The importance of mutual study

Facilitating mutual learning exchanges, including during policy making. For example, learning exchanges between health professionals and local health system managers across Brazil, China and the UK which identified valuable points of convergence on approaches to engaging patients in health systems. The European Engagement Initiative’s webinar series on youth employment and politics brings together representatives from academia, civil society, governments and UN agencies to strengthen development thinking and practice for more effective interventions for ‘the Covid generation’.

Webinars that bring together researchers, policy makers and practitioners and reach global audiences. For example, the Mahbub ul Haq Distinguished Lecture series, co-hosted with the Lahore University of Management Sciences, our anchor partner for the Pakistan Hub. The series aims to encourage globally renowned speakers to share knowledge towards ‘building forward differently’ in Pakistan and globally. In November 2020, IDS brought together researchers and a foundation working on food and racial inequalities in Brazil to explore how social movements and academics come together in progressive networks driven by concerns with food inequalities.

Mutual learning will continue to be fundamental to how we as a research and learning organisation operate. Going forward, we aim to open up our discussions on what it means and how best to facilitate mutual learning by building on the experiences of our networks. If you would like to take part and share your view, please contact Rachel Dixon or visit each initiative’s webpage.