Difference between revisions of "Stockholm Network"
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| − | The '''Stockholm Network''' is a working group of | + | The '''Stockholm Network''' is a working group of more than 120 market-oriented think tanks from across Europe. It calls itself "a one-stop shop for organisations seeking to work with Europe’s brightest policymakers and thinkers" and claims to have "the capacity to deliver local messages and locally-tailored global messages across the EU and beyond."<ref>Stockholm Network. [http://www.stockholm-network.org/About-Us/FAQs Stockholm Network: FAQs] Accessed 9 April 2010.</ref> The network churns out thousands of op-eds in the "high-quality European press", produces hundreds of publications and holds several conferences, seminars and meetings to "influence many millions of Europeans every year." <ref>Stockholm Network. [http://www.stockholm-network.org/About-Us Stockholm Network: About Us] Accessed 9 April 2010.</ref> |
| − | + | Writing in ''The Times'' in December 2005, [[Paul Staines]] wrote that the Stockholm Network, "turns out to be in fact the public face of [[Market House International]], a PR consultancy that tells corporate clients that the network gives it 'local capacity to deliver both local messages and locally tailored global messages in a wide range of countries'." <ref>Paul Staines, [http://www.spinwatch.org/component/content/article/175-international-politics/2267-you-want-policy-in-cash You want policy? In cash?]', ''The Times'' (London), 20 December 2005, Page 19.</ref> | |
| − | + | ==Aims and Policy Issues== | |
| − | + | ||
| + | The Network is a described as a forum for "sharing, exchanging and developing pan-European research and best practice." In order to promote ideas to stimulate economic growth, the Stockholm Network concentrates on the following policy issues: | ||
| + | |||
| + | *Reforming European welfare states and creating a more flexible labour market | ||
| + | *Updating European pension systems to empower individuals | ||
| + | *Ensuring more consumer-driven healthcare, through reform of European health systems and markets | ||
| + | *Encouraging an informed debate on intellectual property rights as an incentive to innovate and develop new knowledge in the future, whilst ensuring wide public access to such products in the present | ||
| + | *Reforming European energy markets to ensure the most beneficial balance between economic growth and environmental quality | ||
| + | *Emphasising the benefits of globalisation, trade and competition and creating an understanding of free market ideas and institutions<ref>Stockholm Network [http://www.stockholm-network.org/About-Us/Policy-Issues Stockholm Network: Policy Issues] Accessed 9 April 2010.</ref> | ||
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| + | ==History== | ||
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| + | The Stockholm Network was founded in September 1997 by [[Helen Disney]], <ref>Stockholm Network. [http://www.stockholm-network.org/About-Us/FAQs Stockholm Network: FAQs] Accessed 9 April 2010.</ref> a British journalist and policy specialist, and initially managed by the Swedish think tank, [[Timbro]]. It later became part of [[Civitas]], which was formerly known as the [[Health and Welfare Unit of the Institute for Economic Affairs]]. It has been independently run since 2004. <ref>Corporate Europe Observatory. [http://archive.corporateeurope.org/stockholmnetwork.html Covert industry funding fuels the expansion of radical rightwing EU think tanks] Accessed 9 April 2010.</ref> Early aims (which extend to present day) were: | ||
| + | |||
| + | ::"to find an efficient method of connecting like-minded policymakers and thinkers; to encourage collaboration on joint research projects in order to share the most successful policy innovations and arguments more widely; and to ensure a wider audience and a more co-ordinated approach to the dissemination of market-oriented ideas within Europe and beyond its borders."<ref>Stockholm Network. [http://www.stockholm-network.org/About-Us/FAQs Stockholm Network: FAQs] Accessed 9 April 2010.</ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Funding== | ||
