Global Think Tank Town Hall II

May 13, 2020 at 8:30 AM (EDT). Click here for time zone conversions.

Solidarity and Solutions To Save Lives and Livelihoods

The COVID-19 crisis has been a catastrophic global emergency. Everything has changed, and there is much uncertainty about the challenging reality of what lies ahead. As the virus continues to spread, reinforcing national boundaries, Think Tanks have a vital role to play in fostering global solidarity and innovative collective models for policy planning and advancement.

To begin shaping a way forward, we need to find an economically and socially viable path that is structured around safeguarding lives and livelihoods. This notion emphasizes the need to solve the virus and preserve the economy first, rather than reimagining the future, post-pandemic. Collectively, to navigate the crisis, strategic thinking should center around:  Response, Resilience, Recovery and Reform.

On April 7th, 2020, over 375 Think Tank executives and scholars from 183 institutes in 75 countries registered for the Global Town Hall on Saving Lives and Livelihoods. Participants were invited to respond to the COVID-19 crisis and the new and unprecedented policy problems our communities and countries will face in the coming months -in addition to the existential challenges it presents to Think Tanks.

Townhalls build trust and confidence; they bring people together to create a sense of community, while also motivating and preparing members to act.

The objectives of the Town Hall were clear:

•   To share the strategies and skills that are necessary for crisis management, decision-making and fundraising

•   To understand how Think Tanks should redirect institutions, staff and research programs to meet the new and radically altered policy environment

•   To mobilize and support Think Tanks around the world so they can better serve policymakers and the public in the countries where we operate

Think Tanks have demonstrated their ability to produce high quality policy research and shape popular and elite opinion and actions for public good. In times of crisis, citizens look to traditional actors and rely on experts for reliable and trustworthy information -the time is now to seize the moment to facilitate the dissemination of expertise and intellectual leadership. Together, as a knowledge sharing network that stimulates innovation and growth, Think Tanks have the convening power to work with influential communities, civil societies, and individuals alike to build actionable insights.

While the crisis has required social distancing, we need to be a global community and look at creative ways to attack this pandemic. Taking advantage of opportunities to connect virtually will be key to advancing the continued relevancy and success of Think Tanks around the world. When stakeholders look to Think Tanks for research and innovative policy solutions, organizations must be ready with information and easily digestible strategies for government, civil society, and private sector decision makers.

The second global town hall is designed to serve as a catalyst for evidence based, policy relevant, action oriented policies and proposals to address the policy issues outlined below. The object is to develop a rapid and proactive response to the growing economic, public health and welfare crisis that has engulfed countries around the world.

Global Town Hall II: Solidarity and Solutions To Save Lives and Livelihoods

A 2nd Global Think Tank Town Hall will be held on May 13, 2020 at 8:30 AM (EDT). It will last 1.5 hours and will cover five topics:

1.     The Public Health Crisis: This rapid response working group will focus on issues related to the acceleration and augmentation of multinational cooperation in research and the development of drugs, vaccines, testing devices and other medical products, to achieve rapid breakthroughs that will immediately benefit the international community and potentially prepare and protect the world from future pandemics.  

2.     National and International Economic Recovery Strategies: The rapid response working group is will focus on understanding and responding to the looming global economic crisis and the possible interventions to rescue and rebuild the livelihoods of workers, while also stabilizing financial systems. It will also address deficits and revenues that could arise for national governments and ways forward.

3.     Innovative and Inclusive Intervention Public and Private Strategies to Help Vulnerable Groups: This rapid response working group will focus on how to advance policy frameworks that allow technology to be used in a manner that mitigates the spread of COVID-19, while also respecting human rights, limiting potential abuses, and combatting disinformation campaigns.

4.     Fostering International Cooperation -Creating Rapid, Responsive, and Resilient Systems to Respond to Future Crisis: This rapid response working group will focus on the virus and potential near-term future waves, and the likelihood of more viruses that could be even more devastating and disruptive. This group will focus on future global and local preparedness and cooperation, including social safety nets.

5.     Fit for Uncertain Future -New Operating Models for Think Tanks Research, Communications and Funding: This  rapid response working group will focus on a Think Tank survival strategy with respect to how Think Tanks can continue to operate efficiently during an economic crisis, how to manage relationships with partners, donors and allies, how to approach fundraising in the new circumstance, and strategic communications.

Working Groups

The Town Hall will be used to announce the formation of (5) International Interdisciplinary Working Groups (“IIWGs”) that mirror the topics set out above. The Co-Chairs of each working group will be identified, the mandate of that group will be outlined, and a mechanism for those think tanks that wish to join the working group will be established. It will then fall to the Co-Chairs to organize follow up meetings as necessary and to engage those institutions that wish to participate.

Outcome

The strategic objective will be to produce (5) short, action oriented, reports within 45 days following the 2nd Global Think Tank Town Hall. These will be conveyed to the T20 Secretariat for inclusion in briefing materials for the G20 and the outcomes will be discussed at a third, and final, Global Think Tank Town Hall.