Establishing Research and Evaluation Network on Child Issues in Indonesia Nuning Akhmadi Indonesia Research and Evaluation Network Manila, 7 – 8 November 2011

Background  There’s a need to support a national sustainable process of Monitoring & Evaluation capacity development through the implementation of a forum that will facilitate capacity building, networking and information sharing among researchers, evaluators, policy makers, advocacy NGOs/CSOs, and other relevant stakeholders  Conference on “Research on Child Issues in Indonesia” held in November 2010, organized by UNICEF Indonesia, National Development Planning Board (BAPPENAS), and SMERU Research Institute

Indonesia’s context  Indonesia is emerging as a middle income country, with increasing democracy in decentralized era  AusAID and National Development Planning Board have completed the design of a 15-year program to strengthen knowledge – to-policy linkages (  Indonesia Research and Evaluation Network (JPAI) can play a significant role to support a functioning knowledge-to-policy cycle as intermediary

A functioning knowledge-to-policy cycle Source: Rahwidiati,D. (2011) Revitalizing Indonesia’s Knowledge Sector for Development Policy) Policy Maker (Demand) Intermediary Research Institution (Supply) Intermediary Enabling Environment (policies, research systems) Policy information needs Commission research Quality check Package Research

Supply issues  Too few institutions supplying evidence-based knowledge/policy briefs on child issues to influence child issues policy making  Inadequate number of child issues networks to support researchers, evaluators and intermediaries in operational, academic and policy settings.  Lack of strategy for linking results of M&E with policy makers  Insufficient investment in building linkages with potential users of M&E results

Demand issues (ctd.)  Lack of demand from policy makers for quality evidence (due to need for contextual evidence, practical, policy relevant, speedy, timely and clear message)  Divergent needs and pressures regarding information usage  Demand for evidence to inform policy processes influenced by various factors and operating context.  Specialized research expertise/informed evidence-based knowledge vs general knowledge  Multiple competing influences upon policy decisions

Indonesia Research and Evaluation Network on Child Issues (JPAI) MISSION  Broaden access to knowledge through dissemination of research results, evaluations, data and information relating to child issues.  Improve the quality of research, evaluation, data and information relating to child issues through an empirical and cross disciplinary approach.  Bridge knowledge and policy by emphasizing and endorsing evidence-based policy recommendations on child issues to policy makers, advocacy organizations, and the media. VISION To establish a national network working towards fulfilling the rights of Indonesia’s children to live, grow, develop, participate, and to be free from violence and discrimination.

JPAI’s objectives  Increase research and evaluation activity and interest among network members  Strengthen network members’ capacity in conducting reseach and evaluation  Support efforts to improve network members’ capacity in conducting evidence based policy advocacy

How is JPAI’s Network structure?  Coordination Committee  Thematic sub-groups (e.g. Child Protection; Civil rights and freedom; Family, environment and alternative care; Basic health and welfare; Education, free time and cultural activities) led by Facilitators, and formed according to interest and necessity.  Secretariat: Administrator; Treasurer, and IT Officer

How is JPAI network composition?  Policy makers (executive, legislative, judicial, and other state offices)  Research centers/institutes and members of academia (affiliated or not affiliated with universities)  Practitioners, researchers and evaluators, professional research and evaluation associations  NGOs/CSOs  International development partners/donors  Mass media  Other stakeholders

What services provided?  Support capacity building efforts of network members  Assist members in writing up policy briefs published by network members  Disseminating policy briefs and research results to policy makers, media and general public  Promote and advocate use of findings, results, and knowledge from research and evaluation

Activities  Support Network functions: discussions, library, announcements & events  Support to the development and sharing of policy papers as well as policy-related research publication  Capacity building in bridging research and policy  Conduct multi stakeholders collaboration research with the participating universities, research centers, government & international agencies, and NGOs/CSOs  Organize annual scientific and policy meetings

Lessons learned in Networking in Indonesia  Finding strategic alliances and partnerships  Identifying common platform and focus of interests of like-minded members  Form and function of network: choosing the best strategies and share of functions & roles  Networking culture: openness and transparency; ethics in networking  Leadership: prominent figure  Ownership, time and resources allocated for networking

Challenges  Children issues is very broad, involving various sectors, ministries, and stakeholders  Reflecting the broad aspect of children issues in the Network strategies and activities  Better understanding of the links between policy makers and research/advocacy communities  Effective communication of evidence-based research findings and policy advocacy  Amplifying evidence-based M&E results through all modes of communication  Increasing capacity of network members to conduct M&E policy implementation and policy evaluation to improve child policies  Financing sources of network activities  Clear function and roles of network members towards mutual benefits

Way forward  Develop a Strategy/Action Plan towards achieving JPAI’s vision and mission  Mapping research and evaluation needed for the implementation of Long-term National Plan on child issues  Identifying major ongoing policy discussions  Mapping areas, existing capacity, and gaps, ensuring continued exchange over research and evaluation methodogy as well as findings  Building institutional bridges to support sustainable effective interactions  Institutional arrangement with other networks inside and outside Indonesia, including South South, South North, and North South exchanges

Working together for the rights of children!  Visit us:  Join us:  Links to community webs: Evidence-Based Policy in Development Network (EBPDN): EBPDN SEA: EBPDN SEA Indonesia : policynetwork policynetwork JPAI:  Mailing lists:

Thank You