| + | |||
| + | According to its website, the Stockholm Network receives funding from a variety of individuals, corporations, trade associations and foundations: | ||
| + | |||
| + | :’A mixture of for-profit and not-for-profit organisations, some SN supporters are large global enterprises, while others are small or medium in size. Subscriptions from individuals, commercial enterprises, and a range of NGOs make up the bulk of our funding. We also derive a small income from the sale of our publications and research materials to the public, bookshops, government agencies and private companies. Corporate subscribers come from a wide range of sectors that currently include information technology, energy, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, entertainment, public affairs, and insurers.’<ref>Stockholm Network. [http://www.stockholm-network.org/About-Us/FAQs Stockholm Network: FAQs] Accessed 9 April 2010.</ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | Funders, however, ‘do not have a veto over the outcome of Stockholm Network research or any influence over its media output.’ The network maintains that it does not accept payments intended to ‘purchase’ prearranged research outcomes. It also insists it is not a ‘front group’ for other organisations or individuals and that contributors are listed in full on its annual report and website. <ref>Stockholm Network. [http://www.stockholm-network.org/About-Us/FAQs Stockholm Network: FAQs] Accessed 9 April 2010.</ref> | ||
==The British connection== | ==The British connection== | ||
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[[Adam Smith Institute]] | [[Centre for European Reform]] | [[Centre for Policy Studies]] | [[Centre for Research into Post-Communist Economies]] | [[CIVITAS]] | [[David Hume Institute]] | [[E.G. West Centre]] | [[Hayek Society]] | [[Institute of Economic Affairs]] | [[International Policy Network]] | [[Libertarian Alliance]] | [[Nurses for Reform]] | [[Open Europe]] | [[Policy Exchange]] | [[Policy Institute]] | [[Politeia]] | [[Project Empowerment]] | [[Reform]] | [[Social Affairs Unit]] | [[Globalization Institute]] | [[Adam Smith Institute]] | [[Centre for European Reform]] | [[Centre for Policy Studies]] | [[Centre for Research into Post-Communist Economies]] | [[CIVITAS]] | [[David Hume Institute]] | [[E.G. West Centre]] | [[Hayek Society]] | [[Institute of Economic Affairs]] | [[International Policy Network]] | [[Libertarian Alliance]] | [[Nurses for Reform]] | [[Open Europe]] | [[Policy Exchange]] | [[Policy Institute]] | [[Politeia]] | [[Project Empowerment]] | [[Reform]] | [[Social Affairs Unit]] | [[Globalization Institute]] | ||
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== Members == | == Members == | ||
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===External links=== | ===External links=== | ||
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| + | *Wikipedia [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockholm_Network Stockholm Network] | ||
| + | *SourceWatch [http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Stockholm_Network Stockholm Network on SourceWatch] | ||
*Corporate Europe Observatory, "[http://www.corporateeurope.org/stockholmnetwork.html Covert industry funding fuels the expansion of radical rightwing EU think tanks]", July 2005. | *Corporate Europe Observatory, "[http://www.corporateeurope.org/stockholmnetwork.html Covert industry funding fuels the expansion of radical rightwing EU think tanks]", July 2005. | ||
*Paul Staines, "[http://www.spinwatch.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=2064 You want policy? In cash?]", ''The Times'' (London), 20 December 2005, Page 19. | *Paul Staines, "[http://www.spinwatch.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=2064 You want policy? In cash?]", ''The Times'' (London), 20 December 2005, Page 19. | ||
