Authors/Editors: Eltayeb Hag Ateya

This OGC discussion paper describes the experience of The Peace Research Institute (PRI) of the University of Khartoum, the oldest, largest and most prestigious university in Sudan, as an evidence generating institution. The paper was presented at the UNDP Oslo Governance Centre & Canadian IDRC Event:  Roundtable on Evidence on Governance into Policy, The Role of Research Institutes and Think Tanks, Jan 18-19 2009, Jan 18-19 2009.

Many developing countries are facing formidable problems and crises. Those range between economic, social, political and cultural sectors. Though the extent, and complexity of the gov- ernment functions and roles to resolve those problems are progressively widening, yet in many developing countries endeavors to generate governance evidence and have it impact the go- vernance reform discourse were, many at a time, hampered by serious obstacles. None the less it is evident that there is growing need for evidence, on the government side. The official complacent support mechanisms can not provide such evidence in a timely nor satisfactory manner, given the universal, regional and local fluidity and complication of the issues.
The governing Elite may choose to avoid what they consider shear competition, or uncalled for intervention or outright meddling in official business. They may not want to appear weak or de- pendent on others. They may want to respect their mandate and remain within the prescribed parameters. At any rate, intellectual support from researchers or think tanks continues to be needed, but not demanded. If government persists in its unwelcoming attitude, it will be in- cumbent on the part of the evidence generating institutions to be more innovative in the way they present, offer or avail evidence to governmental departments. This short paper describes the experience of The Peace Research Institute (PRI) of the University of Khartoum, the oldest, largest and most prestigious university in Sudan. The model adopted by PRI, a fairly new insti- tution of the university, is a product of the turbulent modern history of Sudan. Research pro- grammes academic scholarship and structural adjustment of PRI came in response to significant changes in the society. Provision of a brief description of the sociopolitical situation of Sudan is necessary to better understand the status and role of PRI as an evidence generating institution.