THINK TANK:Encouraging Dialogue: Sector Insights, Evidence Week & New Initiatives

FROM
Enrique Mendizabal

Dear OTT Community,

Dialogue is at the heart of everything we do.

The publication of the Think Tanks State of the Sector Report in November offers an opportunity to encourage informed dialogue about the challenges and opportunities faced by think tanks and the evidence-informed policymaking field. Stay tuned for the launch!

The Semana de Evidencia 2024 will take place between November 11 and 18. This regional festival promotes dialogue about evidence-informed policymaking locally. Sign up now!

Throughout last year, we have also supported student-led think tanks in OTT’s Building for the Future initiative, which embarks on multi-regional dialogues to incorporate new perspectives into European policy debates. Applications for the second round of support are now open.

Dialogue (between new sets of partners) is at the heart of our response to ill-conceived efforts to address inequity in North-South think tank collaboration. Dialogue (between and within local policy research committees) is what we think should be at the heart of any effort to create a living evidence synthesis.

It’s the people and the relationships they forge—not reports—that make a difference.

The World Bank Meetings, COP, the T20 and G20 summits and other global gatherings often feel frivolous and unnecessary—and have a lot to work on to be more inclusive—but they recognise the importance of dialogue to break down silos, counter polarisation and promote cooperation.

Until next month,
Enrique Mendizabal
OTT Founder & Director



OTT Blogs: New Content
In conversation with Prof. Mercedes Araoz, former Prime Minister, Peru
Beyond the Hype: Lessons and Challenges from MineduLab’s Quest for Evidence-Informed Policy-Making, By Enrique Mendizabal
From Consensus to Change: Reclaiming Southern Agency in International Research, By Andrea Ordoñez
Lessons from Business on Disruption Relevant for Think Tanks, By Ivan Filippov




New podcast episode

This OTT Talks episode explores how the Building for the Future Initiative supports student-led think tanks with grants, capacity-building, and multi-regional events to bring fresh perspectives to European policy.
Listen now & subscribe on Spotify!




Upcoming Events & Opportunities




Applications for On Think Tanks’ Building for the Future grant are now open!

With support from the Open Society Foundations, OTT offers grants to selected student-led think tanks in Europe to promote new perspectives on European policy issues and policy research questions.
Apply now!
Learn more





Want to grow your career in thinktanking and impact public policy?

Join our School For Thinktankers Q&A session on November 6 to learn about the Feb 2025 edition of the School For Thinktankers at Fundacio Bofill, Barcelona in February 2025.
RSVP
Learn More




Calling all funders!

Join the African Education Research Funding Consortium's learning call on 12 November 2024 for niche insights on Africa-focused initiatives and funding opportunities.
RSVP
Learn more




The think tank state of the sector report provides an annual snapshot of the think tank sector globally and regionally.

This year, we are excited to partner with 21 fantastic think tanks around the world to provide a more nuanced regional analysis of the data.

Stay tuned for more updates!
Learn more




Semana de la Evidencia 2024 (co-organised by Hub de Evidencias para América Latina y el Caribe - Hub LAC) will take place from 11-16 November 2o24.

Join the conversation on the use of evidence to strengthen public policies in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Learn More & Participate


News: What's Happening in the Think Tank Sector?


ODI becomes ODI Global, launching three new entities: ODI Europe, ODI Global Washington, and ODI Global Advisory.


Southern Voice became one of 12 global networks to join the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) of the United Nations Secretary-General, tasked with advising UN leaders on the latest scientific and technological breakthroughs to support global development efforts.


The South African government has appointed SAIIA, the Institute for Global Dialogue and the Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation (IPATC) at the University of Johannesburg to lead the T20 South Africa during its G20 presidency.


The ME Council and Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs have launched a Think Tank Network for the Arab region, bringing together leading think tanks across MENA to tackle pressing challenges and enhance collaboration.


Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF), which effectively bridges the gap between academic research and policy-making, celebrates 30 years of excellence.


Center for Indonesian Policy Studies announces Anthea Haryoko as their new Chief Operating Officer (COO).


Science Officer, The International Science Council (ISC)
Echidna Global Scholar, The Brookings Institution
Federalism and State Policy Analyst, Cato Institute
Foreign Policy Analyst/ Research Fellow, Cato Institute
See all job opportunities