Influencing policyInfluencing policy

Presentation to EQUALPresentation to EQUAL

March 2004March 2004

What is policy?What is policy?

A course of action pursued by governmentA course of action pursued by government We therefore need to address the process, We therefore need to address the process,

structures, procedures, actors whereby structures, procedures, actors whereby decisions are taken for the allocation of decisions are taken for the allocation of money, resources, the public good and the money, resources, the public good and the regulation of societyregulation of society

It is not a clear process. Many parts are hidden It is not a clear process. Many parts are hidden from public viewfrom public view

Who makes or influences policy?Who makes or influences policy? GovernmentGovernment The OireachtasThe Oireachtas Public service, administrators and regulatorsPublic service, administrators and regulators Local governmentLocal government Political partiesPolitical parties Lobbyists and interestsLobbyists and interests Social partnersSocial partners Voluntary and community organizationsVoluntary and community organizations European UnionEuropean Union Think tanks (ESRI, TASC)Think tanks (ESRI, TASC) MediaMedia

Different bodies that must be addressed in different waysDifferent bodies that must be addressed in different waysDetails of all relevant bodies in IPA YearbookDetails of all relevant bodies in IPA Yearbook

Policy making: a rational model?Policy making: a rational model?

Problem is definedProblem is defined Information is gathered and researchedInformation is gathered and researched

Information is analysedInformation is analysed Government may appoint committee/task forceGovernment may appoint committee/task force

Options are considered A, B, C, DOptions are considered A, B, C, D Decisions are taken (e.g. white paper, budget, legislation)Decisions are taken (e.g. white paper, budget, legislation)

Implementation systems are set in placeImplementation systems are set in place After a period of time, evaluatedAfter a period of time, evaluated

Cycle is recommencedCycle is recommenced

But is it really quite this simple…?But is it really quite this simple…?

Not a clear processNot a clear process

Some players are hidden from viewSome players are hidden from view Some enter and exit unevenlySome enter and exit unevenly Balance of forces difficult to assessBalance of forces difficult to assess Outcomes not always clear or decisiveOutcomes not always clear or decisive A dynamic processA dynamic process Four stages: defining the issue, getting in on Four stages: defining the issue, getting in on

the political agenda, shaping the response, the political agenda, shaping the response, implementation and monitoringimplementation and monitoring

First steps to influencing policyFirst steps to influencing policy

Step back from the day to day workStep back from the day to day work Identify the policy domainIdentify the policy domain Deciding that you Deciding that you wantwant to influence policy to influence policy Set down objectivesSet down objectives Set down a system of planning, evaluating, Set down a system of planning, evaluating,

using resources, mobilization, ensuring using resources, mobilization, ensuring supportsupport

Time to reflectTime to reflect

Identifying the policy domainIdentifying the policy domain

WhoWho decides, shapes policy in your area? decides, shapes policy in your area?

[e.g. ministers, parties, European Union, government department][e.g. ministers, parties, European Union, government department] WhereWhere are the expressions of policy? are the expressions of policy? (white paper, budget, (white paper, budget,

statement in Dail)statement in Dail) WhatWhat is the policy? Does it work? is the policy? Does it work? WhoWho are the current actors? are the current actors? WhatWhat else is on the policy menu? What other else is on the policy menu? What other

solutions are on offer?solutions are on offer? WhoWho are the other potential actors? are the other potential actors?

What is influencing policy?What is influencing policy?

A A systematicsystematic course of action for a course of action for a special purposespecial purpose This means that it is planned and has objectivesThis means that it is planned and has objectives Its aim is a different result, outcome, a change in behaviour Its aim is a different result, outcome, a change in behaviour

(either new behaviour, different behaviour, ceased behaviour), (either new behaviour, different behaviour, ceased behaviour), with changed values or procedures.with changed values or procedures.

It could also involve different spending patterns or priorities, It could also involve different spending patterns or priorities, including people who were not included before, consulting including people who were not included before, consulting people who were not consulted before.people who were not consulted before.

Raising awareness is Raising awareness is notnot changing policy. changing policy.

