Dialogues

our research, learning and innovation agenda

Alongside our research, the impact collaborations and other activities, the Observatory convenes and contributes to dialogues that help to guide its agenda, build partnerships and influence the actions of policy, research and practitioner communities.

In April 2022, our first face to face community of practice meeting in Nairobi, Kenya was key to framing our wider agenda and priorities. The second meeting took place in May 2023, again in Kenya. The third meeting took place in May 2024. 

In March 2025, with Mercy Corps and the SPARC programme, we co-convened a workshop to review evidence on weather and climate information services (WCIS) use by pastoralist communities in the Horn of Africa. Read more.

In December 2024, we co-organized several sessions on the theme ‘pathways to pastoralist prosperity, resilience and food security‘ at the UNCCD COP16 event in Saudi Arabia. Read a report.

In December 2024, we contributed to the organization and reporting of the 4th Pastoralist Leadership Summit in Wajir, Kenya. Read a report.

In August 2024, we held a project workshop on ‘anticipatory action in the drylands: exploring key challenges and opportunities for early warning in pastoralist contexts‘.

In May 2024, we held a project workshop on ‘breaking down silos: towards effective integration of resilience and humanitarian aid in the Horn of Africa‘. Read a summary.

In February 2024, we co-organized a workshop on ‘policy disconnects and their effects on pastoralists in Eastern Africa’ with the Center for Research and Development in the Drylands and the Feinstein International Center of Tufts University. Read a summary

In December 2023, we joined partners to co-organize a COP28 food systems pavilion session on ‘anticipatory action’ at the intersection of livestock agri-food systems, climate action, land and mobility rights, security, governance and humanitarian action. Read a summary.

In September 2023, we joined partners to organize several sessions at the Africa Climate Week in Nairobi. Read a summary.

During 2022, we joined with partners to convene a series of virtual mini-dialogues to explore potential issues that should be on the Observatory agenda.

    • The definition and timing of anticipatory action to food crises in East Africa: do they matter? View or Download a summary brief.
    • Enablers and blockers for effective anticipatory action against food crises in East African drylands. View or Download a summary brief.
    • Data-driven early warning, prediction and analysis for coordinated/directed food security action in East Africa’s drylands. View or Download a summary brief
    • Integrating community-based knowledge to advance early warning and anticipatry action on food security in drylands of the Horn of Africa. View or Download a summary brief.
    • Livestock as pathways to food-secure and resilient livelihoods and ecosystems in climate-vulnerable drylands of the Horn of Africa. View or Download a summary brief.
    • Enhancing drought prediction, preparation and response, and climate resilience in dry areas: The scope for more and better livestock data. View the summary.
    • De-risking, financial security and safety nets for more resilient and food-secure communities in the drylands of the Horn of Africa. View or Download a summary brief.

Voices from below: Changing nature of livestock raiding in Turkana and West Pokot

Our second Pastoralism and Drylands Development Seminar features Dr Daniel Salau Rogei

Drought early action for resilient drylands

Our CGIAR Science Week session explored how drought early action contributes to resilient drylands

Historical ecological perspectives on pastoralism in the Horn of Africa

Our first Pastoralism and Drylands Development Seminar features a lecture by Professor Gufo Oba

Weather and climate information services for pastoralists

With parthers, we reviewed evidence on weather and climate information services use by pastoralist communities.

Pastoralist leadership summit shapes dryland policy priorities for Kenya

The 4th PLS in December agreed game-changing actions for kenya’s pastoralist communities

Jameel Observatory focus on pastoralist prosperity at COP16 Riyadh

In Riyadh we discussed pathways to pastoralist prosperity, resilience and food security

Photovoice project shows pastoralist perspectives on prosperity and resilience

Young pastoralists in northern Kenya illustrate opportunities and challenges of camel keepers and producers

Re-thinking anticipatory action: Insights from the first Eastern Africa Dialogue Platform

Tahira Mohamed and George Tsitati reflect on anticipatory action as a disaster risk management approach

East Africa dialogue examines anticipatory action policies and practice

In October 2024, the Observatory co-sponsored the first Eastern Africa Dialogue Platform on Anticipatory Action

Scaling anticipatory action within wider resilience-building efforts

A June 2024 conference by Save the Children and partners outlines priority research and action on AA in East Africa.

Integrating humanitarian and resilience building programs for greater impact

On 7 May, our roundtable debated ways to link short-term humanitarian response with long-term resilience

Environmental roles and impacts of livestock – balanced evidence needed

Guyo Roba explores the roles of livestock in sub-Saharan Africa – saviours or villains?