Communication Environmental Research to Policymakers: Exploring Population, Health and Environment Linkages

Download workshop forms:

• Form 1: APPLICATION FORM
• Form 2: WORKSHOP STATEMENT
• Form 3: FUNDING FORM
• Form 4: REFERENCE FORM

Many scientific groups and environmental scientists agree that aspects of a population's growth, composition, and distribution can lead to environmental changes that affect human and ecosystem health. Audiences influential in setting national policy agendas, such as the media and government officials, often inadequately reflect those linkages in their reports and policy decisions. Yet every year valuable human and financial resources are spent to produce environment research results that fail to reach policymakers and, consequently, are not used to shape policies and programs.

The Institute of Resource Assessment (University of Dar es Salaam) and the Population Reference Bureau are organizing an intensive workshop that would help bridge the gap between researchers and policymakers. Sessions will help participants understand how to better communicate the population and health components of environmental research, identify the policy and program implications of survey data and research studies, understand how research can influence the policy process, and communicate research findings in simple and compelling formats.

WORKSHOP OBJECTIVE
The objective of the workshop is to learn how to maximize policymakers' and planners' use of research results that illustrate the interaction of population, health and environment variables. Specifically, participants will learn how to:

• Address problems policymakers face with integrated research
• Understand how research findings enter and influence the policy process
• Develop a policy-level communication strategy and action plan
• Design a media strategy, write press releases and give interviews to journalists
• Prepare and present short policy documents such as policy memoranda and fact sheets
• Create and deliver oral policy presentations using a computer-based graphics program

At the end of the workshop, and over one year, participants:

• Develop an action plan to use the workshop knowledge and skills over one year
• Communicate and seek advice on implementing the action plan through regular correspondence with fellow participants and workshop organizers
• Report on progress on their action plan

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
The workshop is designed for researchers, program managers, and others responsible for formulating and implementing environmental programs. Participants should have a strong background in research and data analysis as well as experience with computers.

We require that each participant bring environmental survey data or their own research results that can be used to address a policy problem relevant to their work. Ideally, participants should address issues relevant to their own programs. To make effective use of the training, participants should have access to computer facilities at their home institutions.

WORKSHOP SESSIONS
The workshop consists of a combination of plenary and small working-group sessions, emphasizing a hands-on, participatory approach. Sessions cover six areas, each with a corresponding output:

Exploring population-health-environment integration
In a roundtable discussion and presentation, participants explore examples and case studies of different aspects of integrated work. The discussion includes research design, organizational priorities, programmatic challenges, funding perspectives, policy implications, indicators, and monitoring and evaluation tools. Participants explore solutions to the challenges of communicating results from integrated research.

Exploring the research-to-policy gap and designing policy-relevant research
Participants examine contradictory ideas about the research process, and differing roles of researchers and policymakers. Interactive exercises use case studies illustrating the design of policy-relevant research and participatory approaches to the research process.

Developing strategies for the communication of research results
Each participant develops a comprehensive communication strategy that incorporates the following: communication or advocacy objectives, audience identification, message development, channels and formats for delivering messages, and expected outcome actions. Discussion covers how to identify key communication constraints and opportunities, carry out an action plan, manage controversy, and evaluate performance.

Communicating research results through the media
A comprehensive environmental policy-communication strategy requires an understanding of how to work effectively with the media. Participants practice strategies to communicate their research results to policymakers through newspapers, radio and television. Skill-building exercises include drafting a press release and practicing skills such as interview techniques.

Preparing policy documents and briefings
Policy audiences are individuals and groups who have the power to enact laws, make regulations, and set policies, or to influence these processes. Although these groups are often difficult to reach, presentation techniques designed for such audiences can enhance communication efforts significantly. Participants draft a policy document and prepare a briefing for a high-level government official based on issues relevant to their country.

