North Africa Center for Applied Systems Analysis (NAASAC)
The North Africa Center for Applied Systems Analysis (NAASAC) was established in 2021 in response to the growing need for systems thinking to address complex real-world challenges and to promote evidence-based decision-making. The Center was launched as a partnership initiative between the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology (ASRT), the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA, Vienna), and the Institute of National Planning (INP), Egypt’s leading think tank in planning and sustainable development.
The Center was initially funded by ASRT for two years (October 2021 – December 2023). Funding was renewed for an additional three years (November 2024 – October 2027).
Vision and Mission of NAASAC
Vision
To build a strong and enduring culture of systems thinking and evidence-based decision-making, and to disseminate this culture regionally.
Mission
To strengthen capacities in North Africa in systems thinking and applied systems analysis, foster a culture of evidence-based policymaking, and promote this approach across the region.
Phase I
(December 2021 – November 2023)
During this phase, NAASAC’s activities focused on:
- Capacity building
- Awareness raising
- International collaboration
- Scientific publication
Phase II
Based on the achievements of Phase I, ASRT funded a second phase for three years.
The main objectives of Phase II include:
- Transforming scientific roadmaps into policy options:
Building on roadmaps and targeted studies developed by ASRT’s specialized scientific committees to produce formal policy options for decision-makers. These outputs are formulated in a clear, decision-oriented language aligned with policymakers’ needs and expectations. - Collaboration with IIASA on national projects:
Developing project proposals for submission to international funding organizations to support the application of IIASA models to specific projects in Egypt and African/Arab countries, including training specialists to independently operate these models in the future. - Capacity building in evidence-based policymaking in Egypt:
Planning a comprehensive revision and update of the Diploma curriculum based on lessons learned from previous cohorts, ensuring stronger integration across course components and a greater focus on policy brief writing and effective communication to decision-makers. - Annual delivery of the Diploma program throughout the funding period.
- Strengthening Egypt’s leadership in Africa:
Positioning Egypt as a regional leader in evidence-based policymaking by offering adapted and/or intensive versions of the program to non-Arabic-speaking African countries. - Building a community of policy professionals:
Expanding IIASA Connect as a platform for Egypt’s applied systems analysis and evidence-based policymaking community, bringing together government policy professionals and researchers through continuous engagement activities and invited speaker series to enhance policy development and communication skills. - Promoting a culture of policy brief writing among researchers:
Organizing seminars under the theme “Can Research Truly Inform Policy?” to enhance the practical application of research in policymaking. - Systems Thinking for All:
Conducting workshops titled “Shaping Your Future: Strategies for Success” targeting youth and specific community groups. - Enhancing Egyptian participation in the Young Scientists Summer Program (YSSP) at IIASA:
Coordinating with IIASA to better understand selection criteria, clearly communicate them to applicants, and provide guidance to help candidates strengthen their research proposals.
Center Mandate
- Translating knowledge into actionable policies:
Preparing evidence-based policy briefs and recommendations derived from scientific roadmaps and studies, tailored in language and format for decision-makers. - Applying systems analysis methodologies:
Utilizing systems analysis models and tools to address complex national and regional issues and to develop scenario-based policy alternatives. - Capacity building and training:
Designing and implementing specialized training programs and diploma courses in systems thinking and evidence-based policymaking, with continuous content development. - International collaboration and joint project development:
Coordinating with international partners to prepare project proposals for donors and localizing analytical models and tools to serve Egyptian and African contexts. - Supporting decision-makers:
Providing technical support and analytical consultancy to governmental bodies and institutions concerned with planning and sustainable development. - Building a professional policy community:
Establishing and managing a network of researchers and policy professionals to promote knowledge exchange and best practices in evidence-based decision-making. - Promoting policy brief writing culture:
Organizing seminars and workshops to enhance researchers’ skills in drafting effective and implementable policy briefs. - Spreading systems thinking culture:
Delivering awareness activities and workshops targeting youth and diverse community groups to mainstream systems thinking within society. - Strengthening regional and international representation:
Supporting national participation in international specialized programs and reinforcing Egypt’s position as a leading regional hub for evidence-based policymaking.