HPCI part of 2024 KFPE workshop series

The Commission for Research Partnerships with Developing Countries (KFPE) is the information hub for global research partnerships in Switzerland. The HAFL Hugo P. Cecchini Institute and KFPE are aligned in their focus on low- and middle-income countries. 

The 2024 KFPE Annual Conference takes place in Bern on Friday 31 May from 12.30–5.30pm. This year’s theme is “Sustainable, equitable partnerships in North-South collaboration - Lessons learned for future funding models.”

As part of the conference, KFPE hosts a series of online workshops between 15 May and 19 June. The aim of these workshops is to establish connections and promote sustainable and equitable partnerships.

HPCI workshop

The HPCI workshop, titled “Rethinking and Navigating Equitable Partnerships for Impactful Funding Models: Lessons and Insights from 5 Continents”, runs from 2–3.30pm on 17 June. Please register before 12 June.

Dr Zenebe Uraguchi, Head of HPCI, and Dr Brigitte Kürsteiner, Head of the Global Engagement Office at BFH, have gathered colleagues from universities in Lebanon, Georgia, Honduras/Peru, Bangladesh, and Ghana/Kenya to discuss the evolving funding landscape. The changes, driven by technology, geopolitical shifts, economic fluctuations, and evolving priorities among stakeholders, have also affected government spending and increased the private sector’s role in research and development.

The workshop seeks to (1) gain a nuanced understanding of the complex dynamics of sustainable and equitable partnerships and funding modalities; (2) bring and highlight insights and actionable ideas for fostering equitable and sustainable partnerships in the realm of impactful funding models, drawing upon diverse experiences and perspectives from across five continents; and (3) reflect on existing experiences but also propose ideas and solutions for the future.

Join online

Zenebe welcomes your involvement. “Join us to explore how technology, geopolitics and economic shifts are changing funding in Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, Eastern Europe/Western Balkans, and Africa,” he said. “Learn from real-world examples and collaborate to develop concrete strategies for equitable funding and sustainable partnerships.”

Contribute to discussions and learn about the current ways funding is set up globally/regionally/nationally, the main issues and opportunities for promoting equity, current constraints, better solutions in building equitable and sustainable partnerships and funding models, the search for equality among partners and creating equitable partnerships, and designing funding models based on key lessons.

Access the Annual Conference programme here.
Register for both the conference and/or the HPCI online workshop on 17 June here.
HPCI was also involved in the 2023 KFPE Annual Conference on decolonizing Swiss research collaborations and conducted a workshop focussing on students “in the field”.