workshop outline - pep-net · powerpoint presentations a few tips: no full sentences each...

9th PEP General Meeting Cambodia, December 6, 2011

WORKSHOP OUTLINE Introduction Part 1: Embedding research into policy Guest speaker: Prem Konan Damodaran, IDRC SEA

○ Policy relevance and context analysis ○ Identifying an audience and building networks ○ Consultation activities

Guest speaker : Maria Laura Alzua, CEDLAS, Argentina

Part 2: Communication strategies for effective policy advocacy

Guest speaker : Try Tan, UNICEF Cambodia ○ Tools and advice for « policy-oriented » communications ○ National policy conferences ○ Interacting with media

INTRODUCTION Knowledge-brokering and policy advocacy

Difficult but crucial in development research

Policy influence is a project in its own right Requires careful planning and managing

Takes time and investment – no list of « best practices »

3 main steps WHAT is the policy change objective (in relation with evidence)

WHO could influence such change

HOW should the message be promoted to reach the targeted audience

1.1. Policy relevance, context and frameworks Research must « speak policy » Context analysis Policy Impact Plan 1.2. Identifying an audience and building networks 1.3. Consultation activities Engaging key players A long-term and active engagement

1. Research must « speak policy »

2. Context analysis 3. Policy Influence Plan

Policy relevance, context and frameworks

Embedding research into policy

WHAT?

Research must « speak policy » “Development researchers seeking influence will have to see their own work as part of the policy process…”

Research more likely to influence policy if the… intent to influence is included among the original objectives.

INTENT not a state of mind, but a METHOD - to inform the research questions Frames the content and vocabulary chosen to address issues and report results

When defining development research issues.. ○ Identify related policies - in place, under consideration or potential.. ○ Investigate background policymaking - Literature, data sources, documents, events, actors.. ○ Consult with stakeholders and potential research users ○ Identify clear policy change and/or need for evidence base (objective) = WHAT

Research project design should build on this background

○ Research questions should reflect (or be responsive to) identified policy needs The more clearly the policy issues are defined, the easier it will be to identify and establish

links with potential users of the research

Embedding research into policy Policy relevance, context and frameworks


Context analysis

« To achieve influence, researchers need to devise strategies suited to the political context in which they work… » 1 – Consider « institutional embedment » of policy change

• natural « housing » of policy change • constitutional structure determine level of government making decisions in the

specific field of interest = NATURAL AUDIENCE E.g. in some countries, health or education policies are made at by provincial or regional level

• Note that both centralized and decentralized structures can work FOR and/or AGAINST research influence..

For development research to achieve influence, usually means 2 things:

• Making personal connections with policymakers • Entrenching the research itself in the institutional memory of the policy community

But to reach out to the policy community, must UNDERSTAND its imperatives

«Assessing governmental readiness and capacity to absorb research..»

2 - General context: Contingencies – to be aware / take advantage of

Political transitions or specific initiatives (e.g. PRSPs) = opportunities for research (demand)

Capacity of policymakers to apply research (can they use it?) Institutional stability – leadership changes / turnovers Economic conditions (crisis, imperatives, etc. )

3 - Decision context Mindset at play in decision community – various degrees of government

receptivity to research input: ○ Demand? Interest? Neutral? Hostile? ○ Even in the least hospitable contexts, system contingencies can open

surprising opportunities…


Context analysis

If clear demand, interest or need Success depends on ability to present ideas and arguments CLEARLY – in a way that it can be USED

If not interested or concerned Success depends on ability to mobilize support from civil society, communities, media etc. to push a change of mindset

Context analysis


Contengencies and receptivity should influence communication programme and strategies. For example:

If frequent turnovers in political leadership Should focus networking and advocacy work on mid-level government players (more stable) Plus, inform and engage public opinion

ETC.. see references: IDRC publication « Knowledge to policy » for different ways to adapt your communication strategy to various forms of political settings

If interest but lack resources or capacity Factor or variable that should be assimilated (or taken into account) in research project design

Context analysis (incl. actors) is necessary PRIOR to drawing policy influence plan Should be at the onset of research project, YEAR ONE Objective:

○ to understand the setting in which policy is made and ○ to organize research strategy for best effect within that setting

In addition to context and timing,

Must be both PURPOSIVE and ADAPTIVE in your intent to influence

ODI-RAPID toolbox Rapid Outcome Mapping Approach (ROMA)


Policy Influence Plan

RAPID Outcome Mapping Approach (ROMA)


ONCE you have a clear objective in terms of evidence-based policy change …

Identifying an audience, building networks


Targeting your audiences Identify potential allies and opponents Create audience profile

Building networks

WHO?

