Event : 13-14 March, 2026
The National School of Business and Management (ENCG) at Ibn Tofail University in Kenitra hosted an international scientific conference on 13–14 March 2026, bringing together academics, researchers, experts, and practitioners to examine the evolving role of think tanks in connecting academic knowledge with public decision-making.
Organized by the Centre for International Studies on Security, Migration and Flows (CEISMF), in partnership with academic and research institutions, the conference focused on the theme of “The Role of Think Tanks at the Interface between Knowledge and Public Decision-Making.” The event provided an international platform for discussing how think tanks can contribute to the production of strategic knowledge and support evidence-based public policies.
The conference highlighted the growing importance of think tanks in a rapidly changing global environment marked by complex geopolitical, economic, and social challenges. Participants emphasized that these institutions are no longer limited to theoretical research; they increasingly serve as bridges between academia and policymakers, producing strategic analysis, identifying emerging risks, and contributing to the development of forward-looking policy recommendations.
During the opening session, Professor Ezzeddine Hennoun, a researcher at the Faculty of Legal and Political Sciences in Kenitra, addressed the contribution of think tanks to decision-making. He particularly highlighted their intermediary position between the academic sphere and political decision-making, as well as their role in analysing political risks and developing strategic narratives.
Professor Abderrazak Kabbouri, Director of CEISMF and General Coordinator of the conference, stressed that the acceleration of geopolitical transformations and the growing complexity of contemporary challenges make strategic knowledge increasingly important for public policy and decision-making. He underlined the need to strengthen cooperation between think tanks, universities, research institutions, and policymakers in order to develop knowledge-based responses to emerging challenges.
The conference brought together around 90 speakers from different academic and professional backgrounds and four continents, creating a multidisciplinary and international environment for exchanging perspectives and experiences. Discussions addressed several key areas, including contemporary transformations in the role of think tanks, their contribution to public policies, the relationship between academic knowledge and decision-making, and international experiences of think tanks in Africa and the Arab world.
The programme also featured lectures and thematic workshops, both in person and online, covering public governance, the institutionalisation of expertise in Morocco and the Global South, geopolitical transformations and strategic security, social influence, migration, and soft power. These discussions offered opportunities to explore how specialised expertise can contribute to anticipating major transformations and supporting informed public action.
For ENCG Kenitra, hosting this conference reflects Ibn Tofail University’s commitment to expanding the role of higher education beyond traditional teaching and research by actively engaging students and academic communities in major strategic and public-policy debates. The conference also raised the possibility of establishing a dedicated think tank focusing on public policy analysis and supporting decision-makers.
The conference also contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, by promoting informed, evidence-based decision-making, dialogue, and stronger institutional capacity. It also supports Partnerships for the Goals through cooperation among universities, research centres, experts, and national and international institutions. By strengthening links between research and public policy, the event contributes to building knowledge-based partnerships capable of addressing complex global and societal challenges.