Think tanks in democratic societies play a vital role in generating policy research, promoting ideas, and fostering discussion between the public and policymakers
By Boris Esono & Synthia Lateu
Barrister Nkongho Felix, founder CHRDA speaks during the Central Africa Think Tank Forum
YAOUNDE, September 21, 2023 – Think tanks in democratic societies play a vital role in generating policy research, promoting ideas, and fostering discussion between the public and policymakers. However, in young and emerging democracies, think tanks face several obstacles that make policy reform difficult.
"Think tanks are important because they can contribute to policy discussions, and debates and chart the course in which our states can follow. They can also help members of the opposition parties and also CSOs carve out good policy decisions,” said Barrister Nkongho Felix Agbor, founder of the Center for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa, CHRDA.
The human rights advocate was speaking on September 21 during the 2-day Central Africa Think Tank Forum organized by the Nkafu Policy Institute on the theme: "Think Tank and the Promotion of Open, Democratic Societies."
“Think tanks are extremely important and we need to encourage the culture of having think tanks in the country which might help us in emerging by 2035…” Barrister Nkongho Felix added.
“It does not make sense after doing research and publishing papers and nobody listens to you. Think tanks need to find a way in their advocacy and communication to have somebody who will be like their mouthpiece in the system so that these recommendations that they are making could be implemented.”
According to the National Endowment for Democracy, where the essential supporting institutions of political accountability, media pluralism, and civil society have not grown deep roots, policy decisions are made without broad consultation, public mobilization to support policy agendas is rare, and the goals of democratic reform are often at odds with the short-term interests of political incumbents.
The Central Africa Think Tank Forum that took place from September 20-21 in Yaounde, brought together 20 think tankers, policymakers, renowned researchers, and diplomatic missions, amongst others, is an occasion to brainstorm and map out best strategies, share experiences and good practices on how think tanks enhance their capacities to exert real influence in shaping policies and carrying out quality research for improved efficiency and a more visible impact within the continent and globally.
The 2-day Central Africa Think Tank Forum featured funders and international organizations and was a unique opportunity for think tanks in Central Africa to relate with stakeholders of the research community across the globe, pitch their projects, focus attention and develop the much-needed networks that would give their activities visibility and help build a democratic and freer society.
Barrister Felix Nkongho and Dr Denis Foretia, Executive Chairman of the Nkafu Policy Institute
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.
Around the world, think tanks focused on liberal democracy and free-market economies have been playing a growing role in governments and civil societies, often offering a bridge between research and policymaking, cultivating political discourse, and informing a range of stakeholders and decision-makers. However, the degree to which these think tanks have been able to affect policy agendas and make a measurable impact on local communities is less understood.
“Understanding the local context for think tanks is very important. As they say in Law, nothing exists in a vacuum; think tanks need to contextualize whatever they are doing, be it political, social or economic. A think tank in Washington would not do the same thing that a think tank in Cameroon would do,” Barrister Nkongho Felix added.
“You need to also understand authoritarian regimes. A think tank in Washington will publish its report and send it to the government without needing to have a meeting but a think tank in Central Africa and Cameroon might have to have a meeting with the people in government and not share all its findings in public and then lobby for some of these recommendations."
