen as an easy target for cutting expenses by private companies and public authorities suffering from financial pressures. This increases the weakness of funding for these centers, making them more vulnerable to the influence of special interests, especially if these interests form the basis of their financial model.

Challenges of Non-Governmental Research Centers in Iraq

Non-governmental research centers in Iraq face a range of institutional, political, and financial challenges that affect their ability to achieve a tangible impact on public policies and support the decision-making process. Below we review the most prominent of these challenges:

• Weak Funding and Financial Sustainability: Most non-governmental research centers rely on individual donations or limited support from donors, making them vulnerable to financial crises. Therefore, the scarcity of funding affects the ability of these centers to attract research competencies, implement long-term projects, and update their research tools.

• Apprehension Between Research Centers and Decision-Makers: There is a trust gap between non-governmental research centers and government institutions, as some officials believe that these centers may be biased towards certain parties or not neutral in their presentation. Therefore, the lack of effective communication with decision-makers reduces the impact of these centers in formulating public policies.

• Political Interference: Many think tanks in Iraq are affected by political tensions, which weakens their credibility and makes them vulnerable to accusations of bias. Therefore, in some cases, these centers are exploited as tools to spread specific political agendas instead of providing objective studies.

• Lack of Research Competencies: Iraq suffers from a brain drain, and this negatively affects the ability of research centers to attract and retain qualified researchers.

• Weak Research Infrastructure: Research centers suffer from a deficit in electronic libraries, databases (especially official and governmental), and modern research tools. Therefore, the weakness of technology and digital infrastructure reduces their ability to produce accurate and up-to-date research.

• Absence of Supportive Legislation: There are no clear laws in Iraq to regulate the work of non-governmental research centers and protect them. Therefore, some centers face administrative and bureaucratic obstacles that hinder their work.

• Weak Awareness of the Importance of Scientific Research: There is a weak appreciation of the importance of research and studies among some government institutions or politicians concerned with political decisions or society in general. Therefore, decision-makers do not rely sufficiently on the outputs of think tanks and research when formulating policies.

• Weak Field Cooperation Between Centers: These centers need to support each other through the cross-fertilization of ideas and collective work in research and investigation among themselves.

Opportunities for Non-Governmental Research Centers in Iraq

Despite the challenges, there are great opportunities for non-governmental research centers to achieve a positive impact on the Iraqi scene. The following are the most prominent available opportunities:

• Increasing Need for Objective Scientific Outputs: With the complexity of the political and economic conditions in Iraq, the need for neutral scientific studies that help in providing sustainable solutions is increasing. Here, research centers can become a major partner for the government and the private sector in providing scientific recommendations for decision-making.

• International Community Support: There is international interest in supporting intellectual institutions in Iraq to promote democracy and stability. Here, international grants can be used and participation in regional and international research networks.

• Cooperation with Universities and Academic Institutions: Iraqi universities can be a strong contributor to research centers in implementing research projects. Here, cooperation with international universities will provide opportunities for training and developing research competencies.

• Growing Role of Civil Society: Civil society in Iraq is witnessing increasing growth, which enhances the importance of research centers as institutions that provide scientific solutions to community issues. Here, research centers can play a vital role in guiding public discussions and raising awareness about issues of human rights, the environment, and economic development.

• Digital Development: Technological development provides opportunities for research centers to improve their performance and increase their reach. Here, the creation of digital platforms to publish research and reports will contribute to enhancing the presence of these centers at the local and international levels.

• Need to Build Peace: Iraq faces challenges in building peace and national reconciliation. Research centers can play a role in providing studies that promote understanding between different parties and propose solutions to conflicts. Here, non-governmental research centers in Iraq face great challenges, but they also have great opportunities for growth and impact. These centers can have a significant impact on supporting public policies, provided they enhance their independence, diversify their sources of funding, and develop their research capabilities.

Support Models in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan

Government support for research and thought centers varies from country to country according to political, economic, and cultural contexts. In this paper, we will compare how governments in Britain, Germany, Japan, and the United States of America support research and thought centers, focusing on forms of financial, legislative, and political support, while highlighting management and sustainability mechanisms for the research centers sector. This includes how these centers are organized and protected.