This slidecast, prepared for the Third roundtable of the Fostering Global Responsibility Network (http://www.development-network.eu/) in Budapest, Hungary, goes through the basics of how to plan and produce high quality policy briefs.

1. Policy briefs as a tool for development communication Jeff Knezovich 23 April 2009 – Budapest, Hungary

5. WHAT IS A POLICY BRIEF?

6. WHAT IS A POLICY BRIEF? Two types of brief The PB as memo The PB as publication Internally focused Externally focused Demand-driven Supply-driven Narrowly focused Broadly targeted A general overview of the subject showing multiple opinions or view points Focuses on research that supports the main argument of the brief Might give multiple, and even competing, solutions Gives strong, clear and coordinated policy recommendations or implications

9. WHY POLICY BRIEFS? The research/ policy divide Source: Phil Davies Impact to Insight Meeting, ODI, 2005 Evidence Experience & Expertise Judgement Resources Values and Policy Context Habits & Tradition Lobbyists & Pressure Groups Pragmatics & Contingencies

12. WHO ARE POLICY BRIEFS FOR? Author(s) Researchers Policy-oriented research institutes Think tanks Civil society organisations Advocacy organisations International NGOs Multilateral organisations Government bodies Networks/ coalitions of any of the above Audience(s) Non-academic/ non-specialist Decision-makers who may have varying degrees of expertise on a given issue In certain cases may target development practitioners Not usually targeted at the general public

13. PLANNING POLICY BRIEFS: The RAPID Framework Source: Court, J and J Young (2004) ‘Bridging research and policy in international development’. ODI Briefing Paper. London: ODI. The political context – political and economic structures and processes, culture, institutional pressures, incremental vs radical change The evidence – credibility, the degree it challenges received wisdom, research approaches and methodology, simplicity of the message, how it is packaged etc External Influences Socio-economic and cultural influences, donor policies The links between policy and research communities – networks, relationships, power, competing discourses, trust, knowledge

17. PLANNING POLICY BRIEFS: Considering context When do policy-makers use scientific information in the policy cycle?

20. CONTENT OF A POLICY BRIEF How to develop main elements

38. CONCLUSION Source: Adapted from Jones, N and C Walsh (2008) Key ingredients of effective policy briefs Evidence Persuasive Argument Clear purpose; cohesive argument; quality of evidence; transparency of evidence underpinning policy recommendations (e.g. a single study, a review of available evidence, etc.) Authority Messenger (individual or organisation) has credibility in eyes of policy-maker Policy context Audience context specificity Written to address specific context and needs of target audience; Actionable Recommendations Information linked to specific policy processes, clear and feasible recommendations on policy steps to be taken Engagement Presentation of evidence-informed opinions Presentation of author ’ s own views about policy implications of research findings; but clear identification of argument components that are opinion based Clear Language/ Writing Style Understandable by educated, non-specialist Appearance/Design Visually engaging, presentation of information through charts, graphs, photos