The seventh Regional Meeting (RM7) of the South Asian Think Tanks (SATTs) will be held from 5 to 7 February 2018 at BRAC-CDM Savar in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The theme for RM7 is Remaining Relevant in the Policy World: Sustainability Challenges of Think Tanks.
The three-day long meeting will explore how the support from the IDRC to the South Asian cohort of SATTs has strengthened their capacities in terms of generating new knowledge and becoming more effective in policy engagement. The SATTs will also discuss how they will continue to pursue policy engagement in the coming days once TTI withdraws its support to them.
Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) and BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD) is jointly hosting the regional meeting.
Concept Note
1. Background
The seventh regional meeting (RM7) of the South Asian Think Tank (SATTs) will be held at a time when the second phase of Think Tank Initiative (TTI) will come close to the finishing line. Most SATTs have had the experience of about eight years of TTI support. During the previous six regional meetings, SATTs shared their experiences on their successes and lessons as think tanks (TTs) and their strategies and approaches towards strengthening organisational capacity, improving research quality and enhancing outreach. Regional meetings have indeed created the platform where TTs also got an opportunity to understand each other’s challenges in policy engagement. TTs did examine the contexts within which they function, and how to bring innovation in their approaches to face new challenges emanating at the national and global levels.
Taking cues from the earlier regional meetings, RM7 will explore how the support from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) to the South Asian cohort of Think Tanks (SATTS) has strengthened their capacities to generate new knowledge and become more effective in policy engagement. The SATTs will also discuss how they will continue to pursue their policy engagement in the coming days once TTI withdraws its support to them.
In the above context, the theme of the RM7 has been chosen to be “Remaining Relevant in the Policy World: Sustainability Challenges of Think Tanks.” The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) and BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD) will organise RM7 during 5-7 February 2018 in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
2. Objectives of RM7
CPD and BIGD seek to organise a South Asian Regional Meeting of all the grantees of the TTI. The key objectives for the RM7 are as follows:
- Take stock of and showcase activities of the participating think tanks to understand what has changed during the TTI support phase;
- Share learning process on innovative research methods and tools, tapping into new evidence sources, advanced ways of policy engagement and innovative communication strategies to expand outreach;
- Understand the future of the TTI supported TT cohort and develop elements of post-TTI strategy in order to sustain the network of the TT cohort.
3. Agenda for the Meeting
Session 1: Talking Heads
This session will take stock of the TTI experience where the heads of the TTs will reflect on and present their stories of change.
Discussions of individual country context and how this has created opportunities and challenges for new areas of work and funding. Here we should deliberate on limitations, more than on successes of core support. That is, we would reflect on things that could be done better. It is also important that we collectively discuss where we could not put core support to best use.
Session 2: Sustainable Think Tank (STT) Project
The Sustainable Think Tanks (STT) Project aims to capture the experience and lessons from this unique core support programme of the TTI. The project will document the status of social science research in South Asia with respect to its impact on think tanks and public policy discourse.
This session will elaborate on the project and report the work in progress. A video presentation on the stories of TTs may complement the discussion of the session.
Session 3: Debriefing of the TTI Team by the Grantees
This session will provide a meta-view about the TTI’s activities in South Asia. The session may also provide cross-regional TTI experience. Finally, TTI managers will reflect how they would have run the programme differently given another chance
Session 4: Remembering Saman Kelegama
This session will reflect on the contribution of one of South Asia’s thought leaders, late Dr Saman Kelegama, former Executive Director of the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), who had dedicated his professional life in promoting South Asian integration.
The theme of the session is “South Asia at Cross Roads: Role of Thought Leaders as Change Agents.”
Session 5: Think Tanks in South Asia: The Last Jedi in SDG Challenge
As a region, South Asia has promising prospects and dynamism to build a sustainable future for all. However, the current political stalemate in the region is holding back or not allowing the region to achieve its potential through regional cooperation.
In this connection, this session is planned to explore whether the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide an opportunity for the region to help transform itself. The session will also examine whether the think tanks in South Asia can play a role in internalising and implementing the 2030 Agenda in a regional framework. It is envisaged that through this, the think tanks will contribute towards breaking the current political stalemate.
Session 6: Ensuring Sustainability of Think Tanks? Finance and Beyond
The session will discuss sustainability in four different areas: (i) Quality of Research; (ii) Effectiveness of Policy Outreach; (iii) Finance; (iv) Human Resource.
In this session, participants will think of what methods and modalities of support are more suitable in the emerging funding landscape, and have some innovative ways to suggest to donors, keeping in mind the reality that TTI-type core funds are nearly ruled out in the current climate. While many donors are working with the think tanks, the resource flow is shrinking as the priorities are changing.
