Periodic reflection on positive things in life can change one’s attitude for the better and create a more open attitude to new opportunities. I use such reflections to develop my List of Positive Things, which I keep on my iPod and update a few times a week during my commute to work. I sometimes scroll through the list and come away feeling renewed. For example, I’ll do this after a bad day at the office or when looking for ideas for new projects. Among the multitude of topics, the value of international organisations is one that comes up repeatedly.

The value of international organisations: a few entries from my list of positive things

This list is not comprehensive, but rather focuses on the topic of international organisations and ideas. It reflects observations arising from the course of my work at an international organisation (20+ years).

• International organisations have helped to develop innovation as a field of study in its own right. This provides a powerful, cross-cutting perspective on the economy that can deliver policy insights that otherwise may be missed. The Innovation Strategy initiative of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an example of this type of work.
• International organisations have supported a vast, on-going wave of research on a range of topics. Analysts will sometimes develop research that is remarkable for its novelty or depth. This can lead to concrete ideas for ways to improve economic performance.  Many papers resulting from this work have been posted on the Social Science Research Network. (I’m grateful to this network for making available and distributing a broad range of papers. Browsing the abstracts, I can follow developments in my field. Some of the material is relevant to my current research and some inspires new research directions.)
• International dialogue at OECD and other international organisations can lead to creativity and diffusion of ideas. In some cases, this can promote understanding where there was a risk of conflict. Some dialogue happens via the day-to-day operations inside these organisations. Some of it takes place at international conferences and workshops, where various stakeholders come together. 
• Staff at international organisations, particularly analytical staff, often demonstrate a high level of professional competence. I am continually impressed by the intelligence, dedication and energy that many of my colleagues bring to their work. This is often accompanied by a strong desire to promote development and make the world a better place. There are certainly occasional problems associated with ambition, turf, bureaucratic intrigues and politics (both within the organisations and among their member countries). But, on balance, the staff calibre is high.  
• Improving government policy: International comparisons and peer review can be powerful catalysts to stimulate positive changes in government. The process of sharing and learning among experts is often catalysed by new insights from staff papers from international organisations. It is great to see this process in operation!

 Bottom line: International organisations can be powerful sources of new ideas for government, private sector, academia and non-governmental organisations. While there is certainly room for improvement in their operations (e.g., via better management practices and evaluation), the contributions of these organisations to making the world a better place should not be underestimated.