Planning to influence policyPlanning to influence policy

What is the problem, the difficulty, the issue?What is the problem, the difficulty, the issue? Why is it a problem? Why are its effects so serious? What Why is it a problem? Why are its effects so serious? What

costs does it impose?costs does it impose? Is it a problem of policy, resources, procedures or what?Is it a problem of policy, resources, procedures or what? What do we want done about it?What do we want done about it? What would be the consequences of this change?What would be the consequences of this change? Who might oppose it and why?Who might oppose it and why? What are the benefits, to whom, if the problem is solved?What are the benefits, to whom, if the problem is solved? So who do we want to do what?So who do we want to do what?

Getting startedGetting started

Agreement on objectivesAgreement on objectives Researching and preparing one’s caseResearching and preparing one’s case A plan for engagement: who are we planning to change, how A plan for engagement: who are we planning to change, how

and in what way?and in what way? Setting up allies and supportersSetting up allies and supporters Contact points and organizers: Who does what?Contact points and organizers: Who does what? Resources Resources Ensuring a continued mandateEnsuring a continued mandate

What is needed to influence policyWhat is needed to influence policy

Information and analysisInformation and analysis Knowledge of how the system worksKnowledge of how the system works Presenting one’s case to people, media personablyPresenting one’s case to people, media personably Writing lettersWriting letters Building links and networkingBuilding links and networking Doing mundane activities well (e.g. annual reports)Doing mundane activities well (e.g. annual reports) Persistence, persistence and persistencePersistence, persistence and persistence A belief in successA belief in success More knowledge, determination than the other sideMore knowledge, determination than the other side Making mistakes, stopping, evaluating, humourMaking mistakes, stopping, evaluating, humour

Why influencing policy is difficultWhy influencing policy is difficult

Not knowing where to startNot knowing where to start Lacking informationLacking information Keeping up to dateKeeping up to date Not being able to get in the resourcesNot being able to get in the resources Negotiating with the suitsNegotiating with the suits Making mistakesMaking mistakes

Influencing policy: general Influencing policy: general principlesprinciples

Set short, medium and long-term objectivesSet short, medium and long-term objectives Winning of small, early successesWinning of small, early successes Setting down priorities, not everything at onceSetting down priorities, not everything at once Period of reviewPeriod of review Matching skills to peopleMatching skills to people Conserve energies. Most take a long time.Conserve energies. Most take a long time. Make decisions about style and approachMake decisions about style and approach CreativityCreativity

Working with the political Working with the political systemsystem

Which part should we approach? Officials, Which part should we approach? Officials, ministers? Public servants (at what level?)ministers? Public servants (at what level?)

Who has responsibility? Who can solve the Who has responsibility? Who can solve the problem? Who else is involved?problem? Who else is involved?

Ireland has an accessible but poorly resourced Ireland has an accessible but poorly resourced political system.political system.

Influencing the OireachtasInfluencing the Oireachtas Value and importance under-ratedValue and importance under-rated A pressurized, overloaded, reactive, verbal system. One page A pressurized, overloaded, reactive, verbal system. One page

only. Driven by incoming.only. Driven by incoming. Responds well to specifics.Responds well to specifics. Several avenues: questions, adjournment, debates, Bills, Several avenues: questions, adjournment, debates, Bills,

access to ministers.access to ministers. Work on a cross-party basis. Spokespersons in both houses. Work on a cross-party basis. Spokespersons in both houses.

Don’t forget the Senate.Don’t forget the Senate. Members will offer advice.Members will offer advice. Meetings must be businesslike.Meetings must be businesslike. Support does not follow predictable patterns. Some have Support does not follow predictable patterns. Some have

specific interests: follow the debates.specific interests: follow the debates. No substitute for systematic lobbying of members.No substitute for systematic lobbying of members.

Working with central, local Working with central, local governmentgovernment

Central government well resourced, local not.Central government well resourced, local not. Details in IPA yearbook. The importance of going in Details in IPA yearbook. The importance of going in

at the right level.at the right level. Civil servants read.Civil servants read. Don’t forget planning units, libraries.Don’t forget planning units, libraries. Local authorities poor at documenting their work.Local authorities poor at documenting their work. Local authorities accountable through councillorsLocal authorities accountable through councillors Benefits of long-term relationships with councillors.Benefits of long-term relationships with councillors.

