The primary objectives of the Consultative Meeting were to provide an overview of the Future Earth Africa Hub and its Leadership Centre, including details about their governance structures, operational frameworks, and strategic vision. Participants engaged in discussions to update each other on the progress of the Regional Nodes and Sustainability Science Clusters, highlighting their roles in advancing sustainability science across Africa. The meeting also served as a platform for collaborative discussions aimed at refining planned activities to ensure they align with regional priorities and global sustainability goals. Additionally, a key focus was the establishment of a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Working Group, which will enhance accountability and promote adaptive management practices..
The meeting featured an array of insightful presentations that provided a comprehensive overview of the FEAH and FEAHLC’s background, governance structure, and overarching mission. These presentations underscored the Hub’s critical role in spearheading sustainability science in Africa. Updates on the Regional Nodes and Sustainability Science Clusters highlighted significant progress and achievements, showcasing their contributions to addressing pressing environmental and societal challenges across the continent. Looking ahead, discussions covered planned activities for the coming year, encompassing capacity-building initiatives, research collaborations, and communication strategies designed to amplify impact and broaden stakeholder engagement.
A dynamic roundtable discussion allowed participants to share perspectives on key areas. A major focus was identifying priority research areas to align with regional and global sustainability agendas. Strategies for enhancing the skills of early-career researchers and sustainability practitioners were also explored. Additionally, the need for effective communication strategies to increase the Hub’s visibility and outreach was emphasized. Lastly, the importance of a robust monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) framework was highlighted to track progress and promote continuous improvement.
The Consultative Meeting marked a significant milestone in advancing the mission of the Hub to promote sustainability science across Africa. Through strengthened collaboration, strategic refinement, and the establishment of accountability mechanisms, the meeting laid a solid foundation for impactful initiatives in the year ahead.