Round 1: Reflections from executive directors from South Asian think tanks
Summary
Panellist 1: Wijaya Jayatilaka
Executive Director, Centre for Poverty Analysis (CEPA), Sri Lanka
Jayatilaka began his presentation by remarking that the pandemic provides a unique situation where, even in the downturns, think tanks can find opportunities to re-strategise their approaches, strengthen borders, and redirect themselves towards the issues that have cropped up because of the pandemic.
He then shared the situation in Sri Lanka. He pointed out that almost the entirety of Sri Lanka had a severe outbreak of COVID-19, yet the country still managed to keep its death ratio on the lower side of the global death ratio. That is, Sri Lanka had a death ratio of 0.92% while the global death ratio stands at 2.16%. This bodes well for the country and its infrastructure.
Building from this, Jayatilaka spoke on the issues that were plaguing Sri Lanka. He touched on the fact that despite research being conducted by think tanks, the research is largely neither considered nor taken into account by the government. This causes a large gap in understanding and hence is a failure when solutions are presented. In the instances that benefits do go to the affected citizens, they are not equally distributed. The benefits are used for political reason and hence have a skewed delivery. This is accompanied by an information overload, especially on the internet, which is not monitored. In addition to this, when funds are presented for use in the pandemic, large amounts of the donations are used towards the interest of the donors and not towards the objectives that require them. This leaves large gaps in the welfare distribution of society.
Dr Jayatilaka concluded that there should be platforms where policy briefs and research is shared, which could help think tanks move more skilfully. He also called for this platform to be backed by a coordinated effort from think tanks and regional collective strength from the people.
‘A multidisciplinary approach can help in strengthening public health, subsequently building a better place for ourselves. The importance of collaboration to aid in this multi-pronged solution is relevant’.
🎧 Listen to Jayatilaka comments: https://youtu.be/BRDwARhIEuE
Panellist 2: Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri
Executive Director, Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), Pakistan
Dr Suleri provided an overview of the impact of COVID-19 in Pakistan and its present status. He then expounded on the changes that had been brought on in SDPI since the lockdowns started. The first change was the shift to working from home for a year and a half. He admitted that it was difficult and expensive at first, with the change in location and the software needed to ensure smooth functioning. The outcome of this, however, was a higher work efficiency and enhanced output, which they had not anticipated. The flexibility of the work-from-home situation boosted productivity.
Dr Suleri added that the reduction in funding from national and international sources, because of the redirection towards healthcare, had a negative impact on the functioning and research at SDPI. What helped in these times was the fact that SDPI has a multi-disciplinary base. As a result of the varied interests, they smoothly redirected themselves into social issues that needed addressing at that moment. This included social protection for the right target group, food security, and strengthening public health infrastructure.
Dr Suleri moved on to discuss the work that SDPI was engaged in during the pandemic. The first six months were largely dedicated to webinars and roundtables for stakeholder consideration. Dr Suleri also worked on policy recommendations for the government of Pakistan, which were adopted by the government. One such was a food security portal that gave real-time information on food stocks, demand, and price fluctuations. Dr Suleri also emphasised the importance of social media in a time of lockdowns and online communities. SDPI launched a vaccination campaign on their social media channel to encourage citizens to get their shots and be safe. This also helped them work closely with stakeholders, both national and international.
He concluded by highlighting the importance of flexibility and having a varied approach, as that is what helped SDPI stay active and relevant in these times.
‘Reduction in funding from national and international sources had a negative impact on the functioning and research at SDPI’.
🎧 Listen to Dr Suleri’s comments: https://youtu.be/Krd_rsG3aQs
Panellist 3: Dr Fahmida Khatun
Executive Director, Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), Bangladesh
Dr Fahmida Khatun began by noting what a timely initiative the conference was, with the positive effect of sharing the lessons each think tank has learnt and using the takeaways in your own strategies. Dr Khatun then went onto echo Dr Suleri on the difficulties of a new working environment and the need to adapt quickly.
