Enhance the global evidence architecture

The second implementation priority – enhance and leverage the global evidence architecture – is a key enabler of the first priority (formalize and strengthen evidence-support systems) and of the evidence-informed efforts of multilateral organizations to support their member states.

We have witnessed ongoing leadership by WHO in improving its processes for developing normative guidance, such as through living guidelines and more generally high-quality guidelines (if not yet as visibly in its technical-cooperation activities). We have also noted pockets of leadership at other UN system entities, such as UNICEF and UNDP. We have seen little response from other multilateral organizations. 

We are aware of some pilots but no broad efforts to coordinate the production of evidence-related global public goods. This has meant a continued low signal-to-noise ratio – with uneven coverage, low quality and outdatedness the pattern for both Sustainable Development Goal-focused evidence syntheses and COVID-19-focused evidence syntheses – as well as continued duplication and hence research waste. We are also aware of many anecdotal examples of funders and donors and global public-goods producers ‘going their own way’ even when made aware of how they would be contributing to research waste.

The Global Evidence Commission secretariat and its partners are speaking with many funders and donors and with many global public-goods producers (through the Global Evidence Producers Group). The secretariat and its partners are also conducting an assessment of past efforts to enhance aspects of the global evidence architecture. The goal is to develop one or more viable models and to seek funding and the support of evidence producers to pilot the model and then to scale it up based on lessons learned. These areas of focus for our efforts appear in colour in the infographic below, while the engagement of multilateral organizations appears ‘greyed out’ and will be the focus of future efforts. 

Join our call to action or learn more

Are you able to encourage funders and donors – both in your own country and those operating globally – to be part of the solution and encourage impact-oriented evidence producers – especially those producing global public goods like living evidence syntheses – to work in more coordinated ways and to build connections to domestic evidence-support networks and units? Please contact evidencecommission@mcmaster.ca to learn more.