International Policy Network [defunct]

SOURCE:  Wikipedia, captured 2020-08-20
This page last modified: 2020-10-02 17:12:22 -0700 (PST)

  • Abbreviation: IPN
  • Formation: 1971
  • Founder: Sir Antony Fisher
  • Extinction: 2011
  • Type Non-partisan, non-profit think tank (UK charity)
  • Legal status Defunct
  • Location: London, U.K.
  • Subsidiaries: The Freedom to Trade Campaign
  • Formerly called: The International Institute for Economic Research  |  The Atlas Economic Research Foundation (UK)  [the Atlas Economic Research Foundation is now the Atlas Network]
  • In 1971 Antony Fisher founded the International Institute for Economic Research  [now the International Policy Network], which went on to spawn both the Atlas Network in 1981 and the International Policy Network in 2001. Through these operations, Fisher provided financial and operational support for a huge number of fledgling think-tanks, most of which would not exist without his influence. It was through the Atlas Network that Fisher was able to extend his beliefs worldwide. By 1984, Fisher was watching over eighteen institutions in eleven countries. As of 2017, Atlas supports and works with nearly 500 free-market think-tanks in over 90 different countries.

  • Antony Fisher's daughter ["Personal Life" subsection] -- Linda Whetstone -- now works for the (Fisher-founded) Adam Smith Institute. Linda Whetstone is also the Chairperson of the International Policy Network, and was on the Board of Directors of the Mont Pelerin Society [2008-2010], the Institute of Economic Affairs, and the Atlas Network in the United States.


    The International Policy Network (IPN) was a think tank based in the City of London, founded 1971, and closed in September 2011. The International Policy Network was a non-partisan, non-profit organization, but critics said it was a "corporate-funded campaigning group". IPN ran campaigns on issues such as trade, development, healthcare and the environment. IPN's campaigns were pro-free market.

    Vision

    According to its website, "The International Policy Network aims to empower individuals and promote respect for people and property in order to eliminate poverty, improve human health and protect the environment. IPN promotes public awareness of the importance of this vision for all people, both rich and poor."

    "IPN seeks to achieve its vision by promoting the role of market institutions in certain key international policy debates: sustainable development, health, and globalisation and trade. IPN works with academics, think tanks, journalists and policymakers on every continent."

    History

    The International Policy Network was founded as a UK charity by Sir Antony Fisher in 1971. The mission of this body is to "Promote the advancement of learning by research into economic and political science and the publication of such research". The charity's original name was The International Institute for Economic Research, then the Atlas Economic Research Foundation (UK).  [The Atlas Economic Research Foundation is now the Atlas Network].

    Funding

    The International Policy Network is funded entirely by voluntary, charitable gifts from foundations, individuals and businesses. IPN does not receive any funding from governments or political parties, and it does no contract work. IPN develops and implements a research and advocacy agenda that encompasses not one or a few, but many public policy issues.

    The International Policy Network has received grants totaling hundreds of thousands of pounds from the multinational energy company ExxonMobil, although it has not received money from the energy sector for some years.

    Programs

    The International Policy Network undertakes ongoing work on public policy in the areas of health, environment, economic development, trade, creativity and innovation.

    The "Freedom to Trade Campaign" is run in collaboration with the Atlas Global Initiative. The campaign joins 73 think tanks in 48 countries to support free trade and oppose protectionism.

    The International Policy Network's "Bastiat Prize for Journalism" was founded in 2002. The Bastiat Prize recognises and rewards journalists and commentators who support the free society. This year, IPN will award the first Bastiat Prize for Online Journalism.

    Links to other organisations

    The International Policy Network was founded by Antony Fisher in the U.K. as the International Institute for Economic Research (IIER) in 1971. Fisher went on to found the Atlas Economic Research Foundation in the USA in 1981, and from this point the IIER traded as Atlas Foundation UK. The organisation underwent a further rebranding in 2001, when it changed its name to the International Policy Network.

    In the USA, the Atlas Network also provides training and funding to start libertarian think tanks.

    Antony Fisher also founded the influential Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), a classical liberal think tank based in London. The Founding Director of IPN, Julian Morris, was previously Director of the IEA's "Environment and Technology Programme."

    People

    Past notable trustees/directors

    Past notable staff

    Some of The International Policy Network's partners


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