eBASE Africa at the TEN Conference: Sharing Our Experience and Learnings

Conferences are valuable opportunities for advocacy, networking, and learning. They allow us to showcase our work, connect with others, and gain insights from the global evidence community. eBASE Africa was honored to participate in the second Transforming Evidence Network (TEN) Conference, held from November 19-21, 2024, in Cape Town, South Africa. The event was co-hosted by The Pew Charitable Trusts (Pew), the Pan-African Collective for Evidence (PACE), and the African Center for Equitable Development (ACED). It brought together around 300 scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and funders from various fields, including health, education, sustainability, climate, peace and security, international development, gender equality, and economic mobility.

In this blog, we share how eBASE contributed to the TEN Conference and what we took away from the experience.

How Did eBASE Contribute to the TEN Conference?

• The Opening Ceremony: A Storytelling Performance

 eBASE, in collaboration with South African storytellers, delivered a captivating storytelling performance during the opening ceremony. This performance demonstrated how storytelling can effectively engagingly communicate complex ideas and evidence. The eBASE and South Africa storytellers spent weeks rehearsing together, and their efforts were well-received. The performance set a positive tone for the conference, with one participant noting, "The performance was inspiring and set the stage for a conference filled with creativity and innovation."

• TEN Talks: Policymakers in the Driver’s Seat

During the TEN Talks session, eBASE presented under the title "Policymakers in the Driver’s Seat" (Les décideurs politiques au poste de commande). This talk highlighted the strategies eBASE has developed to ensure that evidence is used effectively in decision-making by policymakers and to sustain this practice over time.

The presentation focused on several key initiatives:

Policy Events: eBASE organizes events that bring together policymakers, researchers, and practitioners to discuss evidence-based approaches to pressing issues. These events create a space for dialogue and ensure that evidence informs policy decisions.

The Evidence Barometer: This tool measures the use of evidence in policymaking and helps identify gaps and opportunities for improvement. It serves as a critical resource for tracking progress and holding decision-makers accountable.

Needs Assessments: eBASE conducts assessments to understand the specific evidence needs of policymakers, ensuring that the information provided is relevant and actionable.

The REAP Online Platform: The Responsive Evidence for African Policy needs (REAP) is a digital tool designed to make evidence accessible to policymakers. It provides a centralized space for sharing research, best practices, and policy recommendations, making it easier for decision-makers to find and use evidence in their work.

Through these initiatives, eBASE is working to put policymakers in the driver’s seat, empowering them to make informed decisions that lead to better outcomes for communities. The talk was well-received, with attendees expressing interest in how these strategies could be adapted to their own contexts.

• Workshop: Introducing Evidence-Based Storytelling

 eBASE facilitated a workshop titled "An Introduction to Evidence-Based Storytelling." The workshop was interactive and engaging, featuring a video projection of The Coming of the Two Rivers. Participants were asked to sketch their understanding of storytelling after watching the video. Traditional games and concentration exercises helped create a sense of trust and collaboration among attendees. The workshop concluded with a presentation on storytelling concepts, methods, and processes, followed by a Q&A session.

The workshop was well-received and opened opportunities for future collaborations, including a planned workshop with the Kemri Institute in Kenya.

What Did We Learn?

The TEN Conference was not only an opportunity to share our work but also a chance to learn from others. Here are some key takeaways:

• The Role of Storytelling: The conference reinforced the importance of storytelling as a way to communicate evidence effectively. The performance and workshop showed how storytelling can make complex ideas more accessible.
• Building Connections: The event allowed eBASE to connect with other organizations, such as the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) and the Kenyan Institute for Puppet Theatre. These connections will support future collaborations and knowledge-sharing.
• Inclusive Approaches: The involvement of participants from different countries highlighted the importance of inclusive decision-making. It was inspiring to see how innovative approaches can be adapted across various contexts.
• Continuous Learning: The interactive nature of the symposiums and workshops encouraged reflection and learning. We discovered new ways to share knowledge, such as through podcasts and interviews, which we plan to use in our future work.
   

Lessons

The experience provided valuable lessons:

• Indigenous Methods in Global Settings: The conference highlighted the potential of indigenous storytelling methods, like ETD (Evidence Tori Dey), to influence knowledge and behavior globally.
• Collaboration Across Borders: The involvement of participants from different regions emphasized the importance of working together to share knowledge and implement innovative approaches.
   

Conclusion

The TEN Conference was a meaningful experience for eBASE. It allowed us to showcase our work, learn from others, and build connections within the global evidence community. Storytelling played a central role in our participation, and we look forward to continuing to explore its potential in our future projects.

The lessons learned from the TEN Conference will guide our approach to advocacy, networking, and knowledge-sharing. We are grateful for the opportunity to have been part of this event and look forward to future collaborations that will contribute to positive change in our communities.