The Roles of Think Tanks in Myanmar – Russia Relations

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen,

It is my honour to jointly organized this discussion on Myanmar – Russia: Expanding Opportunities for Education and Science with Myanmar Institute of Strategic and International Studies.

Now, I’d like to discuss about the roles of think tanks in Myanmar – Russia relations.

The bilateral relations with Myanmar and Russian Federation are strong comparing with other countries. Russia had established diplomatic relations with Myanmar at independence and these continued after the fall of the Soviet Union.

Ladies and gentlemen, as you may aware that, there will be 75th Anniversary of Myanmar – Russia diplomatic relations in February next year, 2023.

For nearly 3 decades, the relations between 2 countries are stronger and stronger especially in defence and security sectors. But in very recently, there were chances to cooperate and collaborate in other sectors including space and nuclear energy sectors. The sector both countries need to develop further and wider cooperation is think thanks to think relations, as well academic societies.

In Myanmar, the word “Think Tank” is not familiar to many people.

Think tanks are research institutes that seek to play a key role in making and influencing global, regional and national policy. Whilst each think tank serves a specific purpose, they all share a common vision to improve their respective sectors, as well as being sources of new ideas and research.

Think tanks engage in research and advocacy in a range of areas such as social policy, politics, economics, security, the environment, science and technology, and many more. Think tank researchers influence public opinion and public policy, which is a different focus from traditional academic research at a university. Think tanks also differ from other research organizations such as risk consultancies, pressure groups or voluntary organizations, in a number of ways.

The main output of think tanks is the publication of their research and policy work. At the same time, most organize conferences and seminars, both as part of the research process before publication and after publication to disseminate their work. They may also seek to hold private meetings with government ministers, business people and voluntary organizations involved in the policy making process. Think tank directors and other senior staff members are often considered leading experts in their field and sometimes write pieces for newspapers, political magazines and appear on news and current affairs programs.

The possible range of areas of focus for a think tank is virtually endless because think tanks carry out research that concerns the specific region, community, or issue area(s) for which they operate, be that a continent, country, state, societal group, political party, industry, or theme.

Structured as permanent bodies, in contrast with ad hoc commissions or research panels, think tanks devote a substantial portion of their financial and human resources to commissioning and publishing research and policy analysis in the social sciences: political science, economics, public administration, and international affairs.

Think tanks are needed because public policy isn’t always based on the best evidence or ideas. At their finest, think tanks can improve the quality of government by providing ideas, intellectual resources and spaces for debate. Think tanks can provide a bridge between the world of policy and other voices and help anchor debate in research-based evidence.

Types of Think Tanks

There are many different types of think tanks. Some of the types of think tanks that exist:

1. Autonomous and Independent: Significant independence from any one interest group or donor and autonomous in its operation and funding from government.
2. Quasi Independent: Autonomous from government but an interest group (i.e. unions, religious groups, etc.), donor or contracting agency provides a majority of the funding and has significant influence over operations of the think tank.
3. University Affiliated: A policy research center at a university.
4. Political Party Affiliated: Formally affiliated with a political party.
5. Government Affiliated: A part of the structure of government.
6. Quasi Governmental: Funded exclusively by government grants and contracts but not a part of the formal structure of government.
7. For Profit: Public policy research unit located within a corporation or operating as a freestanding for-profit think tank.

Think Tanks and Diplomacy

Think thanks are increasingly performing diplomatic functions that were traditionally the sole preserve of state officials.

If a key aspect of diplomacy is how your country is seen abroad, official diplomats are not the only actors. These days the perception of a country is more likely to be shaped by factors other than government-to-government relations. These might be impressions gained through media and social media. It might be personal experience through tourism and educational exchange. It could be reactions to a country’s products and businesses. Or perhaps the impact on the senses left by cuisine, film, music and art.

In this changing diplomatic landscape, a range of actors – including think tanks – have a role to play. While official diplomats are still the primary agents, there are others who perform some of the functions of traditional diplomacy both in their activities and methods.

The diplomacy can now be seen less as an institution than a behaviour. Broken down into diplomatic functions, the notion of think tank diplomacy is not impossible. Think tanks can conduct or support at least four diplomatic activities: negotiation, communication with foreign publics, information-gathering and promoting friendly relations.

As think tanks operate more in the diplomatic space, they must continue to explain their work and the value they provide to show their legitimacy as actors in international affairs.

Think tanks act as brokers of policy knowledge, centers of research, and incubators of new ideas. As brokers, they channel knowledge between scholars, policymakers, and civil society. As applied researchers, they convert multidisciplinary theory and empirics into insights and recommendations packaged to inform and meet decision-makers’ needs. As innovators, they expand the policy world’s perspectives and possibilities — for example, showing the power of entrepreneurial solutions. At their best, think tanks provide information that is credible, relevant, and easily understood.

In young democracies and emerging markets, think tanks can play a central role as reform leaders. They catalyze change by raising awareness of key economic issues, initiating discussion, and showing policymakers a way forward. Their expertise and leadership can strengthen and mobilize civil society.

Think tanks play a critical role in analyzing, developing, and promoting policy solutions, particularly in times of extreme disruption and change. However, these organizations now operate in information-flooded and overloaded societies where facts, evidence, and credible research are often ignored — and where “alternative facts” and “fake news” can gain a footing. To remain relevant and impactful, think tanks and policy institutes must simultaneously pursue rigor, innovation, accessibility, and accountability more than ever before.

Every year, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania compile and publish a report listing and ranking the nearly 6,500 think tanks around the globe.

90.5 percent of all think tanks were created after 1951 and today, close to 55 percent of them are in North America and Europe. Broken down by country, the U.S. has the largest number of think tanks by far with 1,872, ahead of China’s 512 and the UK’s 444. India comes fourth with 293 while Germany rounds off the top-five with 225. Think tanks are liked rare gem stones in Myanmar. There are not more than 10 Thank tanks including MISIS and TISS. Both are affiliated with ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconcilliatoon.

I believe think tanks are crucial in Track 2 Diplomacy.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In August this year, I visited Russia Federation and made a series of meetings with think tanks and organizations based in Moscow and St. Petersburg including our friend, Mr. Vitaly Solonetsky, the vice president of the Russia – Myanmar Association for Friendship and Cooperation and The Alexander Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund. By the agreement with The Alexander Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund, we sent our young scholars to Russia for training in journalism and other sectors two times with 3 months. In return, both sides also organized the high level delegation from leading Russian universities and organizations visiting Myanmar. This discussion on Myanmar – Russia: Expanding Opportunities for Education and Science is the part of our week-long program.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As a conclusion, I’d like to thank The Chairman, Senior Advisors, Executive Members and staffs from MISIS, Director General and staff from Strategic Studies and Training Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and our team Thayninga. Last but not the least, I’d like to thank Mr. Vitaly again for arranging such a successful delegation. I believe our relations will grow stronger through think tanks and academic societies in near future.

Thank you!