Jane Mariara

Jane Mariara is the Executive Director of the Partnership for Economic Policy (PEP), a global organization that focuses on supporting capacity building in research and policy engagement and practices, as well as development in the Global South. By generating locally-sourced evidence, PEP aims to enhance decision-making in policy and practice, emphasizing the importance of the co-production of knowledge between researchers and policymakers.

According to Jane, “This is something that we insist must be done, and so, involvement of policymakers from the onset of the project in a co-production model ensures that the research that we produce is not only high quality, but it also has a direct impact on policy.”

Speaking on governance challenges, Jane notes that the major governance challenges arise not so much from community levels but from higher political structures, particularly in countries experiencing political conflict or coups. These national issues often trickle down, impacting community dynamics, especially concerning multi-ethnic relationships and the implementation of climate action.

She believes goodwill from both government and local community leaders is essential for successful climate action, benefiting the economy and addressing the distinct needs of men and women.