In light of the challenges faced by Iraqi think tanks and research centers, there has become an urgent and pressing need for an organizational framework that contributes to enhancing their independence, ensuring their transparency, and increasing their influence in decision-making processes. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive vision on how to develop this sector through a voluntary code of conduct that establishes professional and ethical standards governing the work of these centers, while maintaining their scientific and administrative independence.

The paper addresses the challenges faced by Iraqi think tanks, which suffer from weak funding, a lack of a clear legal framework, limited or weak influence on public policies, and political interference. Additionally, the culture of scientific research and evidence-based decision-making remains limited, making the role of these centers less effective compared to their counterparts in other countries, whether democratic or non-democratic.

This paper offers a comparison between international models for organizing think tanks by reviewing experiences in countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, and the United States, where the relationship between think tanks and governments differs. In the United Kingdom, think tanks are registered as charitable organizations and are overseen by the Charity Commission to ensure transparency. In Germany, some think tanks are funded by political parties and undergo strict financial audits by regulatory bodies. In Japan, most think tanks are managed with private funding or in partnership with universities, while American think tanks rely on a mix of private funding and research contracts with the federal or state governments.

Based on these experiences, with which the author has directly interacted, this paper, written from the perspective of a practitioner, proposes a flexible framework for institutionalizing Iraqi independent think tanks, wherein they are organized under a voluntary code of conduct that allows them to operate within clear standards of transparency, independence, and collaboration, without imposing legal constraints that hinder scientific research freedom. The paper also calls for the establishment of a national fund to support scientific research to ensure sustainable funding, alongside strengthening partnerships between think tanks and both the public and private sectors.

The paper also envisions mechanisms for implementing the code of conduct, starting with a review and approval of the final version of the code, followed by organizing introductory workshops to ensure that research institutions understand its standards. The next phase involves having the interested centers sign the code. Afterward, an independent oversight committee would be established to monitor the implementation of the code, and a system would be put in place to evaluate centers' compliance, providing periodic reports that review successes and challenges in its implementation. In the later stages, the aim would be to expand the adoption of the code and ensure the provision of sustainable funding sources, allowing think tanks to operate freely and efficiently without financial or political pressures.

The paper concludes that adopting the code of conduct is not just an organizational measure, but a crucial and necessary step toward establishing a culture of scientific research and enhancing public and decision-maker trust in Iraqi think tanks. The same applies to the relationship between research centers and politicians. Through this initiative, these centers can become key partners in shaping public policies and contributing to the production of rigorous research and analysis that helps Iraq face its economic, social, and political challenges.

Therefore, the paper calls on Iraqi think tanks, in addition to academic bodies and relevant government institutions, to engage in a joint discussion on adopting and developing this code to reflect the needs of the Iraqi reality and ensure a more sustainable future for intellectual research institutions.

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