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*[[Helen Disney]], [[Karen Horn]], [[Pavel Hrobon]], [[Johan Hjertqvist]], [[Alastair Kilmarnock]], [[Andreas Mihm]], [[Alberto Mingardi]], [[Cécile Philippe]], [[David Smith]], [[Eline van den Broek]], [[Gerrold Verhoeks]] [http://www.healthpowerhouse.com/files/Impatient%20for%20change.pdf Impatient for Change: European attitudes to healthcare reform] 13 May 2004. | *[[Helen Disney]], [[Karen Horn]], [[Pavel Hrobon]], [[Johan Hjertqvist]], [[Alastair Kilmarnock]], [[Andreas Mihm]], [[Alberto Mingardi]], [[Cécile Philippe]], [[David Smith]], [[Eline van den Broek]], [[Gerrold Verhoeks]] [http://www.healthpowerhouse.com/files/Impatient%20for%20change.pdf Impatient for Change: European attitudes to healthcare reform] 13 May 2004. | ||
Revision as of 14:42, 9 April 2010
The Stockholm Network is a working group of more than 120 market-oriented think tanks from across Europe. It calls itself "a one-stop shop for organisations seeking to work with Europe’s brightest policymakers and thinkers" and claims to have "the capacity to deliver local messages and locally-tailored global messages across the EU and beyond."[1] The network churns out thousands of op-eds in the "high-quality European press", produces hundreds of publications and holds several conferences, seminars and meetings to "influence many millions of Europeans every year." [2]
Writing in The Times in December 2005, Paul Staines wrote that the Stockholm Network, "turns out to be in fact the public face of Market House International, a PR consultancy that tells corporate clients that the network gives it 'local capacity to deliver both local messages and locally tailored global messages in a wide range of countries'." [3]
Contents
Aims and Policy Issues
The Network is a described as a forum for "sharing, exchanging and developing pan-European research and best practice." In order to promote ideas to stimulate economic growth, the Stockholm Network concentrates on the following policy issues:
- Reforming European welfare states and creating a more flexible labour market
- Updating European pension systems to empower individuals
- Ensuring more consumer-driven healthcare, through reform of European health systems and markets
- Encouraging an informed debate on intellectual property rights as an incentive to innovate and develop new knowledge in the future, whilst ensuring wide public access to such products in the present
- Reforming European energy markets to ensure the most beneficial balance between economic growth and environmental quality
- Emphasising the benefits of globalisation, trade and competition and creating an understanding of free market ideas and institutions[4]
History
The Stockholm Network was founded in September 1997 by Helen Disney, [5] a British journalist and policy specialist, and initially managed by the Swedish think tank, Timbro. It later became part of Civitas, which was formerly known as the Health and Welfare Unit of the Institute for Economic Affairs. It has been independently run since 2004. [6] Early aims (which extend to present day) were:
- "to find an efficient method of connecting like-minded policymakers and thinkers; to encourage collaboration on joint research projects in order to share the most successful policy innovations and arguments more widely; and to ensure a wider audience and a more co-ordinated approach to the dissemination of market-oriented ideas within Europe and beyond its borders."[7]
Funding
According to its website, the Stockholm Network receives funding from a variety of individuals, corporations, trade associations and foundations:
- ’A mixture of for-profit and not-for-profit organisations, some SN supporters are large global enterprises, while others are small or medium in size. Subscriptions from individuals, commercial enterprises, and a range of NGOs make up the bulk of our funding. We also derive a small income from the sale of our publications and research materials to the public, bookshops, government agencies and private companies. Corporate subscribers come from a wide range of sectors that currently include information technology, energy, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, entertainment, public affairs, and insurers.’[8]
Funders, however, ‘do not have a veto over the outcome of Stockholm Network research or any influence over its media output.’ The network maintains that it does not accept payments intended to ‘purchase’ prearranged research outcomes. It also insists it is not a ‘front group’ for other organisations or individuals and that contributors are listed in full on its annual report and website. [9]
