“Data for Policy Making: Insights from GBADs and FVE’s Research and Policy Impact” – is the title of the fourth edition of the GBADs and DECIDE seminar series hosted by Prof. Dr. Brecht Devleesschauwer (Sciensano) and Yeal Dotan (FVE); which took place on Monday, February 19, 2024. Watch the recording below:
The focus of the fourth GBADs & DECIDE webinar revolved around examining the extent to which the data gathered by researchers impacts policymaking and decision-making at the national and global level. Prof. Dr. Brecht Devleesschauwer (Sciensano) and Yael Dotan (FVE) shared their insights on strategies to enhance the influence of research and reduce the burden of animal diseases.
Brecht Devleesschauwer discussed the burden of zoonotic diseases and proposed a theory of change aimed at achieving lasting impact. He outlined how inputs from epidemiology guide actions like data analysis and advocacy, yielding outputs such as protocols for ensuring food quality. Hence, an embrace of food safety measures, especially by governments of affected countries, could bring about a notable reduction of the burden from foodborne diseases. Subsequently, Yael Dotan presented the role of FVE in policymaking that is rooted in FVE’s collaboration with national governments and European institutions to disseminate research outcomes and realize an improvement in animal health. Yael concluded the webinar by sharing success stories that achieved long-lasting impact through dissemination and communication activities.