Supporting countries in learning from one another and using research and innovation in education policy and practice is at the heart of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) Knowledge and Innovation Exchange (KIX), a joint endeavour with Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC). Recently, GPE and IDRC approved an extension for KIX to strengthen and expand its support for actionable evidence for education systems up to 2027.
KIX regional hubs, led by regional learning partners (RLPs), will remain a core part of KIX’ work in the extension. They will continue to surface regional education priorities, facilitate inter-country knowledge exchange, learning, and collaboration among national education stakeholders, and mobilize education evidence, including results generated by KIX applied research projects, into use. As RLPs finalize the proposals for their continued work throughout the KIX extension, they gathered in Ottawa for a three-day workshop. This was an opportunity to strengthen connections and collaboration between hubs, to take stock of the successes and challenges faced in the first phase of KIX, and to co-create strategies to drive impact – within their own regions and collectively – over the next four years.
“I’m excited to build on these last four years of relationships with governments and local education groups, strengthening them for the next phase of KIX. I’m also excited about the chance to support African researchers, especially young and emerging researchers and female researchers.”
Maryann Dreas-Shaikha, KIX Africa 19 Hub
Each hub had the opportunity to present their plans for the extension and receive feedback based on other hubs’ knowledge and experiences. Participants also set the agenda for inter-hub discussions on key themes and issues for KIX, including promoting gender equality, equity, and inclusion, conducting research on teaching and learning in emergency contexts, engaging with Ministries of Education to promote the uptake and use of evidence, and mobilizing knowledge generated by KIX applied research projects. Taking all of the ideas and suggestions shared into account, hubs developed a roadmap to guide the development of their proposals and their work throughout the KIX extension.
Members of the KIX Africa 21 Hub Fatimata Ba Diallo and Abdel Rahamane Baba-Moussa strategize with KIX Senior Program Specialist Hamidou Boukary.
Maryann Dreas-Shaikha, of the KIX Africa 19 Hub, and Marina Dreux-Frotté, of the KIX EAP Hub, present suggestions from a group discussion on ensuring efforts to promote gender equality, equity, and inclusion are effective and contextually relevant.
Members of the KIX LAC Hub discuss shared priorities with the KIX Africa 21 Hub. They remarked on the similarities and strong potential for collaboration and learning exchange they found between small island states in the Caribbean and in West Africa.