She remarked that the online working system also allowed scope for more increased efficiency and skill enhancement. On the downside, however, was the fact that working hours had dramatically increased. She noted that as the entire world was working online, they were connected to their devices for longer hours, and had to be more accessible. The breakdown of working hours, paired with the stress of the pandemic, led to high work pressure. This was paired with the confinement and isolation that the lockdowns brought upon each one of them.
One of the key takeaways that Dr Khatun noted from such an experience was the need for better technological infrastructure. With employees having different digital devices and different connectivity, the management of human resources was more difficult. In addition to this, online resource use dramatically increased with surveys, interviews and data collection now taking place over the internet. This increase in online resource use has to be backed up by infrastructure.
Dr Khatun went on to speak on the disconnect between think tanks and governments in Bangladesh. Dr Khatun believes in research and data-backed policy recommendations, yet the government was disinterested in recommendations from non-state actors, which she noted is a bureaucratic exercise. This is in light of the fact that the government does not have their own data that they can rely on.
In her conclusion, Dr Khatun expressed the idea that this is the time to contribute. Generation of research and data is critical to arrive at policy recommendations.
‘Despite the large data collection exercise that think tanks were participating in, there seemed to be a disconnect from the government in receptivity’.
🎧 Listen to Dr Khatun’s comments: https://youtu.be/Dt9aLrTYeNs
Panellist 4: Kanchan Mani Dixit
Executive Director, ISET-Nepal, Nepal
Kanchan began his presentation with a reflection of the situation in Nepal. He shared that the number of deaths caused by COVID-19 has been relatively low in the country but the situation has nonetheless been extremely difficult. In the first wave, the age group affected was elderly but with the second wave, adults between 20–40 were largely affected too. This is also furthered by the fact that in the first wave, there was a rush for sanitisers and masks, but in the second wave, there was a rush for oxygen, ventilators and hospital beds. Kanchan also described the efforts of the government, starting with isolation centres and quarantine centres, which were then replaced with home isolation in the second wave.
Kanchan then delved into the impact that the pandemic had on technology. On one hand, because of lockdowns and social distancing, farmers in Nepal have had greater access to technology, which has helped them to be directly in touch with consumers. This has helped them understand where their primary markets are. On the other hand, for organisations working from home, there have been problems with network and Wi-Fi. He furthered this by echoing Dr Khatun on her view about the confinement and isolation felt by employees.
He then went on to expound on the workforce issues that have been plaguing ISET-Nepal, in particular with managing and retaining staff. Employees have been facing intense isolation and alienation, sickness of their own or of family members and in some cases a death in the family. In these cases, it has been hard to achieve productivity and retain employees.
Leading into the government efforts during COVID-19, Kanchan commented on the lack of recognition that the government of Nepal has for NGOs. He noted that the government believes that all NGOs are the same, and thus approaching and giving recommendations to the government has been a hurdle.
The government has also required 20% of its budget to go towards COVID-19 relief, which has been another obstacle since donors and funders didn’t agree with the allocation. Mr Dixit noted then that his approach had to be different. The solution, he explained, was to modify the work plan to involve a COVID-19 context but to keep to their original objective.
Kanchan concluded by speaking on the challenges facing data collection; with lockdowns and social distancing, on-ground data has been severely impacted. The need to have RT-PCR tests before participating in studies has also caused hesitancy in joining. Mr Dixit sees a way forward with citizen-built databases, involving teachers, students and other members of society to help in gathering and analysing research.
‘The government is slowly recategorising think tanks and seeing the growing influence they have on the government’.
