Africa Evidence Network (AEN)

The #AENnewsletter for October is out now: https://lnkd.in/dkvDYBYq! This month, we feature some reflections by jan magoro, a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) consultant at the Pan-African Collective for Evidence NPC, who mentions that attending the South African Monitoring Evaluation Association SAMEA was a life-changing experience for him. We also feature Gloria Anderson's trip to the United States for the Summit of the Future, which was an amazing experience full of memorable moments, motivational gatherings, and chances to network with world leaders dedicated to creating a better future for young people everywhere. Andrea Elanga, a Communications Officer at eBASE Africa, wrote this month's blog on the importance of highlighting the diverse pathways into the evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM) profession and the different roles individuals can play within the evidence ecosystem. We welcome Precious Gombera, our #AENspotlight for this month. She is a Knowledge Specialist from Oxfam International who joined the Africa Evidence Network (AEN) because of her passion for #evidence generation and utilisation, particularly for social justice. She believes joining the #AEN will help her learn and share with others with similar interests. The new organisation is LEAP Africa, a youth-focused leadership development organisation committed to raising leaders who will transform #Africa through interventions for young people that bridge the gap in leadership, education, employability and entrepreneurship. As a mission-driven organisation, they recognise that youth leadership and inclusion are critical to nation-building and wealth creation. We also keep you abreast of the latest #EIDM opportunities, academic journal articles, and upcoming #evidence events. Enjoy the weekend reading!

Get ready for an exciting lineup of diverse voices from across Africa and beyond, Season 2 brings the stories of Evidence-Informed Decision-Making #EIDM to you! Starting with Deputy Minister Seiso Mohai’s exclusive episode recorded at #SAMEA2024 Listen here: https://lnkd.in/dfeENSZr Watch: https://lnkd.in/gbE7C4m5

If you still need to register for our #webinar this afternoon from 14:00 to 15:15 hours (SAST), you still have some time to participate in the discussions: https://lnkd.in/d4atphY5. The objectives of this session are to streamline evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM) processes relating to #evidence producers, intermediaries and users; identify ⁠potential transformations within these processes and connect processes to impacts.

We're thrilled to launch Season 2 of the #AENpodcast with our first guest, Deputy Minister at the National Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation; Seiso Mohai! Recorded live at the 2024 South African Monitoring Evaluation Association SAMEA Conference, this episode dives deep into South Africa’s evolution, key insights from the 30-Year Review, and the vision for the country by 2030. In just 20 minutes, you'll get an engaging Q&A, thoughtful reflections, and a look at how M&E can help shape South Africa’s future. Don’t miss it! Listen here: https://lnkd.in/dfeENSZr Watch: https://lnkd.in/gbE7C4m5

We'd like you to join us tomorrow from 14:00 to 15:15 hours (SAST) to learn more about innovative capacity development strategies that advance evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM) throughout the continent. Our expert panellists will discuss their views on the different #EIDM processes and any required transformation for more impact: https://lnkd.in/gz2b9THf.

Check out this great #EIDMcareer by J-PAL Africa.

A Community of Practice (CoP) on Citizen Engagement in Evidence-Informed Decision-Making (CE-EIDM) is being launched in the health sector by the World Health Organization in partnership with Cochrane and the Africa Evidence Network (AEN). The initial online meeting is scheduled for 6 November 2024, from 2:00 to 3:30 PM (SAST). By addressing a gap in evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM) where research evidence has frequently taken precedence over public input, this #CoP seeks to increase the role of citizen engagement in creating health policies. World Health Organization and its partners want to establish a collaborative environment for #CoP participants to improve their ability to encourage public participation in health and health-related policy processes. Anyone is welcome to attend the launch, and professionals involved in or interested in evidence-informed decision-making and citizen participation are encouraged to join this important event. Visit https://lnkd.in/dMgaCZBd for more information.

Have you registered for our #webinar on Wednesday, 30 October, from 14:00 to 15:15 hours (SAST)? If not, visit https://lnkd.in/gz2b9THf for more information and register today! You'll learn more about streamlining evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM) processes relating to #evidence producers, intermediaries and users. Our expert panellists will discuss how to identify ⁠potential transformations within these processes and connect the processes to impacts.

There's still time to register for our #webinar entitled: "EIDM Processes: Seeking Transformation for Improved Impacts" taking place on 30 October from 14:00 to 15:15 hours (SAST): https://lnkd.in/gz2b9THf. A nuanced understanding of these processes can foster equity and inclusiveness in formulating interventions for capacity strengthening that target systemic transformation, establish collaborations, and produce reliable strategies for developing evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM) capacity in #Africa. Our expert panellists will provide their opinions on the various #EIDM processes and any changes that should be made to increase their impact. Africa Evidence Youth League Pan-African Collective for Evidence NPC Firmaye Bogale Ethiopian Public Health Institute Harsha Dayal Vhumani Magezi Northwestern University Ronald Munatsi Justina Onumah (PhD) Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Ghana Kirchuffs Atengble PACKS Africa William and Flora Hewlett Foundation Siziwe Ngcwabe (BA Social work, MBA, MPM.) Chris Chibwana eBASE Africa The Center for Rapid Evidence Synthesis (ACRES) African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) South African Monitoring Evaluation Association SAMEA Cochrane Rehabilitation Cochrane Alliance for Living Evidence (Alive) Temitope Sogbanmu, PhD TEDI Tanzania Christine Kelly International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie) Eric Ngang (PhD) Beatrice E.A. Sankah (PhD) jan magoro African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) Pangaea Zimbabwe Bruce Chidi Lesedi Senamele Matlala, PhD Oxfam International IDinsight T. Arthur Chibwana International Centre for Evaluation and Development (ICED) Cambridge Network for Disability and Education Research (CaNDER) Research for Equitable Access and Learning (REAL) Centre B.M. Penka

Register now to attend our upcoming #webinar taking place on Wednesday, 30 October, from 14:00 to 15:15 hours (SAST): https://lnkd.in/d4atphY5. Comprehending the various processes involved in relation to the different actors, that is, #evidence producers, intermediaries, and users that are participating in the evidence ecosystem, is critical. Our knowledgeable panellists will discuss their views on the different evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM) processes and any required #transformation for more #impact.