The Regional Durable Solutions Secretariat (ReDSS) is proud to mark the launch of the East Africa and Great Lakes Regional Research Network on Forced Displacement — a groundbreaking initiative designed to strengthen evidence-based policymaking and promote locally led knowledge production across the region. The Network was officially launched during the International Conference on Global South Perspectives on Forced Displacement, hosted by Addis Ababa University on March 24-25, 2025.
Reclaiming Regional Narratives on Displacement
Displacement remains one of the most pressing humanitarian and development challenges across East Africa and the Great Lakes region. For too long, narratives about displacement in our region have been predominantly shaped by external voices and perspectives.
This imbalance underscores why the launch of the Regional Academic Network is so crucial: it affirms that those closest to the challenges — and the solutions — must lead the conversation. This network is not just about research; it’s about reclaiming agency, amplifying diverse voices, and grounding policies and programs in the realities of displaced and host communities.
Bridging the Research-Practice Gap
We must acknowledge the persistent gap between research and practice — between what we know and what we do. Research is often produced in isolation from policy processes, shaped by agendas and institutions far removed from affected communities, and frequently fails to reach decision-makers or those living with the consequences of those decisions.
This challenge is particularly acute in our region, where international funding often dictates research agendas and where academic institutions from the Global North maintain disproportionate influence. The result is a skewed evidence base that frequently fails to capture the nuanced experiences and priorities of displaced populations and their host communities.
Key Priorities for Transformation
Dr. Opportuna Kweka, University of Dar es Salaam, signs the network establishment MoU, as Dr. Michael Owiso from Maseno University looks on
If we, as actors working on solutions to displacement, are serious about supporting durable solutions, three key priorities must guide our approach:
1. Connecting Evidence to Action
We must bridge the gap between evidence and action by creating multi-stakeholder platforms that bring together researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and displacement-affected communities. This means fostering a culture where evidence actively informs strategy, investment, and policy decisions.
2. Localizing Research Leadership
The research process must be localized not just in name, but in structure, leadership, and ownership. Local researchers, universities, and think tanks must take the lead rather than serving as mere research assistants. Those with deep contextual understanding are best positioned to ask the right questions, interpret findings meaningfully, and propose practical, grounded solutions.
Despite regional resource constraints and declining development assistance, investing in local research capacity isn’t optional—it’s essential. We must also recognize and elevate the valuable work already being produced within our region.
3. Creating a Coordinated Regional Research Agenda
A common, coordinated research agenda for the East Africa and Great Lakes region will help align efforts, avoid duplication, and address critical knowledge gaps. This shared framework will ensure our work isn’t fragmented or driven by short-term institutional interests but instead guided by a collective vision for lasting solutions. Much existing evidence remains offline or inaccessible, making it difficult to build on current knowledge. Developing a regional, digital repository of displacement research, centred on local contributions, will make evidence more accessible and help shape an inclusive knowledge ecosystem.
The solutions agenda cannot be the exclusive domain of the aid sector. We need to broaden participation to include private sector actors, government institutions, local authorities, and communities themselves. This requires using language and frameworks that resonate beyond traditional humanitarian circles—communication that is understandable, relevant, and grounded in local realities.
ReDSS Commitment to the Network
At ReDSS, we believe that who conducts research, how it is done, and how it is used are just as important as what is studied. By rebalancing the locus of knowledge and investing in inclusive, regionally owned research systems, we can foster more relevant, impactful, and durable responses to displacement.
We are committed to supporting the Regional Academic Network, envisioning a future where local knowledge is not only valued but also funded, published, and utilized—where insights generated influence decisions made not just in Nairobi, Addis Ababa, or Kampala, but in Geneva, New York, and beyond.
ReDSS is partnering with the Network because we believe in co-creation, mutual learning, and the power of partnerships. We look forward to collaborating with academic institutions, local researchers, government bodies, and communities to build a more inclusive and impactful research landscape for displacement solutions in our region.
