The Oakland Institute is a progressive think tank founded in 2004 by Anuradha Mittal. It is headquartered in Oakland, California.
| Motto | The Oakland Institute is bringing fresh ideas and bold action to the most pressing social, economic, and environmental issues of our time. |
|---|---|
| Established | 2004 |
| Executive Director | Anuradha Mittal |
| Budget | Revenue: $521,395 Expenses: $384,075 (FYE December 2015)[1] |
| Address | P.O. Box 18978 Oakland, CA 94619 |
| Location | |
| Website | www.oaklandinstitute.org |
Mission and areas of focus
editSince 2011, the Institute has investigated land investment deals in developing countries, particularly where there are questions about transparency, fairness, and accountability.[2]
The Oakland Institute's mission is to "increase public participation and promote fair debate on critical social, economic, and environmental issues in both national and international forums".[3] The institute works in coalitions and networks to strengthen social movements, especially in partnership with grassroots constituencies such as faith-based organizations, farm workers, immigrant rights groups, black farmers, and international proponents of food sovereignty and trade justice.[4][5][6]
The Oakland Institute categorizes its work into the following program areas:
- Climate change
- Foreign investment
- High food price crisis
- International aid
- Land rights
- Poverty
- Sustainable food systems
- Trade agreements
Activities
editIn 2011, the institute detailed a $26 million investment made by Vanderbilt University in Emergent Asset Management, later known as EMVest Asset Management, a hedge fund accused of abusive practices in sub-Saharan countries including Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.[7] The episode was covered internationally and led to student protests on campus in 2012.[8]
Controversies
editIn 2021, the Oakland Institute was involved in a watchdog complaint to the IRS that alleged self-dealing by Mittal, who is also the vice president of Ben & Jerry's non-profit foundation.[9][10] In 2017 and 2018, Ben & Jerry's foundation paid $104,000 to the Oakland Institute, where Mittal is the only salaried employee; during this time, the Oakland Institute paid Mittal a salary of $156,000.[9][10]
Awards and recognition
editThe Nation magazine recognized the institute's work, and the efforts of Anuradha Mittal in particular, in their list of Most Valuable Progressives of 2008.[11] The Oakland Institute received the United Nations Association East Bay's Global Citizen Award in 2007 and the KPFA Peace Award in 2006.[12][13] in 2012, the Oakland Institute was honored by the Responsible Endowments Coalition for its leadership in drawing attention to college and university investments in land grabs in Africa.[14] Articles and opinion pieces by The Oakland Institute's staff and fellows and/or perspectives on its work are regularly published in U.S. media outlets including Alternet, Slate, The Huffington Post, Inter Press Service, and The Chronicle of Philanthropy.[15]
References
edit- ^ "World Policy Institute" (PDF). Foundation Center. 30 June 2014. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
- ^ [1] The Oakland Institute's reports and documentation on land investment deals in Africa.
- ^ http://lii.org/pub/subtopic/5679 Librarians' Internet Index: Public Policy.
- ^ www.oaklandinstitute.org/?q=node/view/188 The Oakland Institute "Letter from the Director, 2004-2005". Accessed 06/02/09.
- ^ www.pcusa.org/oghs/08images/php07-grants.pdf Presbyterian Hunger Program, "2007 Grants and Programs". Accessed 06/02/09.
- ^ "Opinion | Saving the Farm". The New York Times. 2004-06-12. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
- ^ Vanderbilt University Divests from "Land Grab" in Africa, Oakland Institute, February 13, 2013
- ^ John Vidal, Claire Provost, US universities in Africa 'land grab', The Guardian, June 8, 2011
- ^ a b staff, T. O. I.; Agencies. "Ben & Jerry's board chair accused of self-dealing to fund think tank — report". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 2021-08-30.
- ^ a b "Report: Ben & Jerry's board chair diverted funds to anti-Israel groups". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. Retrieved 2021-08-30.
- ^ www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat/392577/most_valuable_progressives_of_2008 John Nichols, "Most Valuable Progressives of 2008," The Nation-Beat Blog, posted December 31, 2008.
- ^ www.unausaeastbay.org/newsletters/REVISED_UNA_nwsltr_Oct-Nov_2007.pdf UNA-USA East Bay Newsletter, October–November, 2007.
- ^ www.insouth.org Organizational profile on InSouth, the Intellectual Network for the South.
- ^ [2] Responsible Endowments Coalition website
- ^ www.oaklandinstitute.org/?q=node/view/101 Listing of published articles about the Oakland Institute.