The British connection
The network was founded in London and Stockholm, though it is operated out of London and has a large contingent of UK members. These are:
Adam Smith Institute | Centre for European Reform | Centre for Policy Studies | Centre for Research into Post-Communist Economies | CIVITAS | David Hume Institute | E.G. West Centre | Hayek Society | Institute of Economic Affairs | International Policy Network | Libertarian Alliance | Nurses for Reform | Open Europe | Policy Exchange | Policy Institute | Politeia | Project Empowerment | Reform | Social Affairs Unit | Globalization Institute
Members
- Adam Smith Institute, UK | Adam Smith Society, Italy | Adriatic Institute for Public Policy | Albanian Liberal Institute, Albania | Anders Chydenius Foundation, Finland | Association for Liberal Thinking, Turkey | Association for Modern Economy, Macedonia | Avenir Suisse, Switzerland | Bertil Ohlin Institute, Sweden | Bulgaria Society for Individual Liberty, Bulgaria | Causa Liberal, Portugal | Centre for Democracy and Free Enterprise, Czech Republic | Centre for Economic Development, Bulgaria | Centre for Economic Development, Slovakia | Centre for Economics and Politics, Czech Republic | Centre for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development, Montenegro | Centre for European Reform, UK | Centre for Institutional Analysis and Development | Centre for Liberal Strategies, Bulgaria | Centre for Liberal-Democratic Studies, Serbia | Centre for Policy Studies, UK | Centre for Political Thought, Poland | Centre for Research into Post-Communist Economies, UK | Centre for Social and Economic Research, Poland | Centre for the New Europe | Centre for the Study of Democracy, Bulgaria | Centro Einaudi, Italy | Cercles Liberaux, France | CIDAS, Italy | Civic Institute, Czech Republic | Civita, Norway | CIVITAS, United Kingdom | Conservative Institute of M. R. Stefanik, Slovakia | Council on Public Policy, Germany | David Hume Institute, United Kingdom | E.G. West Centre, UK | Economic Policy Research Institute, Macedonia | Ekome, Greece | Eudoxa, Sweden | Euro 92 (think tank), France | European Ideas Network, Brussels | European Independent Institute, The Netherlands | EVA (think tank), Finland | F. A. v. Hayek Institute, Austria | Fondazione Luigi Einaudi, Italy | Foundation for Market Economy, Hungary | Frédéric Bastiat Stichting, The Netherlands | Free Market Centre, Serbia | Freedom Institute, Ireland | Friedrich Naumann Stiftung, Germany | Friedrich von Hayek Gesellschaft, Germany | Fundacio Catalunya Oberta, Spain | Fundacion Internacional para la Libertad (FIL), Spain | Gdansk Institute for Market Economics, Poland | Hayek Foundation, Russia | Hayek Foundation, Slovakia | Hayek Society, Hungary | Hayek Society, LSE, London | Health Consumer Powerhouse, Belgium | Health Reform, Czech Republic | Hellenic Leadership Institute | IFRAP, France | Independent Institute of Socio-Economic and Political Studies, Belarus | INEKO, Slovakia | Institut Constant de Rebecque, Switzerland | Institut Economique Molinari, Belgium | Institut Hayek, Belgium | Institut Karla Havlicka Borovskeho, Czech Republic | Institut Montaigne, France | Institut Turgot, France | Institute for Economic Studies Europe, Aix-en-Provence | Institute for Free Enterprise, Germany | Institute for Free Society, Slovakia | Institute for International Relations, Croatia | Institute for Market Economics (IME), Bulgaria | Institute for Strategic Studies and Prognosis, Montenegro | Institute for Transistional Democracy and International Security, Hungary | Institute of Economic Affairs, UK | Institute of Economic Analysis, Russia | Institute of Economic Studies, Iceland | Institute of Economics (Ekonomski Institut), Croatia | Instituto Juan de Mariana, Spain | Instytut Liberalno-Konserwatywny, Poland | International Centre for Economic Research, Italy | International Council for Capital Formation, Brussels | International Policy Network, United Kingdom | Istituto Acton, Italy | Istituto