Annual Conferencess
Hosted each year of the initiative by one of the African science academies, annual conferences have aimed to foster greater understanding of evidence-based policy advice and to highlight current public-policy challenges in which the rigor of an academy’s advisory processes could add value for decision making. These conferences are also a forum for sharing progress and knowledge gained through policy-advisory activities and for strengthening relationships among representatives from African science academies and the African policy making community. Summaries of annual conferences have been published and made available to key stakeholders. Previous conferences have focused on the use of policy advice from science academies for achieving the Millennium Development Goals and improving food security in Africa. The 2007 annual conference focused on the role of science academies in informing policies related to water and health. In addition to annual conferences, annual joint learning sessions have created a support network of African and US science academy staff involved in policy-advisory activities. These meetings have focused on collaborative problem solving, the exchange of best practices and strategies for project implementation, and practical training.