Targeting your audience

Embedding research into policy Identifying an audience, building networks

Identifying your audience is a key step! One important question: Who needs to be

convinced to take action?

Some observations: Policy is made by people, not institutions Think about who are really policy makers? Think about the whole policy making process!


Policy Audience

Political Parties Business

es/Business

leaders

NGOs

Religious Groups

Academics/Univer

sities Speech writers

Ministry Officials

Media

Voters

Potential policy audiences

…a PRIMARY audience? The primary audience includes decision makers with the authority to AFFECT the outcome for your objective DIRECTLY. These are the individuals who must ACTIVELY approve the policy change

… a SECONDARY audience?

The secondary audiences are individuals and groups that CAN INFLUENCE the decision makers .

Their opinions and actions are important because they AFFECT the OPINIONS AND ACTIONS of the decision makers


WHAT IS…

= PRIMARY TARGET

= INFLUENTIAL

Force Field Analysis



Identify potential allies and opponents Do they agree with our

approach? Do they agree with our assumptions?

Do they want to do the same things that we think need to be done?

Are they thinking what we are thinking?

Are they committing time and money to this issue?

Do they want something to happen (whether it is for or against what we propose)?

Are they going to events on the subject?

Are they publicly speaking about this?

ALIGNMENT INTEREST

Alignment, Interest and Influence Matrix

See references for link to ODI-Rapid guidance note on the AIIM tool


Stakeholder Analysis


Create an « audience profile » Talk with people who are familiar with the

group/individual Talk with other advocates and colleagues Read speeches or other documents written by

the key organizations or individuals Review the results of recent polls, surveys or

focus groups Attend open meetings where the individual or

group will be speaking or participating.

Embedding research into policy Consultation activities

Step 1: Who to integrate?

Step 2: How do you meet?

Step 3: How do you get them interested?

Step 4: How can they help you?


Building networks

Engaging key players A continuous, long-term and active engagement..

Consultation activities


« Experience shows that, by actively engaging policymakers in a project, researchers can propel the transmission of findings into the policy discourse…»

Once key players are identified, must bring them into play:

The strategy should include consultation with a variety of stakeholders and decision-makers:

mid-level decision-makers, business associations, NGOs.. A great strategy would also include the targeting & mobilization of a

« champion » among policymakers, willing to put research to work..

Engaging key players


A continuous and active engagement

At best, engagement and consultation of key players Start early in the research process Designed into the research plan Carried out as the project unfolds

Communication needs to be : CONTINUOUS: long-term process of building trust and confidence, + ownership

BOTH WAYS: input from policy-related perspective must be carved into research

Creating a formal / informal partnership to Exchange information (inputs, findings) and disseminate research outcomes E.g. PEP newly required « local policy committees »


As research proceeds and results start to accumulate, consultations can become more specific and timelier:

routine workshops, occasional (but regular) meetings, timely reports on work progress..

By now, vocabulary and format assume importance (see Part II)


2.1. Introduction

HOW to communicate with policymakers: tools and advice

2.2. National policy conference 2.3. Interacting with media

Communicating with policymakers

Communication strategies for policy advocacy Tools and advice

« Researchers and policymakers speak different languages »

General advice: In direct interactions with policymakers and stakeholders,

Make sure you always leave space for their interventions (BOTH WAYS): LISTEN, UNDERSTAND and ADDRESS their concern

When addressing them: Clearly identify your policy objective and MESSAGE

○ Message = evidence ○ What are the implications for policy change? = focus

Present your evidence in a « story-telling » fashion ○ Translate the story/evidence into large/specific social and political problems ○ Needs and wants of your audience = the source of your vocabulary base ○ ALWAYS present a CLEAR SOLUTION = story’s potential « happy ending »

Communicating with policymakers

Basically, policymakers have NO TIME nor CURIOSITY for: research questions, theories and methodologies

