Cameroon: Maiden Central African Think Tank Forum Opens with Actors Resolute on Optimizing Impact

By Synthia Lateu

YAOUNDE, September 20, 2023 – The maiden edition of the Central African Think Tank Forum organized by the Nkafu Policy Institute of the Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation has opened in Cameroon's political Capital Yaoundé.

The two-day forum that started on Wednesday, September 20, brings together think tanks from the Central Africa sub-region under the theme: “Optimizing the impact of think tanks in the Central Africa region.”

The over 25 experts are charting ways to maximize the influence of think tanks in the region amid limited recognition of their role in the fight against the plagues of this part of the African continent.

Dr Denis Foretia, the Executive Chairman of the Nkafu Policy Institute and Co-chair of the Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation highlighted the need for Think Tanks in tackling African societal challenges.

He said: "The main objective was for us to able to bring together think tanks from all Central African nations for the first time to ensure that we mutualize our efforts and make sure we have a good network of central African Think Tanks. This will involve collectively working together to tackle many of the challenges that we face in the sub-region especially the issues of job, the economic issues, the issues of governance and also the issues of peace and security."

The nine hours conference unfolded with keynote presentations on several topics including; practical strategies to increase the capacity and impact of Central African Think Tanks; the Role of think tanks in promoting regional trade and AfCFTA Implementation; the Role of Universities in Evidence Uptake and Think tanks and Public Engagement - Effective advocacy and policy engagement strategies.

Participating at the conference, the Regional Advisor of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Lancelot Ehode appreciated some of the issues raised during the session.

"One of the questions debated here is notably the question of funding which is very important not only in the lives of Think Tanks but also for collaboration opportunities between institutions like CRDI, the funder, and also to guarantee the independence of research," Lancelot Ehode said and added that this permits Think Tanks to be able to determine the topics they wish to talk about, research, and bring about concrete measures.

The Coordinator of the Center for Studies and Research on Economic Analysis and Policies with the French acronym, CERAPE, Bazika Jean Christophe said Think Tanks play a major role in bringing about development. "We cannot develop ourselves if we don't know the reality we want to transform. When we talk about reality, we see two things; the human being himself, that we need to master, and also his environment," Bazika Jean Christophe said.

He furthered that, think tanks are organizations made up of researchers, that reflect on questions that society asks itself to be able to progress. "Someone in the government or an administration has no time to think deeply about these questions but has to make decisions. For them to make decisions, they need some other person who makes reflections, makes analysis, and comes out with solutions."  Bazika Jean Christophe added.

Think tanks in Central Africa remain institutionally fragile and are yet to exert a real influence in fostering the emergence of an open society in the Central Africa subregion. To maximize their impact, think tanks must constantly optimize their strategies to strengthen their capacities.

Recently, think tanks have become key players in policy-making and the promotion of socio-economic development. They play a critical role in promoting open and transparent governance, the rule of law, respect for fundamental human rights, inclusive and sustainable conflict resolution and many more.

The Central African Think Tank Forum concludes on Thursday, September 21 with further discussions including; Think Tanks and the promotion of open democratic societies; How should funders support think tanks in the Central African region; leadership development in think tanks; think tanks and the media.