Strengthening evidence-informed policy processes in Viet Nam. Nicola Jones, PhD. ODI, London,

Transcription

1 Strengthening evidence-informed policy processes in Viet Nam Nicola Jones, PhD. ODI, London,

2 Overview 6 Lessons about evidence-informed policy influencing Case study on research as a tool to engender public policy Findings from EBPA needs assessment exercise in Vietnam 2008

3 RAPID Group Promoting evidence-informed development policy & practice Through Research, Capacity-building & Partnerships, Communication Working with researchers, policymakers, legislators, donors, think tanks & civil society In Europe, N. America, Africa, Asia, Latin America and Oceania.

4 1. Policy processes are complex Donors Policy Formulation Cabinet Agenda Setting Decision Making Legislature Civil Society Private Sector Monitoring and Evaluation Policy Implementation Ministries

5 2. Research is one factor Experience & Expertise Pragmatics & Contingencies Judgement Lobbyists & Pressure Groups Evidence Resources Habits & Tradition Values and Policy Context Source: Phil Davies Impact to Insight Meeting, ODI, 2005

6 3. Research is important Research hypothesis: local understanding of disease burden is as important as increased funding for healthcare outcomes The results of household disease surveys informed processes of health service reform which contributed to a 43 and 46 per cent reduction in infant mortality between 2000 and 2003 in two districts in rural Tanzania. TEHIP Project, Tanzania:

7 4. Needs a systematic approach External Influences Socio-economic and cultural influences, donor policies etc The political context political and economic structures and processes, culture, institutional pressures, incremental vs radical change etc. The links between policy and research communities networks, relationships, power, competing discourses, trust, knowledge etc. The evidence credibility, the degree it challenges received wisdom, research approaches and methodology, simplicity of the message, how it is packaged

8 Identify key stakeholders Use the Alignment Interest Influence Matrix (AIIM) to identify the critical stakeholders 1. Map actors on the matrix 2. Identify which are the most influential High General level of alignment Low Develop enthusiasm to address topic Develop awareness and enthusiasm Low Learn in partnership Challenge existing beliefs Interest in specific topic High

9 Plan strategically Positive forces Negative forces Your influence on the force 4 2 2? 4 1 2? Funds CSOs Public demand? Minister of Trade puts forward propoor trade policy programme to the cabinet by April 2008 MEF Time?? 5 * 3?? 2 1?? Total =? Total =?

10 5. Requires complementary skills Storytellers Engineers Networkers Fixers

11 6. Tools for policy influence Overarching Tools - The RAPID Framework - Using the Framework - The Entrepreneurship Questionnaire Communication Tools - Communications Strategy - SWOT analysis - Message Design - Making use of the media Policy Influence Tools - Influence Mapping & Power Mapping - Lobbying and Advocacy - Campaigning: A Simple Guide - Competency self-assessment Context Assessment Tools - Stakeholder Analysis - Forcefield Analysis - Writeshops - Policy Mapping - Political Context Mapping Research Tools - Case Studies - Episode Studies - Surveys - Bibliometric Analysis - Focus Group Discussion

12 Case Study of EBPA Case study of EBPA

13 Research as a tool for engendering public policy Despite strong economic growth and poverty reduction, Korea faced pervasive gender inequalities on eve of democratic transition Academic and action-research + institutional development + communication / engagement results in legal and policy reforms: family law, equal employment + parental leave, anti-sexual and family violence policies, political quotas, Asia s first Ministry of Gender Equality

14 Ingredients of success? Fertile context : well-coordinated, high profile civil society, return of diaspora activists with innovative ideas, highly educated female population, culture places high value on education and scholarship Convincing evidence : quantitative (opinion surveys, gender statistics, gender responsive budgeting), qualitative (testimonies, causes celebres, court case monitoring), best practice (NGO pilots, Asian, international)

15 Ingredients of success? Context-sensitive communication and packaging of messages: equal employment rights: maximising women s human resources for national development, strengthening Korean industry ; male protection laws paid maternity leave: Women s right to healthy motherhood Reproductive responsibilities are societal responsibilities overturning Confucian patriarchal family law Promoting family health Societal democratisation

