This program aims to bridge the gap between knowledge generation and policymaking by enhancing research infrastructure, facilitating coordinated knowledge production, and promoting knowledge-based policymaking. The objective is to ensure that policies are informed by accurate, comprehensive, timely, and context-specific evidence, thereby fostering sustainable people-centered development.

The colonial period in Sudan laid the foundation for many challenges in the current knowledge systems. The absence of parliamentary oversight and executive accountability meant that policies were crafted without rigor and comprehensive information, leading to uninformed (and misinformed) decision-making. This top-down approach sidelined indigenous knowledge and perspectives of Sudanese communities, resulting in governance disconnected from local contexts and needs. This early twentieth-century governance model entrenched during the colonial period and reinforced by military tendencies, came to dominate the post-independence state in Sudan.

Sudan’s current research and policy landscape faces significant challenges due to structural and financial constraints. Research institutions, functioning as technical arms of the state to serve public interests, lack independence and sufficient funding, leading to subpar outputs disconnected from the needs of the public and industries. Key issues include limited collaboration, poor task distribution, frequent duplication of efforts, and significant administrative and financial overheads. These deficiencies result in fragmented research efforts, with no unified national agenda or measurable performance indicators.

Additionally, the isolation of research institutions from country issues and limited public participation exacerbate the situation. Limited access to education prevents many from contributing valuable local knowledge. Biases towards credible knowledge often exclude indigenous perspectives, resulting in top-down policies detached from local contexts. Communication gaps further hinder progress, with insufficient interaction among state institutions, academia, industry, and the public. The lack of a guiding framework for coordinating research and fostering community participation results in siloed operations and outdated, ineffective policies. Addressing these multifaceted challenges is crucial to creating a more effective, inclusive, and relevant policymaking environment in Sudan.

By leveraging advanced technologies, participatory research methods, and inclusive approaches, this program seeks to strengthen knowledge capacities both technically and institutionally. It aims to increase their independence to produce and disseminate objective knowledge, ultimately improving the quality of policies and driving sustainable development.

Knowledge systems program library