Eye on Europe, Stockholm Network.
Primavera 2006
Institución Futuro was founded in September 2001 to design and promote a better socio-economic future for Navarra. This independent think tank analyses public policies and launches innovative proposals through research, publications and educational activities. The institution’s members come from the business and professional communities and are independent from the political establishment. The Institución Futuro is a non-profit organisation.
WHAT THEY DO
The Institución plays a pioneering role in Navarra. The nature and activities of a think tank are not well known in Spain, and especially in this region. Not only are citizens unaware of the phenomenon, but political, economic and social leaders are equally in the dark. The Institución therefore undertakes a pedagogic function: besides promoting its own ideas and activities, it educates people on the nature and functions of an independent think tank.

Research at the Institución focuses on the following areas: the public image of Navarra, the competitiveness of the region, its healthcare system, the evolution of its public sector and the future prospects of Navarra. The research is conducted by in-house economists and sociologists, though the Institución also has a network of external researchers with whom they collaborate on a regular basis. All the work is dissipated through books and periodicals, conferences and seminars, and regular media appearances – including a semi-monthly opinion article in Expansión, the main Spanish economic newspaper. The website, recently redesigned, releases updated information about the activities of the Institución and keeps records of all publications.

WHAT THEY HAVE DONE
Since its foundation, the Institución Futuro has published several books. Some of the most recent ones include a prospective study of Spain in 2020, a review of immigrants’ entrepreneurship in Navarra, and a study of the social values and public image of the region. It has also published policy briefings where it recommends the implementation of new policies on topics such as the Public Budget or fiscal incentives for R&D. Equally, it has organised seminars on the drug marketplace in Spain, the economic perspectives of the last EU enlargement and the sustainability and competitiveness of the region. Other activities include public appearances and speeches delivered about topics such as the unity of Spain, Spanish foreign relations, the state of the economy, the automotive industry or the future of the European Union.

WHAT THEY BELIEVE
The Institución Futuro believes in the active role that civil society should play in the development of public affairs. The think tank agrees with the principles of advanced democracies: the defence of individual freedom and civil rights; and of the market economy and the proper balance between the power of the state and the initiative of individual citizens. The Institución Futuro believes in Western culture and values and they share the idea of a common territory for all Spaniards, although it also agrees with the autonomy of the Spanish regions. The Institución supports the European Union and is optimistic about globalisation.

FORTHCOMING PLANS AND PUBLICATIONS
In 2006, the Institución Futuro is planning to issue several books about the competitiveness of Navarra in Europe, the impact of the Budget of the European Union on the region, the integration of immigrants in Navarra, fiscal incentives to increase competitiveness and public opinion about its health care system. It will continue the publication of the weekly newsletter Opinion Review, focused on the international media, and the quarterly newsletter Tendencias de Futuro, which gives coverage to studies and opinions of think tanks all over the world.

A range of activities is also planned. The Institución Futuro will host lectures with experts, academics, businessmen and political leaders. In addition, it will host two seminars. The first one will focus on the competitiveness of Navarra and in the other, several experts will discuss the public image of the region. As one of the first truly independent think tanks in Spain, the Institución Futuro faces a unique and difficult task: as well as attempting to influence the political landscape and stimulate debate, it must educate the public and the political establishment on the meaning and value of think tanks.

Institución Futuro
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