OTT Conference 2026: Think tanks and trust

The OTT Conference 2026 brought together think tanks of various sizes and backgrounds from across the world, including FERDI – the Foundation for Studies and Research on International Development. The event also provided an opportunity to reconnect with several partners and networks engaged in strengthening the links between research and public policy in the Global South, notably the Global Development Network. 

• A co-designed programme developed with participants, featuring keynote presentations and parallel sessions on organizational culture, regional think tanks, collaborations between think tanks and universities, alternative funding models, and the impact of artificial intelligence on research ecosystems—topics that are rarely explored collectively in depth.
• Numerous networking opportunities and rich exchanges of experience, fostering meaningful dialogue among participants.
• The Policy Center for the New South as conference host, providing an exceptional setting, generous hospitality, and consistently high-quality discussions throughout the event.
• The inaugural session of the Women in Think Tanks Network, organized with the Mawazo Institute and hosted by the British Embassy, marking an important step toward building a community of practice dedicated to peer learning and institutional mentoring.