Bridging the Gap Between Science and Policy: Brandt School Welcomes Delegates from Konrad Adenauer School for Young Politicians

The young political leaders and politicians were invited to Germany by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAF) as part of the "Konrad Adenauer School for Young Politicians" (KASYP). KASYP is an integral component of KAF's regional project in Asia, offering a comprehensive two-year training program for young members of political parties, divided into four modules. The project aims to groom and empower these young political leaders to enhance the responsiveness and accountability of political parties. The training program's modules are designed to provide participants with a solid theoretical foundation in political theories and concepts, as well as practical skills for effective political action and responsibilities. Participants hail from countries such as Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, the Philippines, and South Korea, among others. 

During their visit to Germany, the delegates had the opportunity to explore Berlin and Erfurt as part of their fourth module, which focused on European parliamentary democracy and political parties. At the University of Erfurt, the delegates engaged in a Round Table discussion with representatives from the Brandt School, with the aim of learning from the school's expertise and experiences in bridging the gap between science and policy.  The delegation was warmly received by Dr. Hasnain Bokhari, the project head for Internationalization and Digitalization, and Lena Kiesewetter, the Managing Director, on behalf of the Brandt School. 

In her opening remarks, Ms. Kiesewetter introduced the delegates to the Brandt School as the first school of Public Policy in Germany, highlighting its thematic specializations and the diverse range of students who come to study in Erfurt. Ms. Kiesewetter also highlighted the annual Commitment Award event as a significant instrument for driving sociopolitical change. The event provides students with a platform to apply their knowledge acquired at the Brandt School and to launch new social initiatives, both locally in Erfurt and on a global scale.

Dr. Hasnain Bokhari delivered a comprehensive presentation on bridging the gap between science and policy, emphasizing the intricacies involved in the policy-making process and the value of scientific, evidence-based approaches. He also underscored the importance of data and ethical considerations in the age of digitalization, health emergencies, and climate disruptions. Dr. Bokhari referred to the capstone projects offered as part of the Master of Public Policy (MPP) program, which serve as an ideal interface between the Brandt School and NGOs, ministries, and the policy sector. Additionally, he highlighted the policy recommendations produced by his project group, titled 'Comparing Digital Strategies in Germany,' with a specific focus on content, structure, and monitoring for the German state of Thuringia. The Round Table also included second-year students from Nigeria, the USA, India, Germany, Indonesia, Mexico, Algeria, and Australia.  

The KAF delegation was led by Mr. Moritz Fink, a former Brandt School alumnus, from the Division of Asia at the Pacific European and International Cooperation Department in the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.