Institute of Public Affairs, Poland
Encyclopedia
Institute of Public Affairs (IPA, Instytut Spraw Publicznych) is an independent, non-partisan public policy
think tank
in Poland
. The IPA was established in 1995 to support modernization reforms and to provide a forum for informed debate on social and political issues. It is a Public Benefit Organization
as defined by Polish law.
Previously, professor Lena Kolarska-Bobińska
served as president of the Executive Board & Director of the Institute 1997-2009.
was awarded a special prize and the title of “The Institution of the Year 2001” by the Pro Publico Bono Foundation.
Wide international echo was gathered by the two IPA’s publications: “The second wave of Polish reforms” and “Four Reforms - from the concept to the realisation”. In the special survey about Poland in “The Economist
” these two were mentioned as one of three major sources of information (in addition to OECD reports and Prof. Norman Davies’
book).
IPA was one of the most active non-government organization in preparations to the accessing referendum and the referendum campaign. It’s concept of two days voting made possible to achieve the constitutional 50% voter turnout
.
IPA has prepared reform proposals for the key areas in society and politics. The Institute has a network of associates, which consists of scholars from different academic institutions as well as numerous social and political actors.
The IPA publishes the results of its activities in the form of books and policy papers. It also organizes seminars, conferences and lectures. Its publications are distributed to members of parliament, government officials, the media and non-governmental organizations.
, EuroMeSCo network, NDRI and Abroad Group.
Public policy
Public policy as government action is generally the principled guide to action taken by the administrative or executive branches of the state with regard to a class of issues in a manner consistent with law and institutional customs. In general, the foundation is the pertinent national and...
think tank
Think tank
A think tank is an organization that conducts research and engages in advocacy in areas such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, and technology issues. Most think tanks are non-profit organizations, which some countries such as the United States and Canada provide with tax...
in Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
. The IPA was established in 1995 to support modernization reforms and to provide a forum for informed debate on social and political issues. It is a Public Benefit Organization
Public benefit organization
Public benefit organization is a term used in Polish law introduced on 1 January 2004 by the statute on public good activity and volunteering. Organizations of public good are allowed to receive 1% of income tax from individuals, so they are tax deductible organizations...
as defined by Polish law.
Authorities
Dr Jacek Kucharczyk is the President of the IPA Executive Board since 2009; previously he was the Institute's Director for ProgrammingPreviously, professor Lena Kolarska-Bobińska
Lena Kolarska-Bobinska
Professor Lena Barbara Kolarska-Bobińska is a Member of the European Parliament from Poland representing the Lublin region from the Civic Platform Party list. She is a graduate of the Sociology Department of the University of Warsaw, as well as a post-doctoral fellow at Stanford University and...
served as president of the Executive Board & Director of the Institute 1997-2009.
Achievements
In November 2001 the Institute of Public AffairsInstitute of Public Affairs
The Institute of Public Affairs is a public policy think tank based in Melbourne, Australia. It advocates free market economic policies such as privatisation and deregulation of state-owned enterprises, trade liberalisation and deregulated workplaces, climate change skepticism , and the...
was awarded a special prize and the title of “The Institution of the Year 2001” by the Pro Publico Bono Foundation.
Wide international echo was gathered by the two IPA’s publications: “The second wave of Polish reforms” and “Four Reforms - from the concept to the realisation”. In the special survey about Poland in “The Economist
The Economist
The Economist is an English-language weekly news and international affairs publication owned by The Economist Newspaper Ltd. and edited in offices in the City of Westminster, London, England. Continuous publication began under founder James Wilson in September 1843...
” these two were mentioned as one of three major sources of information (in addition to OECD reports and Prof. Norman Davies’
Norman Davies
Professor Ivor Norman Richard Davies FBA, FRHistS is a leading English historian of Welsh descent, noted for his publications on the history of Europe, Poland, and the United Kingdom.- Academic career :...
book).
IPA was one of the most active non-government organization in preparations to the accessing referendum and the referendum campaign. It’s concept of two days voting made possible to achieve the constitutional 50% voter turnout
Voter turnout
Voter turnout is the percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot in an election . After increasing for many decades, there has been a trend of decreasing voter turnout in most established democracies since the 1960s...
.
Activity
The Institute of Public Affairs conducts research as well as societal analysis and presents policy recommendations.IPA has prepared reform proposals for the key areas in society and politics. The Institute has a network of associates, which consists of scholars from different academic institutions as well as numerous social and political actors.
The IPA publishes the results of its activities in the form of books and policy papers. It also organizes seminars, conferences and lectures. Its publications are distributed to members of parliament, government officials, the media and non-governmental organizations.
Aims
The Institute of Public Affairs aims to:- implement projects significant for the public domain
- initiate public debates
- identify potential threats to the social fabric and anticipate future problems
- offer new ideas for policies aimed at solving existing and future problems
- act as a bridge between academia, the world of politics, the media and NGOs
More
Institute of Public Affairs is a member of many structures uniting non-government organizations e.g. PASOS, EPINEPIN
European Policy Institutes Network is a network of 31 think tanks from most EU member states and beyond. Its main focus is on current EU and European political and policy debates. EPIN aims to contribute to the debate on the future of Europe through up to the minute, expert analysis and commentary...
, EuroMeSCo network, NDRI and Abroad Group.