In the margins of the 2026 edition of the Annual On Think Tanks Conference, the Policy Center for the New South is pleased to host a public session.
Think tanks operate in a dual space, seeking public visibility while aiming to influence policy through credible, fact-based analysis. Although these goals are not mutually exclusive, prioritising popularity over policy relevance can blur the line between analysis and advocacy. When that line becomes unclear, public trust in think tanks’ independence and expertise is weakened, with direct consequences for their policy influence.
In this context, leading think tanks from across the world will delve into the evolving relationship between visibility, credibility, and policy influence. The session will provide an opportunity to reflect on current challenges and emerging practices, and to exchange perspectives on how think tanks can navigate today’s communication landscape while preserving their analytical integrity and public trust.
- Karim El Aynaoui, Executive President, Policy Center for the New South (Morocco)
- John Schwartz, CEO, Soapbox (United Kingdom)
- Damien King, Executive Director, Caribbean Policy Research Institute (Jamaica)
- Elizabeth Sirodopulos, Executive Director, South African Institute of International Affairs (South Africa) (TBC)
Moderator: Enrique Mendizabal, Executive Director, On Think Tanks
Find out more here.
Participants to the Conference will receive a link to register to the event.