Bridging Policy & ResearchMammusa Rantsoti-Lekoa

Policy Liaison Officer

Outline

• Background• Policy Defined• History of Policy liaison• PLO tasks• Tools used• Initiatives with Govt Departments• New Initiatives• Conclusion: Challenges, Successes

Background

• An evident gap between policy & research

• Policy Liaison Office(PLO) establishment to bridge the gap

• Assigned with specific tasks

Public Policy"The term public policy always refers to the actions of government and the intentions that determine those actions". -Clarke E. Cochran, et al. "Public policy is the outcome of the struggle in government over who gets what". -Clarke E. Cochran, et al. Public policy is "Whatever governments choose to do or not do". -Thomas Dye "Public policy consists of political decisions for implementing programs to achieve societal goals". -Charles L. Cochran and Eloise F. Malone "Stated most simply, public policy is the sum of government activities, whether acting directly or through agents, as it has an influence on the life of citizens". -B. Guy Peters

PolicyA policy is a deliberate plan of action to guide decisions and achieve rational outcome(s). The term may apply to government, private sector organizations and groups, and individuals

Policy Maker: someone who decides what an organization's or government's policies will be

History of Policy Liaison

• Joint initiative between Africa Centre (AC) & Agincourt – grant applications & supervision

• Responsibilities– Familiarise policy makers with

data/information from the Centre relevant to their policy and programme needs

– Working with the Centre scientists to most effectively present data to policy makers and service providers

Cont..

– Developing effective and enduring relationships with national, provincial and district governments as well as NGOs, civil society groups, international agencies and funding organisations

– Proactively promoting the policy influencing value of the Centre’s work with policy makers and programme leaders

– Responding swiftly and effectively to policy maker’s requests for information and data

Tools

• Scientific Meetings• Policy Forums• Seminars• Policy Dialogues• Workshops• Others: Science open day, Gala Dinners,

Levels of Government

• Local level (Municipal level)• District & Regional• Provincial Level• National Level• Other stakeholders: NGO’s, civil

societies,

Initiatives with Govt.

• Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Department of Social Development (DSD)

• Invite other members of social cluster• MoU with local Department of Health –

ART programme

New initiatives

• Develop Prevention Research Network• Researchers, Policy makers, lobbyists,

professional organizations, media practitioners & other relevant stakeholders

• To achieve a common goal

Conclusion

• Successes– Vertical Transmission Study– Mortality decline from surveillance are (DSA)

• Challenges– Busy schedules– Stimulating researchers interest• Food for thought

• An independent body- who pays for operations• Be part of the other body- will it work better if its

part of policy structure or research structure?

Thank you!!!

Questions?

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