Speakers of this session will include members of the think tanks, development partners and the private sector. The objective of inclusion of the private sector is to connect think tanks with the private sector and have open exchanges. Currently, full appreciation of evidence-based policy influencing research among the private sector is largely absent. However, the private sector is not immune to national, regional and global challenges that have implications for all members of the society. How the private sector can work with think tanks towards addressing issues such as climate change, good governance, capacity building and empowerment, achievement of various targets under the Sustainable Development Goals, and other issues that are important for advancing developing countries should be discussed.
Session 7: Elements of Post-TTI Strategy
This session will be the continuation of Session 6. Once TTI ceases its support to think tanks, it is expected that the think tanks will continue to collaborate among themselves in areas of common interests. For the sustainability of the TT cohort, participants will chart out various strategies for both organisational sustainability and the network’s sustainability.
Session 8: Role of Southern TTs in Global Knowledge Ecosystem
Southern think tanks have always been marginalised in the global knowledge ecosystem. Being located in the South, think tanks of the region are considered local while the northern think tanks automatically assume the identity as “global” think tanks. Due to locational disadvantages, Southern think tanks remain outside the network which works on global issues even though many southern think tanks have equal competence as the northern think tanks, and the global agenda has relevance for southern countries.
This session will bring out the challenges of southern think tanks as regards being part of the global knowledge ecosystem and overcoming such problems.
Session 9: Do we meet again? Future of the South Asian Network
This session will discuss the sustainability of the network that has developed and strengthened during the TTI period. The TTI awardees should go home with a sense of purpose. This session will also summarise the takeaway from previous sessions during the 3-day long meeting.
4. Participation
In continuation of the previous regional meetings, each think tank will nominate up to four (4) (Executive Director + 3) participants to attend the meeting. The participants may include professionals from research, communication and HR divisions. This will allow discussions around research and organisational issues including finance and outreach activities.
In addition to TTI-supported South Asian TTs, about 12 participants from a number of TTs from Myanmar will join the regional meeting for the first time. This is in view of the prospective support of IDRC to a few TTs in Myanmar. RM7 will provide them with an exposure to the activities undertaken by the SATTs, the challenges faced and the successes achieved through TTI support. For the Dr Saman Kelegama Memorial Lecture, we will invite the family members of Dr Kelegama (wife and two children). Besides, there will be about 14 participants for the Gender workshop to be help prior to the formal opening of RM7 (concept note presented below). In total, there will be about 100 participants at RM7.
Programme
Sunday, 4 February 2018 |
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Workshop on “Gender for research and organisational excellence” |
|
| 09:30 am – 10:00 am | Registration and Reception |
| 10:00 am – 10:05 am | Welcome |
| 10:05 am – 10:10 am | About the session |
| 10:10 am – 12:40 pm | Gender in research |
| 12:40 pm – 01:30 pm | Lunch (interactive) |
| 01:30 – 03:00 pm | Gender in organisational excellence Interactive Session |
DAY 1: Monday, 5 February 2018 |
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| 08:30 am – 09:00 am | Reception |
| 09:00 am – 10:00 am
Venue: Main Auditorium |
Setting the Scene
Objectives of this opening session are to contextualise RM7, overview of the programme and expected outcome Promo Video Welcome Remarks Fahmida Khatun Sultan Hafeez Rahman Speakers Andrew Hurst Guest of Honour Sir Fazle Hasan Abed Remarks by the Chair Rehman Sobhan |
| 10:00 am – 10:30 am Venue: Staircase at the entrance to the field & auditorium foyer |
Photo Session (Staircase at the entrance to the field) and
Refreshments (Foyer) |
| 10:30 am – 01:00 pm Venue: Main Auditorium |
Session 1
Stories of Change This session will take stock of TTI experience. Members of TTs will reflect on their Stories of Change. TTs are encouraged to bring a 3-minute video on TTI’s contribution to their organisations. Discussions of individual country context and how this has created opportunities and challenges for new areas of work and funding. Here, we should focus on limitations, more than on successes of core support. That is, we would reflect on things that could be done better. It is also important that we collectively discuss where we could not put core support to best use. Moderator Shekhar Shah |
| 01:00 pm – 02:00 pm Venue: Open Deck |
Lunch |
| 02:00 pm – 03:00 pm Venue: Main Auditorium |
Session 2
Sustainable Think Tank (STT) Project The STT Project aims to capture the experience and lessons from this unique core support programme of the TTI. The Project will document the status of social science research in South Asia with respect to its impact on think tanks and public policy discourse. Moderator Ajaya Mani Dixit Reflections Three Executive Directors of TTI-funded organisations will share their TTI experiences. Khalida Ghaus Udan Fernando Yamini Aiyar Core members of the STT Project will also be available for comments. Closing Remarks Sukhadeo Thorat |
