The Overseas Development Institute (ODI) has been named ‘think-tank to watch 2005’ in the Prospect ‘Think-tank of the Year’ awards, announced on 20 September. David Goodhart, awards organiser and Editor of Prospect magazine, said the award recognises ODI’s efforts in getting its work into the hands of policy makers, academics and journalists. “I am especially pleased”, he said, “that one of our awards has gone to a think-tank that thinks so globally”. David Walker of The Guardian, who chaired the panel of judges, said “ODI has had a good year, with Africa and development in the policy mill. A concentrated centre of expertise such as ODI is sure to become even more of a player in the think-tank world”. “This award is recognition of ODI’s wonderful staff, who are united by a commitment to ending poverty, exclusion and injustice, and, equally, by a passion to see ideas translated into policy and practice”, said ODI Director Simon Maxwell. “Ouagadougou is every bit as important as Whitehall, Dar es Salaam as Downing Street. It’s gratifying that the UK think-tank world has recognised the importance of our subject and the global nature of policy problems and solutions. ODI has demonstrated how an independent think-tank can contribute to this kind of political and policy enterprise – through research, policy advice and public debate”.