Knowledge Platform on Development Policies: Policy Research Workshop

The Knowledge Platform on Development Policies, for which the ASC co-hosts the Secretariat, organises a Policy Research Workshop “Knowledge Activities for Inclusive Development in Africa” at the International Institute of Social Studies in The Hague on 20 October. The aim of the workshop is to bring together the WOTRO/RIDSS research groups, platform members and invited guests and stimulate a forward-looking debate on knowledge activities in Benin, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Uganda. More information can be found here.

Workshop program

Background information
The Knowledge Platform on Development Policies supports research, knowledge sharing and evidence-based policy debates in seven African partner countries in Dutch development cooperation. The Platform has identified three subthemes for its work:

1. Promoting Productive Employment in Sub-Saharan Africa
2. Strategic Actors for Inclusive Development in Sub-Saharan Africa
3. Links between Social Inclusion and Sustainable Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa

On the first two themes calls for proposals were issued in September 2013 and granted in June 2014. Based on a scoping conference on Social Inclusion for Inclusive Development the Platform developed a call for proposals on Social Protection that closes in October 2014.

Objectives
The research on Productive Employment and Strategic Actors is now starting and the Platform seeks to develop and agree on concrete action plans for 2015 (and ideas for 2016) for the knowledge/policy dialogue in (selected) African countries.  The workshop has therefore two overarching objectives:

• Community formation between the Knowledge Platform and WOTRO research consortia
• To assess existing and proposed research policy linkages in the research countries and to agree on an outline for action plans to enhance knowledge flows, based on existing as well as new research and knowledge

Questions to be addressed at the workshop
•    What are the needs of (African) policy makers/practitioners? What knowledge flows and products do they use in the policy dialogue and policy formulation process? How to organize these knowledge flows? How to engage different actors: regional institutions, other knowledge networks, governments and donors, business and civil society?

•    How can the Platform contribute, beyond the three calls for proposals already issued, through additional activities such as short-term research, knowledge mapping, knowledge sharing through webinars, seminars that bring in existing knowledge and initiatives/networks?

Expected output
Concrete action plans for 2015 (and ideas for 2016) for the knowledge/policy dialogue in (selected) African countries. These plans include a proposal for activities and a clear division of tasks/roles per country and theme (PE/SA) of relevant Platform members, WOTRO research consortia and the Platform Secretariat. These plans also serve as input for position papers (per theme, i.e. PE/SA) in terms of identifying gaps (gap maps) to be filled through commissioned (policy) research and the Secretariat.

Contact details
Dr. Veronika Goussatchenko: +31 70 4260411 goussatchenko@iss.nl

Ms. Zara Shushanyan:  +31 70 4260606 shushanyan@iss.nl

Ms. Michela Marcatelli: +31 70 4260426 knowledge-platform@iss.nl