On Think Tanks 2025 Conference: Change hubs: Beyond differences
Join On Think Tanks in Johannesburg, South Africa!
Featuring
Erica Schoder, Executive Director, R Street Institute
Liliana Alvarado, Executive Director, ETHOS
Monica Nadal, Research Director, Fundaciò Bofill
[Moderator] Chandré Gould, Senior Research Fellow, Institute for Security Studies (ISS)
[Moderator] Senzekile Bengu, Research Office, Institute for Security Studies (ISS)
Overview
On Think Tanks is the leading global source of information, support and community for people working in, with and funding think tanks.
The OTT Conference is the only global space for think tanks that cuts across disciplines, sectors, regions and ideological preferences.
To achieve meaningful impact, think tanks must collaborate across divides—political, institutional, and ideological. But polarisation, shrinking civic space, and funding uncertainty raise tough questions: When is collaboration worth the risk? How do you build trust across conflicting positions? This session explores coalition-building in turbulent contexts, grounded in real experiences. Rather than debate, we will engage in a collective exploration of dilemmas, strategies, and principles to guide collaboration when legitimacy and safety are at stake.