KIX LAC present at the 5th KIX 2024 Global Symposium: “Promoting a culture of using evidence in policymaking: challenges and opportunities”

The 5th Annual Symposium of the GPE Knowledge Exchange and Innovation Initiative (GPE KIX), organized by the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), was held virtually on December 16 and 17.

This symposium explored diverse perspectives on the use of evidence in policymaking, drawing on the first-hand experience and insights of government officials, civil society organizations, researchers, global knowledge initiatives, and other key players in public policy in the education sector. In addition, the results of KIX in various thematic areas were shared, providing new perspectives and strengthening the debate on the use of evidence in policy making.

During the first day, Javier González, director of SUMMA, moderated the panel “National Evidence Ecosystems and Partnerships”, in which Raúl Chacón, director of KIX LAC also participated. This session discussed how ecosystems for the use of evidence in national educational policies work, identifying key actors, their operational dynamics and the challenges and opportunities to build effective alliances to promote the use of such evidence. Also participating in this space were Daniel Esponda, Minister of Education of Honduras; Laura Giannecchini, Institutional Development Coordinator of the Latin American Campaign for the Right to Education (CLADE); Katherina Hruskovec González, Country Engagement Lead GPE; and Donika Dimovska, Chief Knowledge Officer of the Jacobs Foundation.

This was followed by a second panel on Promoting Trust and Reciprocity between Researchers and Policy Makers, which explored examples of strong connections between evidence producers and policy implementers, and analyzed factors that strengthen or hinder trust and reciprocal relationships between these actors. Participating panelists were Martha Ekirapa, Deputy Director of Education and National Coordinator of the Kenya Primary Education Equity in Learning Project (KPEEL), Kenya Ministry of Education; John Mugo, Executive Director of the Zizi Afrique Foundation; Victoria Kisaakye, Director of the KIX Hub for Africa 19 and Senior Program Specialist at UNESCO IICBA; Esohe Eigbike, Country Engagement Lead, GPE; and Andrew Cunningham, Global Lead for Education, Aga Khan Foundation. The panel was moderated by Gita Steiner-Khamsi, Professor of Comparative Education, Columbia University & Lead Researcher KIX EMAP Hub, NORRAG.

During the second day of work, parallel sessions focused on KIX-supported thematic work, featuring research analyses, perspectives from representatives and end-users of KIX applied research projects, updates from KIX Centers, and reflections from AME Thematic Leaders. Topics covered included: out-of-school children and adolescents; data systems and use; gender equality and social inclusion; and teacher professional development.

The event culminated with thank you and closing remarks by Laura Frigenti, CEO of the Global Partnership for Education.