🎧 Listen to Kanchan’s comments: https://youtu.be/yEX6QPnfWrE
Panellist 5: Salai Ngun Lian Sang
Executive Director, Centre for Development and Ethnic Studies (CDES), Myanmar
Salai Ngun Lian Sang’s presentation began with an introduction of his organisation, the Centre for Development and Ethnic Studies, and the work that they engage in. He went on to talk about the COVID-19 situation in Myanmar, with the challenge of the shift to working from home because of lockdowns. The first three months were the most difficult as they had to review and change their activities based on situations presented by the pandemic. Mr Sang also commented on the fact that the government promptly reprioritised and put COVID-19 response at the forefront of activities. Civil society organisations also diverted funds into rehabilitation, in particular with labourers.
Asang also proudly commented that he has managed to retain his entire team and reported that they are all healthy and safe. He also commented on the hold that the military currently have over Myanmar. People have not taken kindly to the coup and have come onto the streets to show their dissent. Health workers are engaged in civil disobedience and there has been a slowdown in all processes. Data collection and research has also slowed down to a crawl. Mr Sang explained that in the midst of this, CDES could not take a neutral position; the military has been unjust and they must dissent too. Hence, they are currently not engaging with the government. Instead, they are supporting citizens, democratic people, and democratic officials of the government.
Asang concluded by stating that the CDES is not able to function as it usually does because of the state of the government. His staff is spread out nationally and internationally, and he too is in constant movement to ensure his safety. He concluded with a plea to the audience, to support the country and citizens of Myanmar in these difficult times, and to put pressure on the militia government.
‘The pandemic was a blessing in disguise; because of the online platform, meetings and informal discussion happened more frequently which allowed work processes to move faster’.
🎧 Listen to Asang’s comments: https://youtu.be/fIhyHnsOfOQ
Observations from discussants
Dr Jai Asundi
Executive Director, Centre for Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP), Bengaluru
Dr Jai Asundi began by discerning the significance of science and technology in these critical times and the fact that issues of food security, social protection and health care and climate change will be unsettled for a long period of time. He pointed out that interest in clean energy and medical services can fundamentally change the social order in times to come. In the COVID-19 recovery phase, the government should consider investing in these sectors.
Dr Asundi also highlighted his view on ‘no-cost extensions’ and put forth that ‘the cost is to the donor and not the entity’. He concluded by emphasising that with this ‘new normal’ there is a possibility of reducing fixed costs, which can then be diverted to other operational projects.
🎧 Listen to Dr Asundi’s comments: https://youtu.be/YqjgrA1WYoE
Nitin Pai
Co-Founder & Director, Takshashila Institution, Bengaluru
Nitin Pai shared the following:
- Think tanks that have a diversity of subjects have a better chance of coping with a crisis like a pandemic. This requires personnel to be skilled and have competencies to adapt to these different projects, and is the way to obtain affordable strategy.
- The role of technology in the continuity of working space is now becoming prevalent in operational and analytical fields; however, creative solutions and brainstorming has suffered. Specifically, the institutions that are involved in the domains of human rights, justice, service delivery, and listening to people have been hindered. The pandemic has also become one more tool for suppression.
- There is a need for effective political leadership with the right political agenda to engage a national approach. The government should set aside an appropriate and optimal budget towards science and technology, which can help in moving away from challenges faced currently.
He concluded by putting forth his conviction that there is a solution for many of the challenges faced globally and added that the intensity is different in different countries.
🎧 Listen to Nitin’s comments: https://youtu.be/i260Q9FvUpo
Summary of round 1
Gurucharan G thanked all the panellists for their different and interesting views and highlighted three main points upon which he believed we need to reflect:
- How the pandemic has brought home the extent of inequality in our society, and how it became apparent with reference to life vs livelihood.
- How gender has been pushed to the background. There has been a rise in domestic violence, along with an increase in common mental disorders like depression and anxiety in adolescent girls and women.
- The growing informalisation of the labour market and great digital divide of education for rural children.
What came next at the OTT Local Conference: South Asia 2021?
Think tanks and change
From think tank to change hub
Keynote by Anne-Marie Slaughter, CEO of New America
How do think tanks react to or foster change?
Read the OTT Annual Review 2020–2021
