Dear OTT Community,
Over the past year, we’ve supported a range of conversations between funders and think tanks from formal consultations to informal exchanges. All have raised important questions about what it takes to build genuine partnerships.
Our most recent dialogue, between African think tanks and the IMF just before the OTT Conference in Johannesburg, brought many of these reflections to light. The discussions were honest, constructive, and at times uncomfortable but they showed us that the most productive conversations happen when funders come to listen, and when think tanks feel safe to speak candidly. These spaces are not easy to create, but they are essential. In the coming weeks, I’ll share a few thoughts on what we’ve learned and what it might mean for the future of our sector.
In this newsletter, you’ll also find updates on our broader work to support the evidence-informed policy ecosystem. We’ve launched a new hub to help parliaments make better use of evidence. Our education policy labs (EdLabs) continue to grow, testing new ways to connect research, policy and practice. And we’re spotlighting African-led approaches to education research, which shift ownership and leadership to where it’s most needed.
