Since the foundation in 2010, On Think Tank acts as "global platform dedicated to the study and support of policy research centres," promoting initiatives to strengthen think tanks and their supporters through various programmes or projects that combine research and practice.
In this policy brief, the author identifies challenges we face in the current world based on variuos reports and papers by the World Economic Forum, United Nations, Oxfam and Ellen MacArthur Foundation. These challenges include increasing risks of impacts from climate change and perpetuating inequality. He concludes the piece by introducing an argument of a paper by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation that there is a possibility that artificial intelligence contributes to a more circular economy.
This guide addresses gender based inequalities in the context of G20, answering various questions such as what kind of commitments were made by the G20 on gender equity, how different actors can maximise opportunities to advance the agenda on gender equity, and what are the lessons learned from the advocacy efforts made in 2018 by the Think 20 Gender Economic Equity (GEE) Task Force.
Where to begin the efforts for achieving the SDGs is one of the biggest questions. Afrobarometer, which conducts public attitude surveys in more than 30 African countries, argues that one critical place to start is by asking the people. According to the public-opinion survey, SDG8, “decent work and economic growth” was identified as the highest priority. Nevertherless, the highest-priority sectors often record the worst government performance, and graphs in this blog demonstrates that there are much more work to be done in order to close this gap.
Achieving progress on the interconnected SDGs requires collective actions of broad networks of diverse stakeholders. In this context, new concept of 'systems leadership' emerged, where leaders from different sectors collaborate with the common vision to change the entire system. Based on the experiences of applying this concept in various sectors, the authors express an expectation for this concept to strengthen efforts to achieve SDGs.
The Government of Japan has decided to award the Third Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize to Dr. Jean-Jacques Muyembe-Tamfum (Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)) and Dr. Francis Gervase Omaswa (Republic of Uganda). Dr. Francis Gervase Omaswa is an active member of the Think_SDGs network.
Countries working for the achievement of SDGs are struggling to preserve the environment while persuing the economic growth. Professor Göran Tomson explains how scientists can play an important role in tackling such potential trade–offs between the SDGs, demonstrating some examples of conflicting goals. In order to leverage positive links and reduce the negative effects of others in the context of SDGs implementation, he concludes that providing platform where scientists and other stakeholders such as policy makers can come together and collaborate is crucial.
Based on the conference took place from 22-23 January in Kaduna State, Nigeria, the author summarises points argued there regarding the implementation of SDGs in Nigeria. The Kaduna State Development Plan is claimed to be aligned with the SDGs by adopting SDGs targets and indicators. The health interventions targeting the poorest children were identified as an important strategy for SDGs implementation by participants of this conference.
In order to address current challenges to relevance and credibility think tanks face, the author suggests five practical steps all think tanks can follow, in addition to a set of principles think tanks and their counterparts shall commit to in order to work together for the sort of peaceful and cooperative world their missions aspire for. The author also questions if it is sufficient for leading think tanks to sorely act as sources of objective debate and analysis when they can also further act with more proactive stance by being explicit about the principles they believe in.
Building on the case of Afghanistan, this blog post argues that SDG monitoring and evaluation must not be limited to the outcomes - ie the targets and indicators - but also include the processes through which these outcomes will be achieved, in particular the degree of inclusiveness of these processes.