Annual Meeting of the African Science Academy Development Initiative (ASADI)

1. Annual Meeting of the African Science Academy Development Initiative (ASADI) PRESENTED BY Name Carol Medlin, Senior Program Officer, Policy Research and Evidence (PRE)Date Tuesday, November 4, 2008

2. Translating Evidence into Policy and Practice • Framing the question • Models of “translation” • Modes of intervention • Examples of BMGF investments • Questions © 2008 Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation | 2

3. GLOBALDEVELOPMENTPROGRAM OUR PROGRAMAREAS GLOBAL HEALTHPROGRAM U.S. PROGRAM © 2008 Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation | 3

4. Framing the Question • What kind of information do African policymakers need to help inform their decisions? (supply) • More randomized controlled trials (RCTs)? • More impact evaluations? • More synthesis of different types of evidence and sharing of countries’ experiences • How to encourage evidence-based decision-making? (demand) © 2008 Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation | 4

5. Models of translation • Formalized global policy making – e.g. WHO guidelines and recommendations in global health • Informal mechanisms of global policy making – e.g. changes in policy and financing decisions by major international agencies • Other - ??? • E.g. Changes in malaria drug policy in African countries • Countries delayed, waiting for WHO guidance • External review of Roll Back Malaria partnership (2002) • Lancet article © 2008 Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation | 5

6. Modes of Intervention (mostly supply-driven) in translating evidence into changes in policy and practice • Strengthen the evidence base through specific research investments • Malaria: iPTi Consortium • TB: CREATE • Invest in people and institutions • African Science Academy • Brookings African Growth Initiative • Think Tank initiative • Support policy deliberations and convenings • No new evidence; but a fresh perspective of wide-range of stakeholders and experts to reach a consensus view © 2008 Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation | 6

7. Example of BMGF Investments in people • “Brookings Africa Growth Initiative” • $5.7 million/ 3 years • Purpose: to create within the US a stronger forum for debating African development policies, and to strengthen the influence of developing country perspectives on the global development agenda. • Distinguished Ministerial Fellows program brings former African policy makers to Brookings to participate in Brookings’ research projects and to conduct own research. • Also, Emerging Talent Fellows program focused on less well established African researchers and policy makers. © 2008 Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation | 7

8. Example of BMGF investments in African research and policy institutions • “IDRC Think Tank Initiative” • $40 million/ 5 years • Purpose: to promote objective, high quality, policy-relevant research institutions that inform development policy. • In 2009, will provide support for existing or newly formed think tanks in 11 African countries – • East Africa: Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda • West Africa: Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal © 2008 Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation | 8

9. Modes of Intervention (mostly supply-driven) • Strengthen the evidence base through specific research investments • Malaria: iPTi Consortium • TB: CREATE • Invest in people and institutions • African Science Academy • Brookings African Growth Initiative • Think Tank initiative • Support policy deliberations and convenings • No new evidence; but a fresh perspective of wide-range of stakeholders and experts to reach a consensus view © 2008 Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation | 9

10. Questions • Are we doing enough of the right things? • What tools are needed to help bridge the gap between scientific discovery and policy and practice? • Should we be thinking about creating demand for evidence, in addition to creating the supply of evidence? © 2008 Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation | 10

11. THANK YOU