| 03:00 pm – 03:30 pm
Venue: Open Deck |
Refreshments |
| 03:30 pm – 05:00 pm Venue: Open Deck |
Session 3
Debriefing of the TTI Team by the Grantees This session will provide a meta-view about the TTI’s activities in South Asia. The session may also provide cross-regional TTI experience. Finally, TTI managers will reflect how they would have run the programme differently given another chance. Moderator Sultan Hafeez Rahman Conversation with: Andrew Hurst Samar Verma Seema Bhatia-Panthaki Senior Program Officer Shannon Sutton |
| 05:15 pm – 06:15 pm
Venue: Main Auditorium
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Session 4
Remembering Saman Kelegama South Asia at Cross Roads: Role of Thought Leaders as Change Agents The session will begin with a video on Late Dr Saman Kelegama
Mustafizur Rahman Opening Remarks Dushni Weerakoon Remarks by the family members of Late Dr Saman Kelegama Reminiscence by TT Community This will be an open platform for all colleagues to share memories of Saman Kelegama. Closing Reflections Rehman Sobhan |
| 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm Venue: Open Deck |
BBQ Dinner |
DAY 2: Tuesday, 6 February 2018 |
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| 08:30 am – 09:00 am
Venue: Dining Hall 3/4/5 |
Welcome Tea/Coffee |
| 09:00 am –11:00 am Venue: Main Auditorium |
Session 5
Think Tanks in South Asia: The Last Jedi in SDG Challenge As a region, South Asia has promising prospects and dynamism to build a sustainable future for all. However, the current political stalemate in the region is holding back or not allowing the region to achieve its potential through regional cooperation. In this connection, this session is planned to explore whether the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide an opportunity for the region to help transforming itself. The session will also examine whether the think tanks in South Asia can play a role in internalising and implementing the 2030 Agenda in a regional framework. It is envisaged that through this, the think tanks will contribute towards breaking the current political stalemate. Moderator Debapriya Bhattacharya |
| 11:00 am – 11:30 am Venue: Auditorium Foyer |
Refreshments |
| 11:30 am – 01:00 pm Venue: Main Auditorium |
Session 6
Ensuring Sustainability of Think Tanks: Finance and Beyond There will be four groups, each facilitated by one member of a TT. Each group will come up with a set of recommendations for sustainability in the assigned area through brainstorming. A minimum of 12 participants should be in each group. Each group will select one facilitator and one presenter. Key questions for discussion Group 1: Quality of Research
Group 2: Effectiveness of Policy Outreach
Group 3: Finance
Group 4: Human Resource
Presenters report back to the Plenary Session. Moderator Dushni Weerakoon Panellists Sanjay Kumar Nitin Chaubey Khondaker Golam Moazzem Mahtab Uddin Ahmed Michael Foley Jane Edmondson |
| 01:00 pm – 02:00 pm Venue: Open Deck |
Lunch |
| 02:00 pm – 03:30 pm Venue: Main Auditorium |
Session 7
Elements of a Post-TTI Strategy Once TTI ceases its support to think tanks, it is expected that the TTs will continue to collaborate among themselves in areas of common interests. For the sustainability of the TT cohort, participants will chart out various strategies for both organisational sustainability and the network’s sustainability. This session is a continuation of Session 6. Session 7 takes a deeper look at financial sustainability – especially in a post-TTI scenario. Each TT is devising its own options in a post-TTI scenario. Clearly, these are confidential decisions and TTs may not want to discuss these in a public forum. However, this session attempts to have a general discussion regarding various possibilities. This session will also explore possibilities for collaboration among TTs. In theory, there is considerable merit for TTs to collaborate as knowledge partners. However, in practice, such partnerships are not common. Often TTs are competitors for grants. There are also political sensitivities towards decisions with regard to such collaboration. There will be three groups, each facilitated by one member of a TT. Each group will come up with a set of recommendations for sustainability in the assigned area through brainstorming. A minimum of 15 participants should be in each group. Each group will select one facilitator and one presenter. Key questions for discussion Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
Moderator Anshu Bharadwaj Open Discussion Closing Remarks by the Moderator |
| 03:30 pm – 04:00 pm Venue: Auditorium Foyer |
Refreshments |
| 04:00 pm – 06:00 pm | Networking and Game (Badminton, carom, table tennis, etc.) Time |
| 07:00 pm – 10:00 pm Venue: Main Auditorium |
Cultural Programme and Dinner |
DAY 3: Wednesday, 7 February 2018 |
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| 08:30 am – 09:00 am
Venue: Dining Hall 3/4/5 |
Welcome Tea/Coffee |
| 09:00 am – 11:00 am Venue: Main Auditorium |
Session 8
Role of Southern TTs in Global Knowledge Ecosystem Southern TTs have always been marginalised in the global knowledge ecosystem. Being located in the south, TTs of the region are considered local while the northern TTs automatically assume the identity as “global” think tanks. Due to locational disadvantages, southern TTs remain outside the network even though many southern TTs have equal competence as the northern TTs, and the global agenda has relevance for southern countries. This session will bring out the challenges of southern TTs of being part of the global knowledge ecosystem and how to overcome such problems. The participants will be divided into four groups. These groups will brainstorm and come up with a set of recommendations on the theme. A minimum of 12 participants should be in each group. Each group will select one facilitator and one presenter. Key questions for discussion Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