16 Ingredients of success? Good links : triangle of empowerment strong and fluid relationships between bureaucrats/ femocrats, feminist activists, women s studies scholars, women MPs and congressional committees, journalists investment in young cadre of women (university programmes, NGO internships) critical engagement rather than oppositional politics External environment: momentum of 1995 UN Beijing Conference on Women Korea s accession to OECD linking rights and modernity

17 EBPA in Vietnam Needs Assessment Findings

18 UNDP/ VASS project objectives Aims to support VASS to strengthen their capacity in the field of evidence-based policy advocacy in order to promote synergies in Viet Nam between social science research and policy change by: Undertake an assessment of the strengths & weaknesses of VASS current approaches to social science research design and policy influencing work Formulate a long-term strategy to deepen VASS and select GoVN institutions capacities to design and communicate research-informed evidence aimed at influencing the formulation and implementation of economic and social policy change

19 Steps in strategy development Block 1: Literature Review Block 2: VASS needs assessment Block 3: Stakeholder interviews A systematic literature review on EBPA in Vietnam Overview of research policy interface in Vietnam; identifying commonalities and differences with international literature Structured self-assessment questionnaire with VASS researchers Focus group discussions with VASS researchers based on thematic clusters Discussion of tentative conclusions in feedback workshops Semi-structured stakeholder interviews outside VASS in Hanoi, Hue and HCMC Discussion meeting with UNDP programme advisors Lunch time meetings with VASS researchers and interested stakeholders Mixed methods assessment approach to develop knowledge base of opportunities and constraints for EBPA in Vietnam and to underpin capacity strengthening strategy

20 Findings from needs assessment Block 1: Literature Review on EBPA in Vietnam Policy and political context Demand by policymakers but topic-specific Growing complexity of policy issues Low level of funding + limited modernisation of research institutes Nascent civil society Linkages Close linkages between researchers, members of national assembly and civil servants Culturally-sensitive communication strategies Quality & credibility of evidence Limited quality & availability of data Limited research literacy of policymakers Importance of policy engagement External influences Role of international agencies Role of macro-level shocks

21 Block 2: VASS Needs Assessment Strong interest in strengthening research methods competencies Interest in improving policy research communication skills Recognised need to improve internal + external networking skills Recognition of importance of developing KM and learning culture Recognition of importance for VASS to be involved in EBPA and need to improve policy audience targeting and tailored messages Significant differences across research clusters Importance of capacity strengthening at multiple levels

22 Block 3: Stakeholder interviews New sources of research demand: new laws in response to economic integration; growing independence of NA; decentralisation process Challenges in supporting production & consumption of quality evidence: collection and accessibility of data; coordinating research thematic coverage; research institute independence; strengthening abilities to read data Strong demand for more opportunities for multi-stakeholder dialogue; need to include in policy-maker workplans and performance assessments Need to support researchers to translate findings into concise, policyrelevant messages Civil society needs to be more coordinated in policy advocacy efforts to avoid critiques of sample size Need to promote grassroots participation in research and policy engagement

23 Strategy components The Capacity Building Strategy for EBPA in VASS to Improve Policy and Practice focuses on delivering substantial improvements in: research quality, including qualitative and qualitative research processes, policy analysis, policy recommendations, and academic report writing etc. internal communication, knowledge management and learning within and between institutes including technology and processes policy-focused research communication including policy briefs, policy recommendations, web and media outputs etc engagement with stakeholders involved in the policy process including policy-makers (I)NGOs, CSOs, international agencies, the media and other stakeholders, at national & sub-national levels To be implemented through a phased synergistic approach with strong M&E, learning and follow up mechanisms in-built

24 Conclusions Improving research impact requires: Clear intent to shape policy A systematic approach Attention to systems / incentives / culture Investing more in communications Engaging. Producing context-appropriate products Planning for the long term Working in partnerships and networks

25 Further Information ODI RAPID - Publications Working Papers, Briefing Papers Books, Journal Articles Case Studies Workshops and Seminars Tools and Toolkits Material in Vietnamese:

26 Further information - ebpdn Evidence-Based Policy in Development Network A worldwide community of practice of TTs, PRIs, NGOs etc committed to: Learning about how research-based evidence can contribute to development policy and practice. Doing it themselves. Helping others to do it

27