1. What is a think tank?

Think tank does not have a clear translation into Spanish; Perhaps what comes closest is “laboratory of ideas”.

We can define think tanks as independent research bodies dedicated to matters of public interest and their analysis, in order to obtain operational proposals.

These are research centers that often serve as a bridge between the academic community and public administration, becoming an independent voice that transforms the political debate into a language that is understandable and accessible to both the political sphere and the general public (“Think Tanks and Policy Advice in the US: Academics, Advisors and Advocates. “James G. McGann, Routledge 2007).

We think it is important to make a distinction between think tank and the concept of a “lobby”. According to RAE (Spanish Academy of Language), a lobby is a group of influential people organized to press for certain interests. The purpose of a lobby is to get the views of the organizations they represent to the administrations. Our think tank will aim to generate thinking and promote debate and reflection to reach the proposed institutions that can help in making decisions that help society.

(Information obtained in “Guide to think tanks in Spain 2nd ed. By Marta Tello Beneitez of the Fundación Ciudadanía y Valores published by the UNED, 2013).