Role of Science in Assisting Regional Policy Development – North Eastern Africa Workshop Series – Ethiopia, 2019
WORKSHOP MATERIALS AND PRESENTATIONS:
- Download the Full Workshop Report
- See the end for the full list of resources from the meeting.
Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA: The Ethiopian Academy of Sciences and INGSA were pleased to co-host a series of science advice workshops in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from the 28th to the 31st of October 2019.
The workshop series was designed for policymakers and scientists living or working in North Eastern Africa to enhance capacities in embedding evidence in policymaking at all levels of government.
The series of events included:
| 28-29 Oct | A one and a half day science advice workshop with policymakers and select researchers and scientists |
| 29 Oct | A half day open public evidence informed policy-making forum – all welcome, particularly the academic and research community |
| 30 Oct | A one day workshop focusing on the role of science advice for health – seeking both policymakers and health researchers |
| 31 Oct | A one day science advice workshop dedicated for young scientists |
Many of the challenges facing modern societies cannot be adequately addressed by solely using common sense, experience, ideological principles, or basic analytical methods. Whether it is climate change, renewable energy, natural disasters, food security, or disease pandemics, policymakers need scientific advice to inform their decisions. Obtaining rigorous and useful science advice in a timely manner is not a trivial matter and taking careful account of such advice in complex policy areas of interest to many different stakeholders is not always straightforward.
The interface between science, politics and society at large is challenging for both policymakers and scientists. While, science advice training may not be in the mainstream training of scientists and policymakers, there is an increasing need for scientists and policymakers to have science advice and communication skills to ensure that evidence-based policies result in positive impact to all stakeholders.
The objective of this workshop series was to understand, appreciate and upskill participants in how to facilitate evidence-informed policy-making.
We are grateful to our funding partner IDRC for supporting this workshop series.
Thanks to Alison Flynn and Binyam Sisay Mendisu for producing the Workshop Report
Sir Peter Gluckman Keynote Speech
Workshop Materials and Presentations
- FINAL WORKSHOP REPORT
- Workshop agenda
- Welcoming Remarks and associated slides by Prof. Tsige Gebre-Mariam, President, Ethiopian Academy of Sciences
- Opening Address by H.E. Prof. Afework Kassu, State Minister, Ministry of Science & Higher Education, Ethiopia
- Evidence Informed Policy Making: An Ethiopian Perspective by H.E. Prof. Afework Kassu, State Minister, Ministry of Science & Higher Education, Ethiopia
- An introduction to the ‘twilight zone’ between science and policy: Principles, structures and pitfalls of science advice by Dr Jan Marco Muller, Acting Chief Operations Officer, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis
- Strengthening the Science/Policy Nexus by Emily Hayter, Senior Programme Specialist, INASP
- Factors Affecting Evidence Use for Policymakers by Emily Hayter, Senior Programme Specialist, INASP
- Evidence for Diplomacy by Mahlet N. Mesfin, Visiting Scholar Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement
- Conclusions of day one by Dr Taye Assefa of the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences
- A report back from the co-partnered Global Young Academy Science Advice and Science Leadership workshop by Dawit Gebregziabher and Hailekiros Sibhato
Case Studies
Republic of Estrela: Internal displacement, climate change & planning case study with mentor notes and discussion slides
Ostal: waste, land use & technological development – a sufficiency of evidence case with mentor notes
Swamperia: future technology in the fight against malaria case study with mentor notes and discussion slides