Page 29 - AERC Strategic Plan 2 July2020

THE AERC 2020–2025 STRATEGIC PLAN

2020–2025 Strategic Goal

The AERC 2020–2025 Strategic Plan goal is to increase capacity for economic research
at universities across SSA, while influencing the creation of an enabling environment
within national governments to implement evidence-based economic policy to foster
stability and growth. By seeking to achieve this goal, the AERC would directly contribute
to the achievement of UN SDG 8 in SSA by promoting inclusive and sustainable economic
growth at the national level through increasing capacity and capability within ministries
of finance; central banks; other key institutions; and national agencies involved in policy
design, policymaking, and policy implementation.

Strategic Themes

Improve Quality

This will be achieved by transforming AERC’s capacity-building model to strengthen
research-output quality by using the collaborative research model to push thematic
research projects; creating mentorship programmes between senior and junior
researchers; providing appropriate and adequate access to AERC’s e-resources (research
publications; policy briefs; methodological technical research and faculty retooling
workshop materials; e-learning materials for JFE/SFSE elective courses; and the AERC
database) for its vast network of researchers, faculty, students, and policymakers; and
developing new modes of training delivery through digital learning.

Ensure Sustainability

Strong institutions are essential drivers of socio-economic transformation. AERC
provides an avenue of supplying researchers and policy analysts with requisite skills to
provide research-based policy advice to inform national policy-making and strengthen
critical institutions. Expanding access to AERC’s research and training programmes, as
well as policy outreach, requires a broadened resource base; robust internal support
systems coupled with competent human capital; sound policies and procedures; and
governance structure.

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