Special Thematic Working Groups

The Special Thematic Working Groups (STWGs) constitute the driving engine of the Africa Think Tank and will consist of experts in the selected health domains of focus (nutrition & physical activity; sexual & reproductive health; mental health & violence). The STWGs will gather information from the ARISE-NUTRINT and DASH Studies, commissioned reviews, relevant publications to create a database of the information and produce a succinct summary of a comprehensive and systematic review of the research findings, analysis of existing evidence and evaluate its relevance to:
• assess challenges in the domain on adolescents and youths’ health policies,
• highlight new and significant scientific advances and opportunities from research that can impact policy options on the domains
• identify critical research gaps and needs in the domains
• provide summary and guidance on priority areas with relevant information for innovations, strategies and evidence to guide adolescents’ and youths’ health policy options and policies in Africa

The overall analysis from each STWG after presentations and consultations with stakeholders (policy makers, adolescents’ and youths’ groups, clubs and implementers) will be summarized for publications in peer reviewed journals. A summary jointly produced with the Africa Think Tank Core Committee will be used to prepare policy briefs designed to provide road maps for friendly asset-based, impact-driven adolescents’ and youths’ health policy options. These policy briefs will continuously be published on an ARISE Network-supported global knowledge management electronic portal. The resulting reports will be collated and be routinely presented to larger stakeholders for contributions, debates, deliberations and dialogue that would make it relevant to health policies and serves as Africa Evidence for Adolescents’ and Youths’ Health Policy Reference Platform (ARP).