Marrakesh 3 May 2016: The OCP Policy Center, the Economic Commission for Africa, and the Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program of the University of Pennsylvania (TTCSP) launched on 2 May the 3rd Africa Think Tank Conference, under the theme “Building a Sustainable and Secure Future for the People and Institutions of Africa.”
During three days, more than 100 participants from over 40 countries will explore ways in which Africa’s think tanks are making a difference in the continent’s transformation, and how they can advance a sustainable, prosperous, and secure future for all the regions in Africa.
The conference will cover areas such as the implementation of sustainable development goals, climate change and preparations for COP22, and ongoing efforts to introduce Africa’s Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA).
“This is the third and largest think tanks gathering in Africa. It will develop specific strategies and partnerships with other think tanks and governments throughout Africa to design strategies for sustainable institutions that will serve civil society and governments in the continent,” pointed out James Mc Gann, Director of the TTCSP.
This conference will also foster strong relationship between African think tanks and further strengthen linkages between think tanks and policy makers. Karim El Aynaoui, Managing Director of OCP Policy Center stressed the importance of building partnerships and sharing experiences among the African think tanks as well as creating spaces for deeper and high-quality dialogue between think tanks, experts and policy makers to promote sustainable development of Africa and a strong South-South cooperation.
How can think tanks integrate the international and global initiatives into national development plans, support their implementation as well as their follow up and review? Answering these questions can help shape the focus and directions for Africa’s Think tanks in the foreseeable future, added ECA’s Head of Planning Renewal Bartholomew Armah.
For more information about this event, please visit : www.ocppc.ma or follow us on Twitter (@OCPPolicyCenter; @CEA_ANcoms and @TTCSP).
Note to the editors
The Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program (TTCSP, www.gotothinktank.com) at the Lauder Institute of the University of Pennsylvania aims to raise the capacity of think tanks at the national, regional and global level to better serve policy makers and the public. TTCSP conducts research on the relationship between think tanks, politics and public policy and supports a global network of about 7000 think tanks.
Established by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in 1958, the Economic Commission for Africa (www.uneca.org) aims to to promote the economic and social development of its 54 member States, foster intra-regional integration and promote international cooperation for Africa's development.
OCP Policy Center (www.ocppc.ma) is a Moroccan think tank striving to contribute to an enriched reflection on key economic and international relations issues, from a Southern perspective. OCPPC provides a meaningful policy-making contribution in areas such as Agriculture, Environment and Food Security, Economic and Social Development, Commodity Economics and Finance, Geopolitics and International Relations.
Press release issued by:
Communication Team
Economic Commission for Africa
Office for North Africa
Tel: +212 (0) 537 548 749
Email: hfilali-ansary@uneca.org;cea.an.coms@gmail.com