Making oral presentations using computer graphics
The workshop provides hands-on training in computer-graphics presentations using PowerPoint. Each participant prepares a 10-15 minute oral presentation, supported by computer graphics, that communicates research findings to a selected policy audience. Presentations are videotaped and critiqued. These sessions introduce a step-by-step approach to organizing effective policy presentations and provide design tips for presenting text, graphs, charts, and diagrams.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE AND DEADLINES
Persons who wish to take part in the workshop should send the completed application forms and other application documents as soon as possible to:

The Director
Institute of Resource Assessment,
University of Dar es Salaam,
P.O. 35097 Dar es Salaam
TANZANIA
Attn: Prof. Ndalahwa F. Madulu

Fax: +255 22-2410144
E-Mail: [email protected] or [email protected]

Application materials should arrive at IRA no later than September 7th, 2001.

Fees

Tuition and fees                $US1,841

Housing                            $US910

Subsistence                      $US490

Total (excluding airfare)   $US 3,241

Prospective applicants are expected to seek funding from their home organizations or from national or international agencies. Copies of application materials should be submitted directly to those agencies. Evidence that support is available should be forwarded to the Institute of Resource Assessment as soon as it is known.

Applicants who are seeking funding should submit their application forms to meet the deadline. Information of funding can then be forwarded to IRA as soon as it is obtained. Interested candidates who obtain funding after the 7th September deadline are encouraged to submit late applications, as space may still be available for participants who are fully funded.

IRA and PRB can provide tuition waivers, housing, subsistence and airfare to a limited number of candidates. Apart from these limited sources, applicants are expected to seek their own financial support.

ACCOMMODATION
The workshop will be held at the Peacock Hotel in Dar es Salaam. The hotel is conveniently located right in the City, some 12 kilometers from the Dar es Salaam International Airport and a kilometer from the Dar es Salaam harbour. It is located near the major shopping areas and various social and recreational facilities.

THE INSTITUTE OF RESOURCE ASSESSMENT
The Institute of Resource Assessment (IRA), formerly Bureau of Resource Assessment and Land Use Planning (BRALUP) was established in 1967. The main goal was support the government in planning and assessment of both human and natural resources. It also provides advice to government on issues related to sustainable utilization of existing natural resources. IRA conducts independent research but also provides teaching and consultancy services. Over the years IRA has built capacity and expertise in various research areas, including socio-economic, demographic, ecological monitoring, and natural resource planning and management.

IRA has a strong history of multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research in Tanzania. The range of manpower available demonstrates the emphasis placed on multidisciplinary approach. Similarly, IRA has a mandate and ability to co-opt and work with staff from within and outside the University of Dar es Salaam. IRA also collaborates with various government ministries, NGOs, and various international institutions in undertaking development-oriented research and providing advice to government institutions.

The Institute is also fully involved in issues related to environmental conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. It is one of the few Institutes in the country that have experienced staff in EIA practices and training. IRA runs demand-driven short courses in EIA; Environmental Economics, Remote Sensing, Integration of Population Variables in Development Planning, Integrated Research Methodologies and other tailored environmental trainings.

In an effort to disseminate the institute's research findings, there is a publication section that deals with the sales and distribution of publications inside and outside Tanzania. The IRA's publications are in a form of research reports, service papers and monographs. Some of these publications are distributed freely to specific clients e.g. government ministries and parastatal organization. IRA also conducts workshops, conferences and seminars as means of disseminating its research findings.

More detailed information on IRA's research activities and publications are available at the Institute, University Library and in the IRA's webpage (www.ira.udsm.ac.tz).

THE POPULATION REFERENCE BUREAU
Founded in 1929, the Population Reference Bureau (PRB) is the leading source of timely and objective information on U.S. and international population trends. PRB informs policy makers, educators, the media, and concerned citizens working in the public interest around the world through a broad range of activities. These include publications, information services, seminars and workshops, and technical support. PRB is a nonprofit, nonadvocacy, educational organization supported by government contracts, foundation grants, individual and corporate contributions, and the sale of publications. PRB is governed by a Board of Trustees representing diverse community and professional interests.

PRB's Population, Health and Environment (PHE) Program improves people's lives around the world by increasing awareness of critical PHE linkages and by promoting a better understanding of their causes, consequences and the ways they can be addressed.

Support for this workshop is provided by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) through the MEASURE Communication project and by the Summit Foundation.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Prof. N.F. Madulu.
Institute of Resource Assessment
University of Dar es Salaam
TANZANIA
Tel: (+255) 022 2410144
Fax: (+255) 022 2410393
E-mail: [email protected]