Often do not understand the language or statistics of research conclusions

○ They want : Unambiguous, quickly-understood information that contribute to a decision Clearly stated answers to the questions that concern them NOW

(so timeliness is also important)

○ So.. make it SHORT, make it POLICY-RELEVANT and ACTUAL make it SIMPLE ...understandable for a high-school level student…


Tools and format Policy Briefs

Present general context and related policy problem/issue/debate link to research question and contribution

○ but BRIEF and presented as « problem-solving » in policy terms Straight to KEY findings and related conclusions (EVIDENCE)

POLICY IMPLICATIONS ○ Evidence = position in policy debate ○ Present clear recommendations that are.. PRACTICAL POLICY SOLUTIONS

« Convince your audience of the suitability of your policy recommendations… »


1/2

1/2


PEP Policy Briefs One page With 1 graph or table that is SELF-EXPLANATORY TEXT DIVISIONS Subtitles Paragraphs Bullets Highlights (bold)

Powerpoint Presentations A few tips: ○ NO FULL SENTENCES Each point/bullet: NO LONGER than 1-2 LINES

○ SEPERATE IDEAS – bullets/sub-bullets ○ USE COLORS, animations, illustrations ○ Light text on dark screen..


Tools and format

Oral presentations Present as if you are « TELLING A STORY » or have something to SELL Don’t look at the screen: you know your story! Look at the audience (tip of the heads to avoid eye contact) MOVE : at least your hands.. (helps capture attention)

Remember:

Evidence doesn’t speak for itself.. You have to speak FOR it… in the POLICY LANGUAGE


Tools and format

National Policy Conferences

Make your research accessible to a policy audience

Move beyond the one-way model of dissemination to a more interactive and productive model.

Every effort should be made to maximize the conference’s communications potential

Good opportunity to interact with the media

Communication strategies for policy advocacy National Policy Conferences

Interacting with media

Communication strategies for policy advocacy Interacting with media

Media = conveyors of information to all sectors of society

Media = powerful tool for building support for your objective

Timing and linking your findings and message with breaking news is necessary

Jump on opportunities to publicize your message

Interacting with media


Tips on becoming a resource to journalists :

Be available for journalists Create relations/networks at meetings Be ready to be quoted during events Know the issues and comment intelligently on developments

relating to your cause Don’t always assume journalists have received the

information you have about topical events or relevant news releases.

Know your facts; never pass on information unless you know it’s true

Know where to find information or contacts fast and therefore gain a reputation as a good source…

news release press conference or

media event issue briefing for

journalists graphics or

illustrations fact sheet or back

ground sheet media packet/press kit letter to the editor

Suggested media formats


References Document publications

○ Carden, Fred (2009), « Knowledge to Policy: Making the Most of Development Research », IDRC, SAGE publications, 209 p. (online)

○ Hovland, Ingie (2005), « Successful Communications: a Toolkit for Researchers and Civil Society Organisations », ODI Research and Policy in Development program (RAPID), ODI, London, 69 p. (online)

○ Start, Daniel and I. Hovland (2004), « Tools for Policy Impact: a Handbook for Researchers », ODI Research and Policy in Development, ODI, London, 64 p. (online)

Web sources – specialized organisations ○ Global Development Network: Research communications and Knowledge

Management: http://cloud2.gdnet.org/cms.php?id=research_communication

○ Overseas Development Institute (ODI), Research and Policy in Development (RAPID) programme: http://www.odi.org.uk/work/programmes/rapid/default.asp

http://www.idrc.ca/EN/Resources/Publications/Pages/IDRCBookDetails.aspx?PublicationID=70

http://www.odi.org.uk/resources/docs/192.pdf


http://cloud2.gdnet.org/cms.php?id=research_communication

http://www.odi.org.uk/work/programmes/rapid/default.asp

References • Special links

Find most of ODI-Rapid toolkits here: http://www.odi.org.uk/rapid/tools/toolkits/communication/tools.html Find the AIIM tool guidance note here: http://www.odi.org.uk/resources/docs/6509.pdf Find more information on PEP research communication strategy and activities here: http://www.pep-net.org/publications/research-communications/

http://www.odi.org.uk/rapid/tools/toolkits/communication/tools.html


http://www.pep-net.org/publications/research-communications/

http://www.pep-net.org/publications/research-communications/

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