Attending the Global Evidence Summit in Prague, Czech Republic, was a remarkable opportunity for me to connect with distinguished delegates from around the globe within the evidence-informed decision-making ecosystem. The summit proved to be an extraordinary experience for both my colleagues from PACE and me. The week was bustling with activity, highlighted by our impressive stand that showcased the beauty of the African continent, adorned with captivating accessories that drew a diverse array of delegates. Many of these individuals have become friends and partners in our shared mission to foster a better world by integrating evidence in policymaking.
Now, let’s take a few steps backwards and talk about my experience travelling to Prague as a South African from Johannesburg.
The journey from South Africa to Prague via Doha was a true testament to patience and modern air travel's wonders. It began with a smooth take-off from Johannesburg as I waved goodbye to the sunny skies of South Africa and prepared for the first leg of the journey. Doha, a gleaming city in the desert, served as the perfect pit stop to stretch my legs and marvel at an airport that felt more like a luxury mall than a transit hub. By then, I had already mastered the art of balancing sleep deprivation with curiosity, wandering through duty-free shops and debating whether I needed that extra luggage.
Then, with just enough time to ponder whether camels or snowflakes were more appealing, I was back on board for the final leg to Prague. As the plane descended over the fairy-tale city, I realised I had travelled through three climates, swapping biltong for bratwurst. The journey may have been long, but with the right mix of in-flight movies, strategic naps, and snacks, I arrived ready to explore a city that seemed like it had been waiting centuries just for me, and it was the 9th of September 2024 😊.
Prague, oh, what a gem! Imagine if Europe threw a party and forgot to invite the clouds – that’s Prague. The city greets you with streets that seem to have been sketched out of a fairy tale, where cobblestones have been polishing themselves for centuries, waiting just for you. As a South African, where distances stretch far and wide, Prague’s compactness is a welcome shock – you can cross from one jaw-dropping gothic masterpiece to the next without needing a 4x4 or an extra sandwich. And the castles? They look like they were designed by someone who thought, “Let’s make this place so breathtaking that even Table Mountain would feel a bit insecure.” Anyways, off to the conference venue, and it was the 10th of September 2024:
Day 1: Opening Plenary, sustainable development agenda.
The opening plenary session of the Global Evidence Summit 2024 in Prague focused on how evidence can help societies navigate rapid scientific advances and global challenges. The keynote speaker, Jeremy Farrar, Chief Scientist at the World Health Organization, emphasised the importance of integrating science and innovation into health policy. His speech touched on the growing mistrust in science and the need for evidence-informed policies to address complex global issues such as health disparities and climate change. The session set the stage for the summit’s broader mission of fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration to improve evidence synthesis and its use in decision-making worldwide. This took place from 9:00 am – 10:00 am.
From 11:00 am – 12:20 at Hall D5, I was honoured to be included in the panel for the REAP session. The theme was “A responsive evidence system for African policy needs: insights from three years of capacity-sharing.”
The 1st presentation was from Dr Patrick Okwen from eBASE Africa, who shared insights from bringing together the mix of African pilot countries from French-speaking countries like Senegal, Niger, Chad and English-speaking countries like Kenya and South Africa.
The 2nd presentation was from Dr Zeenath Ishmail and Mr Faldie Esau from the Western Cape government. They shared their 3-year insights on the REAP project from a South African perspective as the Western Cape government.
The 3rd presentation was based on insights on technologies for capacity-sharing – Looking at AI. I had the privilege to co-present with Paulinah Teffu, the founder of Digital Solution Foundry and a board member of PACE. Her presentation was on the concept of co-intelligence, exploring the myths about AI and the opportunities presented by AI. I then concluded with a demonstration of the REAP online platform, which is a tool that is integral in providing a platform for collaboration between evidence providers in the African continent, assists government and policymakers with responsive evidence that is unique for their specific needs and to enhance the use of evidence policy making to address issues such as poverty, inequality, and health.
On the last day of the conference, I co-presented with Firmaye Bogale from the Ethiopian Institute of Health Sciences (EPHI) on the Digital Gender-inclusive Tools for Evidence-use Project. Our presentation was on digital tools and how they transform how data and evidence is generated, synthesised, and curated.
In conclusion:
The Global Evidence Summit 2024, held in Prague, was a pivotal event for advancing evidence-informed policymaking on a global scale. Experts, policymakers, researchers, and practitioners collaborated in a collaborative environment to share the latest research, tools, and innovations in evidence generation and use. With a focus on bridging the gap between research and policy, the summit underscored the importance of integrating high-quality evidence into decision-making processes to address pressing global challenges. It played a crucial role in strengthening international cooperation, promoting best practices, and ensuring that policies were informed by reliable, relevant, and timely data to achieve better outcomes worldwide.
About the author: Hector Moloko is a Business Analyst who specialises in using data and digital tools to solve complex problems and help leaders make better decisions across Africa. With his analytical skills and a sportsman’s mindset—focused, driven, and committed to teamwork—he creates practical solutions that drive success and positive change. Hector is passionate about staying relevant and helping teams achieve their goals through smart problem-solving and collaboration.
Acknowledgements: The author(s) is solely responsible for the content of this article, including all errors or omissions; acknowledgements do not imply endorsement of the content. The author is grateful to Charity Chisoro for her guidance in preparing and finalising this article, as well as her editorial support.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in published blog posts, as well as any errors or omissions, are the sole responsibility of the author/s and do not represent the views of the Africa Evidence Network, its secretariat, advisory or reference groups, or its funders; nor does it imply endorsement by the afore-mentioned parties.
Suggested citation: Moloko H (2024) My Global Evidence Summit Experience (GES 2024). Blog posting on 31 October. Available at: https://www.africaevidencenetwork.org/en/learning-space/article/373/
