Think-tank interpretation

Think-tanks are independent, multi-issue institutes organized along values; their professional activity can be interpreted in relation to their wide social relations, and they have significant influence on public opinion.

Think tanks are complex organizations. Among their roles and functions are:

• Adopting policy concerning the public interest, providing answers to issues concerning public opinion, as well as entering and opening debates which organise public life. Think-tanks publish their positions and their findings in high-quality works that can be consumed by the public.
• Climate creation and schedule formulation. Representatives of think-tank organizations become participants in public debates by their frequent participation in the media.
• Preparing short- and medium-term projects. It is the role of the think-tank's conscious professionalism to prepare analyses that can be used by politicians in their everyday life and in their speeches, thereby acting as a bridge between public opinion and the political elite.
• Preparation of and assistance to the professionalization of politics by educating a new generation. Think-tanks give much attention to the training and "education" of the practicing politicians and advisors, which is important from the perspective of identity-saving and renewal.

A think-tank's scope of work reflects its mission, including the conduct of research and surveys and the publication of the results, the publication of studies and reviews; book publishing, professional training, organisation of conferences and professional events, and professional advising.

The Századvég Foundation currently conducts professional activity in five areas:

• Századvég Policy Research Centre,
• Századvég Academy of Politics,
• Századvég Publishing,
• Századvég Civic Academy,
• Századvég Academy of Public Administration,