About
Inclusive development requires the collaborative knowledge and efforts to develop appropriate strategies to undo the ills of ruthless economic growth. FAIDA (Forum for Action-Research on Inclusive-Sustainable Development Agenda) aims to be an evidence-based platform for research and science outreach, fostering meaningful and inclusive sustainable development with a focus on Africa.
FAIDA functions as a Community of Practice where multi-stakeholders share knowledge and experiences: specifically, scientists, development actors, local people, and policymakers interact regularly to share (new) know-how, experiences, and local wisdom. They will thus co-produce action-embedded knowledge and co-develop appropriate interventions toward inclusive, sustainable development.
FAIDA operates in the form of conferences (which is its primary and core activity) but also seminars, symposia, webinars, and other ways of sharing knowledge, skills, and opportunities for development of the human society. FAIDA conferences are hosted yearly between November and December unless otherwise communicated. They are attended by actors from various stakeholder groups, including academia, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), policymakers, and local communities.
The proceedings from FAIDA conferences provide reference points for action by development actors as well as local people and identify gaps for scientists to conduct new research and produce new knowledge. From one conference to the next, progress is shared by development actors as well as local people, and scientists disseminate new knowledge. Then, new gaps are taken up for research to continue the interaction as well as iterations between action and scientific research.
In other words, FAIDA conferences are an opportunity for:
- Scientists sharing findings in a stimulating setting—here, they equally co-produce more knowledge with actors across various stakeholder groups.
- Actors across various stakeholder groups—including, but not limited to, local communities, development experts, policymakers, CSOs, and CBOs—interact with scientists to ensure both explanation and understanding of the matters at hand.
- Networks across disciplines and fields of science and technology promote the development, deployment, adaptation, and scaling of new solutions from interactions.
- Identifying and promoting opportunities to collaborate between diverse stakeholders—academics, CSOs, development actors, and policymakers—for inclusive development.
Depending on the quality of the manuscripts presented, some will be published in the form of conference proceedings, while others will be published in partnering journals to communicate with the scientific community. Two important documents will be compiled regularly to guide policymakers and development actors on concrete actions that can foster inclusive, sustainable development in various communities: policy briefs and a book volume on Sustainability and Inclusive Development Reviews (SIDs), published by Springer Nature. Several take-home messages will be available at the conference closing events and follow-up seminars.
Organization, focus, and scope
FAIDA brings together various stakeholders, including academia, CSOs, development actors, the private sector, and policymakers under the coordination of the THRIVE Facility. While taking the role of a coordinating institution, the THRIVE Facility is open to other entities (including individuals and corporations) who would be interested in being part of the consortium. In this case, each entity within the consortium is given the opportunity to nominate a person to the FAIDA board, as well as a specific theme. The Board is responsible for recruiting the secretariat, which then oversees the activities of FAIDA. In the same vein, other interested entities are welcome to propose and lead an event under the auspices of FAIDA.
Vision
Contribute to advocacy for and action on an evidence-based, inclusive, sustainable development agenda.
Mission
Adapt and develop strategies required for an inclusive development agenda through evidence-based research and community engagement.
Geographical focus
The primary geographical scope of FAIDA is Africa. Contributions from other parts of the world will be welcome insofar as they have an implication on or a lesson for (a setting in) Africa.
Components of the FAIDA Conferences
The FAIDA Conferences incorporate several components. This is consistent with being community embedded as well as incorporating the elements of sustainability. Here is the list of those components (not conclusive): Debate(s), enabling the varieties of ages: youngsters, youths, and adults; Performing Arts, including all forms of MDD (Music, Dance, and Drama), to better communicate the messages; Exhibits on various aspects (including products and services) of inclusive sustainability.
Home and contact
FAIDA is headquartered, in terms of secretariat, at THRAIF’s THRIVE Scientific Research Institute. For other details, please contact us at this email: faida@thrive.ac.ug or Tel: +256393252595.
Current FAIDA in the series
FAIDA 1 (2023) was the first. It took place on 08 December 2023. The second took place on World Science Day, November 10, 2025, and was the most advanced in bringing together scholars on the various topics related to just transitions. Should you like to know more about what transpired, please access the narrative media report here. The next one is FAIDA 3, which will also take place in the context of World Science Day on two days, 09 to 10 Nov. 2026.