GFDD and FUNGLODE host discussion on The Role of Think Tanks, Foundations and Philanthropy in Democratic Development

James McGann, Director of the Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program at the University of Pennsylvania, stated that philanthropic foundations help promote the development of a society because "they are a bridge between knowledge and the community." He explained that these institutions have achieved significant acceptance in much of the world due to three factors: democratization, economic liberalization and decentralization.

In leading
the discussion group "The role of think tanks, foundations and philanthropy in democratic development," the expert said that "Think Tanks" represent the organization of civil society of a nation and assured that their main goal is to improve the formulation of policies that strengthen democratic institutions around the world. He also argued that "Think Tanks" are effective as long as their policies respond to a real commitment towards
citizens.

In his dissertation, McGann said that philanthropic foundations have grown in recent years due to changes in the dynamics of the States, globalization, society’s demand for the establishment of legitimacy, the growth of technological changes, and the need to analyze situations of global significance, such as the economic crisis.

The event, held on Thursday, July 7 at the Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE), was attended by the institution’s Executive Director, Marco Herrera, and by Yamile Eusebio and Asunción Sanz, Directors of the Offices of the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) in New York and Washington, DC, respectively.

James G. McGann is a member of the Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) and Director of its foreign policy programs. He is also Deputy
Director of International Relations at the University of Pennsylvania and President of McGann Associates, a program and a consulting firm specializing in the challenges that think tanks, politicians, international organizations and philanthropic institutions face.

The expert has served as consultant and adviser to institutions such as the World Bank (WB), the United Nations (UN), the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Gates Foundation and foreign
governments, on the role of government and public policies, and public engagement organizations in civil society. 
 
James G. McGann CV