Group 4
Presenters report back to the Plenary Session. Moderator Mustafizur Rahman Panellists Shannon Sutton Sanghmitra Sheel Acharya Abid Suleri Nisha Arunatilake Subrat Das Salai Ngun Lian Sang Min Zarni Lin Open Discussion Closing Remarks by the Moderator |
| 11:00 am – 11:30 am Venue: Auditorium Foyer |
Refreshments |
| 11:30 am – 01:00 pm Venue: Main Auditorium |
Session 9
Do we meet again? Future of the South Asian Network Video on Visual Journey of TTI This session will discuss the sustainability of the network that has developed and strengthened during the TTI period. The TTI awardees should go home with a sense of purpose. This session will also summarise the takeaway from previous sessions during the three-day long meeting. Moderator Debapriya Bhattacharya Panellists Andrew Hurst Sultan Hafeez Rahman Khalida Ghaus Shekhar Shah Fahmida Khatun Open Discussion Closing Remarks by the Moderator |
| 12:30 pm – 01:30 pm Venue: Open Deck |
Lunch |
| 02:00 pm – 05:00 pm | Cricket Match |
| 05:00 pm – 06:00 pm Venue: Open Deck |
Refreshments |
As the second phase of Think Tank Initiative (TTI) is coming to an end, weaving a discussion reflecting on the experience of the TTI grantees will generate a coherent stock of knowledge, which will have pragmatic value in making the ways towards future. We encourage the TTI grantees to share their experience and voice their opinion while commenting on others in this Discussion Board. The knowledge generated through this discussion will be compiled and shared during Think Tank Initiative’s 7th South Asia Regional Meeting 2018.
Strengthening independent policy research institutions in developing countries.
The Think Tank Initiative (TTI) is dedicated to strengthening the capacity of independent policy research institutions in the developing world. Launched in 2008 and managed by Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), TTI is a partnership between five donors.
TTI currently provides 43 think tanks in 20 countries with core, non-earmarked funding. This support, which comprises up to 30 percent of their operating budgets, allows the institutions to attract, retain and build local talent, develop an independent research program, and invest in public outreach to ensure that research results inform and influence national and regional policy debates.
TTI seeks to nurture the long-term sustainability of the think tanks it funds. As such, core funding is combined with dedicated capacity development support by program officers and external experts in three broad areas: research methods and skills, policy engagement and communication, and general organizational effectiveness. TTI also supports peer-to-peer review, learning and exchange.
Visit TTI website.
South Asian Think Tanks
BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD, formerly IGS)
South Asia: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Research areas: Economics, Governance
Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP)
South Asia: Bangalore, India
Research areas: Development, Environment & Natural Resources, Governance, Information & Communication
Centre for Budget and Governance Accountability (CBGA)
South Asia: Delhi, India
Research areas: Economics, Food & Agriculture, Governance
Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD)
South Asia: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Research areas: Development, Economics, Environment & Natural Resources, Food & Agriculture, Social Policy
Centre for Policy Research (CPR)
South Asia: Delhi, India
Research areas: Development, Economics, Environment & Natural Resources, Governance, Social Policy
Centre for Poverty Analysis (CEPA)
South Asia: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Research areas: Development, Environment & Natural Resources, Evaluation, Governance, Social Policy
Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS)
South Asia: Delhi, India
Research areas: Development, Governance, Health, Social Policy
Indian Institute of Dalit Studies (IIDS)
South Asia: Delhi, India
Research areas: Development, Governance, Social Policy
Institute for Social and Environmental Transition – Nepal (ISET-N)
South Asia: Kathmandu, Nepal
Research areas: Development, Environment & Natural Resources, Food & Agriculture, Governance
Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS)
South Asia: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Research areas: Economics, Food & Agriculture, Governance, Social Policy
National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER)
South Asia: Delhi, India
Research areas: Development, Economics, Food & Agriculture, Social Policy
Public Affairs Centre (PAC)
South Asia: Bangalore, India
Research areas: Development, Environment & Natural Resources, Governance
Social Policy and Development Centre (SPDC)
South Asia: Karachi, Pakistan
Research areas: Development, Economics, Governance, Social Policy
Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI)
South Asia: Islamabad, Pakistan
Research areas: Economics, Environment & Natural Resources, Food & Agriculture, Health, Social Policy
Conference Video
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