Our Impact
Promoting EIDM as a Career Path for Young People
Evidence-Informed Decision-making in Cameroon with Young University Students
Led by Penka Bogne, in Cameroon, a capacity reinforcement workshop was held for young academic researchers, focusing on the fundamentals of Evidence-Informed Decision-Making (EIDM) and rigorous research. This initiative aimed to equip students with the skills needed to generate reliable primary data, increase the production of French systematic reviews, and effectively utilise research conducted in Francophone Africa.
By reinforcing their capabilities, this workshop opened the door for youths to explore innovative career paths, such as research, data analysis, and guideline development. These efforts were supported by the AEYL online platform, further enhancing their professional growth.
Complementing the workshop, an EIDM advocacy talk on CRTV national TV highlighted the importance of institutionalising EIDM in Cameroonian academic institutions, with a focus on improving academic performance and fostering job opportunities in emerging fields for young people.
Empowering Futures: Guiding Students Towards Careers in EIDM
The Empowering Futures initiative was a dynamic mentorship program aimed at first-year students at the University of Cape Town (UCT), particularly those studying in the humanities and social sciences. Led by Zimingonaphakade Sigenu and Sabelo Mpisi, this workshop series provided valuable career guidance, with a focus on exploring compelling opportunities in Evidence-Informed Decision-Making (EIDM).
The program specifically targeted alumni of the 100UP initiative, a transformative project that supported academically strong students from resource-poor communities in Cape Town. By offering mentorship and career insights, Empowering Futures helped students shape their professional pathways and consider impactful roles in EIDM.
Building EIDM Pathways for Young Scientists in Malawi
Led by Elias Phiri, this initiative aimed to introduce young Malawian scientists to Evidence-Informed Decision-Making (EIDM) as a potential career path. By collaborating with the Science-for-All Initiative (SCI4O), the project incorporated EIDM into existing clinical and biomedical career subjects, broadening the horizons for aspiring scientists.
This effort sought to raise awareness and inspire young minds to embrace EIDM, laying the groundwork for a strong EIDM culture within Malawi’s scientific community. Through this integration, students gained exposure to the importance of making evidence-based decisions in their future careers.
Fostering Future Resilience: Empowering Child Legislators with EIDM Skills
The Future Resilience is in Evidence: Child Legislators Embracing Knowledge and Science (FRECKLES) initiative, led by Ashley Mamvocha, aimed to equip young members of the Junior Parliament of Zimbabwe (JPoZ) with essential skills in Evidence-Informed Decision-Making (EIDM). Recognizing the crucial role EIDM plays in advocating for children’s rights, the project empowered these young legislators to use evidence to shape policies, programs, and practices that best serve the interests of children.
As the first Junior Members of Parliament to engage with EIDM, this program sparked their interest in evidence-based advocacy while also encouraging senior legislators to adopt EIDM in their law-making, oversight, and representation efforts. This foundational training is designed to elevate the use of science and knowledge in Zimbabwe’s legislative agenda for the betterment of children’s futures.
Testimonials
Following the completion of the AEYL manifesto, we have been engaged in several activities, including mentoring students in Kampala to encourage them to stay in school. We have also participated in online engagements with university students and youth, largely to encourage them to complete their courses and learn employable skills. We have written a proposal to AEYL to secure funds for continuing our mentorship and career guidance in selected secondary schools in slums around Kampala, where dropout rates are high. The knowledge we base our activities on comes from AEYL’s peer learning and EIDM mentoring programs, which help shape and share innovations in education.
Uganda
I have been a member and reaped a lot from my experience with the Africa Evidence Youth League (AEYL) since September 2023. During this time, I have seen the emergence of a dynamic group of young education leaders across Africa, who, like me, are dedicated to Evidence-Informed Decision-Making (EIDM) in education. I was also involved in planning mentorship initiatives focused on peer and expert guidance. The AEYL has launched an online forum to facilitate collaboration and knowledge exchange, which I’m excited about. Lastly, I’m enthusiastic about AEYL’s work in promoting EIDM as a career path by partnering with educational institutions.
South Africa
Following the completion of the AEYL manifesto, we have been engaged in several activities including carrying out mentoring activities in a few schools in Kampala with the purpose of encouraging students to stay in school. We have also participated in online engagements with university students and youth largely to encourage them to complete their course and learn skills that increase their employability. All these follows the discussions we have heard within AEYL. We have thus written a proposal to AEYL to get some funds to enable us to continue with our mentorship and career guidance activities in selected secondary schools in Slums around Kampala. This is because slums have higher rates of school dropouts among both females (early pregnancies) and males (look for work to earn money). To be able to argue our case before policy makers, we need evidence to support the notion that mentorship and career guidance in solving the problem of school dropouts. In addition, the decision for us to select slum areas, is supported by existing evidence (data) from Uganda Bureau of Statistics that indicate that students in slums have higher chances of dropping out of schools as compared to those from non-slum areas. The knowledge and information we shall base on is derived from the peer learning activities of AEYL and the EIDM mentoring programs. This in addition to a formalized platform and forum for emerging education evidence leaders is helping in shaping and sharing of innovations in education including facilitating collaborations, networks and learning from each other. With this, we can learn but also mentor our youth back home and help to further appreciate the importance of evidence in shaping policy and behavior change in as far as education is concerned.
Uganda
I have been a member and reaped a lot from my experience with the Africa Evidence Youth League (AEYL) from September 2023. During this time, I have seen the emergence of a dynamic group of young education leaders across Africa, primarily MasterCard Foundation Alumni, who, like me, are dedicated to Evidence-Informed Decision Making (EIDM) in education. Iwas also involved in the planning of mentorship initiatives that focus on both peer and expert guidance. Additionally, the AEYL has launched an online forum, which I am excited about as it will facilitate collaboration and knowledge exchange among us and other like-minded individuals across the continent. Lastly, I am enthusiastic about the AEYL’s efforts to promote EIDM as a viable career path by partnering with educational institutions to introduce young Africans to this field through various educational activities.
South Africa
Blogs
A Decade Journey in Public Health and Evidence-Informed Decision-Making
Author: Firmaye Bogale
Strategising for Success: Mental Health in African Education Systems
Author: Ibrahim Bahati
Engagements
10th African Evaluation Association (AfrEA) Conference
Date: 18-22 March 2024
Country: Rwanda
Africa Evidence Week
Africa Evidence Leadership Award
The Africa Evidence Leadership Award recognizes individuals and organizations making significant contributions to advancing evidence-informed decision-making in Africa. This prestigious award highlights excellence in using evidence to improve policy and practice, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.
