Extended coffee-breaks (30mins) and lunch-breaks (1h 30mins) will allow participants to engage with each other directly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nKeep an eye out for updates!<\/p>\n
Tuesday 5th February<\/b><\/p>\n
Note: parallel sessions will take place in 4 rooms depending on demand: 2 hold up to 40 people and 2 hold about 15 people.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n900-930: Welcome: Enrique Mendizabal welcomes everyone to the 3rd On Think Tanks Conference. A brief round of (name\/ organisation \/ country) introductions and an explanation of the \u201crules of the game\u201d. <\/span><\/p>\n930-1000: Keynote 1 (LARGE ROOM 1)<\/span><\/p>\n\n- Elizabeth Sidiropoulos (SAIIA): “Engaging a global audience – think tanks and the G20”<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
1000-1030: Keynote 2\u00a0(LARGE ROOM 1)<\/span><\/p>\n\n- Lukas Hupfer (<\/span>foraus<\/span><\/i>): \u201cCollective intelligence – is the <\/span>grassroots think tank<\/span><\/i> model only possible in Switzerland?”<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
1030-1100: Coffee break<\/span><\/p>\n1100-1230: Parallel A<\/span><\/p>\n\n- “Evolving the model of think tank communications” <\/span>convened by We are Flint on the basis of a survey of what the public knows and thinks of think tanks\u00a0(LARGE ROOM 1)<\/span>\n
\n- We are Flint\u2019s \u2018new model for think tank communications\u2019 focuses on reaching out to the public with research findings, as a way of influencing policy. It is built on their 2018 quantitative research assessing the US and UK public’s perceptions of think tanks and how well policy is communicated by the policy community more broadly. In this session, Tom and Aidan will be discussing how think tanks are viewed, the way in which social media is re-shaping the policy environment, and the new challenge for think tank communications. In particular, they will be exploring how this new environment is being exploited by groups like the alt-right, and what think tanks can do as champions of evidence-based policy.+<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n- \u201cLooking on the bright side of life: are think tanks really facing a perfect storm?\u201d convened by Pamela Nakamba-Kabaso (ZIPAR), Ana Patricia Mu\u00f1oz (Grupo Faro), Gurucharan Gollerkeri (PAC India), Scarlett Varga (Bruegel).\u00a0(LARGE ROOM 2)<\/span>\n
\n- In this session, representatives from Latin America, Africa, Asia and Europe will reflect on the biggest challenges and opportunities facing think tanks in the regions over the next 5 years. Together, we will co-develop a full picture of what the sector can expect going forward and, possibly, some practical responses to a rapidly changing context. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- \u201c#thinktankstoo: how can think tanks better engage with and support social movements?\u201d convened by Savior Mwambwa (OSF) and Ajoy Datta (On Think Tanks)\u00a0(BOARD ROOM)<\/span>\n
\n- OSF and OTT have embarked in a new project to study the relationship between think tanks and social movements. The study has the intention of identifying possible opportunities for support, through think tanks, of social movements in a manner that enhances rather than constrain their dynamic, porous and fluid nature. \u00a0This study also responds to our collective interest to learn how think tanks may be better able to reach out, meaningfully, to the general public. The session offers a chance to present the draft report and incorporate feedback and new cases. +<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
12:30-1400: Lunch<\/span><\/p>\n1400-1430: Keynote 3:\u00a0(LARGE ROOM 1)<\/span><\/p>\n\n- Caroline Fiennes (Giving Evidence) on “What funders think about when they think about funding think tanks”<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
1430-1600: Parallel B<\/span><\/p>\n\n- “Hearts and minds:\u00a0communicating beyond evidence-based policy”<\/span> convened by\u00a0<\/span>John Schwartz (Soapbox), Keith Burnet (Chatham House) and Stephanie Mathisen (Sense about Science).\u00a0(LARGE ROOM 1)<\/span>\n
\n- Think tanks have always sought to present themselves as sources of objective debate and analysis. But is there really a public demand for evidence-based policy? Are we communicating in the wrong ways, to the wrong people and putting ourselves at risk of losing relevance and credibility? In this session we examine the role think tanks have in promoting basic values like peace, sustainability and justice. We look at practical ways we can go about expressing and framing these principles. And we explore how the choices we make around values and evidence impact the ways in which we engage with the wider public.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- \u201cEvidence informed policy: what is the end game?\u201d convened by Kerry Albright (UNICEF), Josephine Tsui (ODI) and Andrea Ordo\u00f1ez (Southern Voice)\u00a0(LARGE ROOM 2)<\/span>\n
\n- In this session we challenge the usual questions we ask about this field so that we can come up with meaningful recommendations for action. The question,\u00a0what is the end game?<\/i>\u00a0suggests we have to accept some kind of balance between evidence and politics (and values) – there are certain things for which the arguments need to be driven by or supported by values; or that we must recognise that there may be a “good enough use of evidence” in certain contexts; or that there is so much we can ask from governments or think tanks or the media, etc. individually, before we ask more from others (all boats need to rise together); or that we may just have enough evidence for the decisions that need to be made and that calls for more data may be distracting resources from where they are desperately needed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- \u201cHow to be a think tank in a captured state?\u201d convened by Gjergji Vurmo (Institute for Democracy and Mediation), Sonja Stojanovic Gajic (BCSP) and Daniel G\u00f3mez \u00c1lvarez (Transversal)\u00a0(BOARD ROOM)<\/span>\n