Bruno Leoni, Italy | Jaan Tonisson Institut, Estonia | Jerusalem Institute for Market Studies, Israel | Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Germany | Liberales Institut, Switzerland | Liberales, Belgium | Liberalni Institute, Czech Republic | Libertarian Alliance, United Kingdom | Libertas (think tank) | Liberty Ideas, Austria | Lithuanian Free Market Institute | Ludwig von Mises Institute Europe, Brussels | Ludwig von Mises Institute, Romania | M.E.S.A. 10, Slovakia | Magna Carta Foundation, Italy | New Economic School, Georgia | New Economics School, Russia | New Social Market Economy Foundation, Germany | Nova Civitas, Belgium | Nova Res Publica, Italy | Nurses for Reform, created in 2006. | Open Europe, United Kingdom | Open Republic Institute | Poder Limitado, Spain | Policy Exchange, United Kingdom | Policy Institute, United Kingdom | Politeia, United Kingdom | Project Empowerment, United Kingdom | Ratio Institute, Sweden | Reform, United Kingdom | Riinvest Institute for Development Research, Kosovo | Romania Think Tank | Romanian Centre for Economic Policies | Sauvegarde Retraites (Save the Pensions), France | Social Affairs Unit, London | Stiftung Marktwirtschaft, Germany | Taxpayers' Alliance | Telders Foundation, Netherlands | The Copenhagen Institute, Denmark | Globalization Institute, United Kingdom | Think Tank for International Governance Research, Austria | Thomas More Institute, Belgium | Timbro, Sweden | Ukrainian Centre for Independent Political Research | Venezie Institute, Italy | Walter Eucken Institut, Germany
People
The Stockholm Network does not have a board and is owned and run by Helen Disney
Personnel
- Helen Disney, Director
- Rick Nye, Company Secretary, also a director of opinion pollsters Populus
- Anne Jensen, Project Officer, IP, Competition and Trade programme
- Sacha Kumaria, is the Stockholm Network's Assistant Director.
- Peter Nolan is the Stockholm Network Director of Environmental Affairs.
- Terry O'Dwyer, Manager, Health and Welfare programme
Health and Welfare Programme
The Stockholm Network's Health and Welfare Programme was set up at the end of 2005. Key aims and objectives include:[10]
- Providing a comprehensive resource on European think tank initiatives in the field of Health and Welfare
- Promoting competition and choice in healthcare, through reform of European health systems and markets
- Promoting more flexible labour markets in Europe
- Promoting market oriented reform of Europe's failing pensions systems
Contact, References and Resources
Contact information
- 35 Britannia Row
- London, N1 8QH
- United Kingdom
- Email: info@ stockholm-network.org
- Phone: +44 (0)20 7354 8888
- Fax: +44 (0)20 7359 8888
- Web: www.stockholm-network.org
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stockholm-Network/135765338804
External links
- Wikipedia Stockholm Network
- SourceWatch Stockholm Network on SourceWatch
- Corporate Europe Observatory, "Covert industry funding fuels the expansion of radical rightwing EU think tanks", July 2005.
- Paul Staines, "You want policy? In cash?", The Times (London), 20 December 2005, Page 19.
- Helen Disney, Karen Horn, Pavel Hrobon, Johan Hjertqvist, Alastair Kilmarnock, Andreas Mihm, Alberto Mingardi, Cécile Philippe, David Smith, Eline van den Broek, Gerrold Verhoeks Impatient for Change: European attitudes to healthcare reform 13 May 2004.
References
- ↑ Stockholm Network. Stockholm Network: FAQs Accessed 9 April 2010.
- ↑ Stockholm Network. Stockholm Network: About Us Accessed 9 April 2010.
- ↑ Paul Staines, You want policy? In cash?', The Times (London), 20 December 2005, Page 19.
- ↑ Stockholm Network Stockholm Network: Policy Issues Accessed 9 April 2010.
- ↑ Stockholm Network. Stockholm Network: FAQs Accessed 9 April 2010.
- ↑ Corporate Europe Observatory. Covert industry funding fuels the expansion of radical rightwing EU think tanks Accessed 9 April 2010.
- ↑ Stockholm Network. Stockholm Network: FAQs Accessed 9 April 2010.
- ↑ Stockholm Network. Stockholm Network: FAQs Accessed 9 April 2010.
- ↑ Stockholm Network. Stockholm Network: FAQs Accessed 9 April 2010.
- ↑ Stockholm Networks. Health and Welfare Accessed 8 April 2010.
