Think Tank & NGO Forums: The Parallel Tracks of Diplomacy

The Role of Parallel Forums

Side-events hosted by independent institutions provide space for candid dialogue, expert analysis, and coalition building.
They often address issues too technical, sensitive, or forward-looking for formal UN sessions, giving diplomats valuable insights and connections.

Who Hosts Them

• Think Tanks: Institutions like the Council on Foreign Relations or Carnegie Council convene experts and policymakers for policy-shaping discussions.
• Universities: Columbia, NYU, and others provide neutral venues for high-level panels and academic-policy dialogues.
• NGOs: Advocacy groups highlight pressing humanitarian, environmental, and human rights issues.
• Foundations: Philanthropic actors host forums to launch funding initiatives and cross-sector collaborations.

Why They Matter

These forums shape the intellectual climate around negotiations.
Reports, policy briefs, and panel recommendations frequently find their way into draft resolutions, strategy documents, and media framing.
By engaging here, diplomats gain both expertise and political cover for their positions.

Maximizing Participation

1. Prioritize Relevance: Attend forums linked to your delegation’s key agenda items.
2. Engage Actively: Ask questions, network, and make short interventions to position your country’s perspective.
3. Follow the Papers: Collect and circulate event outputs—policy briefs, recordings, or data reports.
4. Bridge to Formal Talks: Use insights to refine negotiating positions and strengthen arguments in UN committees.
5. Maintain Networks: Stay in touch with experts and NGOs for future collaboration and real-time analysis.

Common Pitfalls

• Overextension: Trying to attend every forum leads to shallow engagement; prioritize strategically.
• Passive Attendance: Listening without follow-up wastes opportunities for visibility and influence.
• Underestimating NGOs: Advocacy voices often shape media narratives faster than official statements.
• No Documentation: Failing to capture insights means lessons are lost once the panel ends.

Looking Ahead

As diplomacy evolves, parallel forums will grow in influence.
They provide agility, creativity, and critical voices often missing from formal halls.
For missions in New York, active participation here is not optional—it is essential for shaping both the narrative and the negotiations that follow.