\n- Several regions of the world are facing a new context in which a few people in power are using legal means to concentrate greater power and resources for their private gain. Such situation put think tanks in a difficult position: their institution and policy elite-oriented approach to research and advocacy can be counterproductive, as it strengthens these very same power hungry individuals or engages think tanks in discussing the facade rather than the the \u201creal government\u201d behind the Government. It is also highly challenging due to increased limits to access to information, the shrinking space for deliberation and polarised and populist debates. This has led some to reconsider how to work with and support activist organisations and independent journalists. Are think tanks equipped to assist protection of democracies under attack?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
1600-1630: Tea break<\/span><\/p>\n1630-1730: Show and tell: hands-on learning opportunities \u00a0(all participants may submit proposals – email: enrique@onthinktanks.org) <\/span><\/p>\n\n- \u201cHow to handle Brexit?\u201d by the Institute for Government (Jill Rutter)\u00a0(LARGE ROOM 1)<\/span><\/li>\n
- \u201cEverything you always wanted to know about supporting think tanks (but were afraid to ask)<\/span>\u201d by the Think Tank Initiative on the basis of the Think Tank Initiative’s evaluation\u00a0(LARGE ROOM 2)<\/span><\/li>\n
- “The Open Think Tanks Network: lessons learned so far and the way forward” by foraus\u00a0(<\/span><\/em>BOARD ROOM)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
1730-1800: Report back<\/span><\/p>\nFree evening but join us for drinks at the \u2026\u00a0 (we will announce soon)<\/span><\/p>\nWednesday 6th February<\/b><\/p>\n
Note: parallel sessions will take place in 4 rooms depending on demand: 2 hold up to 40 people and 2 hold about 15 people.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n900-930: Welcome back: Enrique Mendizabal facilitates a session with interventions from the participants themselves.\u00a0(LARGE ROOM 1)<\/span><\/p>\n930-1000: Keynote 4:\u00a0(LARGE ROOM 1)<\/span><\/p>\n\n- Tarik Nesh-Nash (GovRight): \u201cOpening the civic space in the Maghreb using technology\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
1000-1030: Keynote 5:\u00a0(LARGE ROOM 1)<\/span><\/p>\n\n- Cameron Neylon (Curtin University): \u201cResearch excellence is a neo-colonial agenda\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
1030-1100: Coffee break<\/span><\/p>\n1100-1230: Parallel C<\/span><\/p>\n\n- “Building global networks” convened by Andrea Ordo\u00f1ez (Southern Voice), Barassou Diawara (ACBF), Elizabeth\u00a0Sidiropoulos (SAIIA), Adanna Shallowe (The RSA)\u00a0(LARGE ROOM 1)<\/span>\n
\n- Think tanks are increasingly engaging in regional and global spaces. The T20 recently organised by Argentina and South Africa offered think tanks in these countries the opportunity to take a leading role at the world stage. Regional networks and global think tank networks present opportunities for think tanks and researchers to collaborate to address shared challenges. However, shining at the world stage and effectively convening cross-country networks is easier said that done. What have these think tanks and initiatives learned from their own experiences?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- “Gender in think tanks” convened by Shannon Sutton (IDRC), Josephine Tsui (ODI), Scarlett Varga (Bruegel and Brussels Binder) and Norma Correa (PUCP and Grupo Sof\u00eda)\u00a0(LARGE ROOM 2)<\/span>\n
\n- Grupo Sofia, in Peru, is a research and action initiative that seeks to understand and promote the role of women in social sciences. The Brussels Binder, in Brussels, aims to raise the profile of women in the EU policy-research-media community. These experiences offer a starting point for a discussion on a range of conceptual and practical issues: Why are gender equitable think tanks desirable\/important? What are the benefits and drawbacks of quotas? How can funders support organisations to address gender equality?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
1230-1400: Lunch<\/span><\/p>\n1400-1445: Networking: (LARGE ROOM 1)<\/span><\/p>\n\n- Opportunity to get to know each other and our work better<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
1445-1615: Parallel D<\/span><\/p>\n\n- \u201cUnrestricted core funding is over: how to move on?\u201d convened by James Bramble (GrantSmart) and Chuka Onyekwena (CSEA)\u00a0(LARGE ROOM 1)<\/span>\n
\n- For many think tanks, unrestricted core funding is fast becoming a thing of the past. Their funders are less likely to provide this kind of support in the future. But moving on seems hard. Many have become accustomed to this kind of funding: their governance and management arrangements, their financial management, their research agendas and communication strategies all reflect the nature of core funding. Think tanks will have to go through deep organisational reforms before they can actively embrace other types of funding.+<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n