Policy Influencing strategies & Tactics

What is Public policy? Public policy: It is a guideline to the actions of the governments in addressing societal problems. It is considered public because:  It deals with issues that touch many people  It requires the use of public resources in the attempt to find solutions  Involves the use of public policy making bodies (legislative).

Why does it matter? Policy is the instrument of governance:  It directs public resources in one direction but not another.  It is the outcome of the competition between ideas, interests and ideologies that present in any given political system. Consequently: It is a process that revolves around power relations between the powerful and the less powerful.

Shaping policy Strategies & Tactics What is a strategy? Planning change by laying out clear goals and deciding on how to best achieve those goals What is a tactic? It is the “doing aspect that follows the planning. It specifically refers to actions that will get the job done. Tactics are the ‘meet and the bread’ of the strategy

Shaping Policy Tactics & Strategies There are 3 factors to consider:  How democratic is the political system  The political culture of the country in terms of policy influencing  Understand the structure of the policy process in one’s country

Standard Policy Process Agenda-setting: Within the agenda-setting stage, the agencies and government officials meet to discuss the problem at hand. Option-formulation: In the second stage, option-formulation, alternative solutions are considered and final decisions are made regarding the best policy. Implementation: The decided policy is implemented during the final stage.

Standard Example of Policy Process In Parliamentary Democratic System:  Stage one – Ruling party conference gives vision, goals and direction.  EX: The ruling party may decide at their national conference that the policy regarding access to education should be that all children under the age of 17 must be in school – compulsory education. It is now the role of the party’s members in the executive and legislative arms of government to initiate the processes that will lead to the implementation of this policy.

Standard Example of Policy Process Stage two-Executive (Ministry) draws up policy on an issue:  the ruling party attempts to convert its party policy into official government policy. The policy proposed by the ruling party is debated and negotiated with various stakeholders, such as opposition parties, the public, non-government organizations, etc. During this time, the government ministries will draft discussion documents, on the policy or law to allow for debate and comment. Stakeholders can use different opportunities for input, such as attending parliamentary committee hearings, setting up meetings with department heads or the minister.

Standard Example of Policy Process Ex: The national Minister of Education now informs his/her department of the need for a policy document to be produced on this issue. This discussion paper will be drawn up by the Ministry and the Education Department with the help of advisors, experts in education, advisory committees, etc. The document identifies key issues and suggests alternatives. It is then made public and invites comment from all stakeholders and the public.

Standard Example of Policy Process Stage three - Finalizing a policy  Once a policy has been properly debated the Department and Ministry look at the issues and options and draw up a final policy which is published. It is a statement of intent which often forms the basis of legislation. It is debated and adopted by Parliament.

Standard Example of Policy Process  Ex: There may be input from Treasury saying that the government cannot afford to provide compulsory education immediately for all children under 17 years, so the policy should be phased in over 5 years. If agreed to by the Portfolio Committee these changes will be included in the revised document. Cabinet then has to approve the final policy.

Standard Example of Policy Process Stage five-implementing the law and policy  Once adopted by parliament the policy is published and it is up to national and provincial ministries and departments to implement the policy.

Lobbying Strategy It is a process through which organizations, groups or individuals commit to influence a powefurl decision making target for the cause of the public interest.

Lobbying Strategy 10 step approach to strategic lobbying: o Understand the problem o Master the political environment o Choose your targets o Define the request o Refine the request o Organize the meeting o Build & master your argument o Solicit a commitment o Follow up on the commitment made o Prepare for the unexpected

Tactics: Introduction to the Policy Brief What is it?  It is a short document that presents the findings & recommandations of a research project concerning a particular issue. What does it do?  It provides policy advice on the best solutions to adopt.

Important Considerations Before writing a policy brief one should take into account the following: Identify the problem To what policy issue does one’s brief relate? Does a policy or policies already exist? Framing the problem What aspects are problematic? How does one define the problem? How do others define the problem? What are the major disagreements or conflicts? Identifying actors Who are the actors?

Important Considerations Which actors are most likely to influence the outcome? What are their roles What are their interests? Who else has a significant role in the process? Key purpose of the policy brief? The key question is to establish clearly what one wants to accomplish through the policy brief