Influencing EuropeInfluencing Europe Know the institutions, role, proceduresKnow the institutions, role, procedures Commission is main driver. Identifiable, accessible officials.Commission is main driver. Identifiable, accessible officials. Role of the COMDOCRole of the COMDOC Can be effectively influenced through MEPs, European Can be effectively influenced through MEPs, European

networks, own government.networks, own government. Also recognize role of intergroups, agencies, ESC, CoRAlso recognize role of intergroups, agencies, ESC, CoR Keeping up to date costs time, effort, money, but made easier Keeping up to date costs time, effort, money, but made easier

by:by:Europa websiteEuropa websiteIrish information sourcesIrish information sourcesNetworksNetworksIndependent news sources and guidesIndependent news sources and guides

Commissions and task forces etcCommissions and task forces etc Governments set them up for different reasons Governments set them up for different reasons

(unsure, to collect expertise, build consensus, holding (unsure, to collect expertise, build consensus, holding actions, resolve rivalry, legitimize)actions, resolve rivalry, legitimize)

Many forms: Commissions, initiatives, review Many forms: Commissions, initiatives, review groups, task force, working group, expert working groups, task force, working group, expert working group, interdepartmental group, advisory group, group, interdepartmental group, advisory group, review body, forumreview body, forum

A good opportunity for access, networkingA good opportunity for access, networking Good opportunity to present own policyGood opportunity to present own policy How do you measure and what do you do with the How do you measure and what do you do with the

outcome?outcome?

Role of policy documentsRole of policy documents To define a problemTo define a problem State the factsState the facts Analyse the government’s responseAnalyse the government’s response Criticize and sow doubtCriticize and sow doubt Take in models from elsewhereTake in models from elsewhere Look at the policy menusLook at the policy menus Put forward options and proposalsPut forward options and proposals Build allies and supportersBuild allies and supporters Establish organization as a playerEstablish organization as a player Show seriousness of intentShow seriousness of intent Talk ideas and get moneyTalk ideas and get money Can be re-used with other bodiesCan be re-used with other bodies Only as good as one’s ability to land in the right place, followup workOnly as good as one’s ability to land in the right place, followup work

Content of a policy submissionContent of a policy submission

Who we are and why we are doing thisWho we are and why we are doing this The nature of the problem (causes, extent, The nature of the problem (causes, extent,

outcomes, hardship, consequences)outcomes, hardship, consequences) What can be done, how this can be avoidedWhat can be done, how this can be avoided What should be done. Who must do what.What should be done. Who must do what. Benefits of solutions, costs of non-solutions.Benefits of solutions, costs of non-solutions.

Legitimacy – pain - visionLegitimacy – pain - vision

Making policy proposals effectiveMaking policy proposals effective

Short, not repetitive, making every word countShort, not repetitive, making every word count Avoid jargon, using plain EnglishAvoid jargon, using plain English Proper layout, checking, presentationProper layout, checking, presentation Decide who it is going to Decide who it is going to beforebefore you start you start Making the follow-up plan Making the follow-up plan beforebefore you start you start Decide who you want to meet afterwardsDecide who you want to meet afterwards Plan follow-up letters, questionsPlan follow-up letters, questions

Testing the impact of policy reportsTesting the impact of policy reports

How many copies left? Best-seller?How many copies left? Best-seller? Are people still talking about it?Are people still talking about it? Still debated in Oireachtas?Still debated in Oireachtas? Referenced by state, research bodies?Referenced by state, research bodies? Asked to present it to external audiences?Asked to present it to external audiences?

Role of research reportsRole of research reports

Important for an organization to know its own Important for an organization to know its own factsfacts

Vital if planning to convince othersVital if planning to convince others Raise debate from anecdotal to quantifiableRaise debate from anecdotal to quantifiable Anticipate the arguments againstAnticipate the arguments against Generally considered seriously by govt, mediaGenerally considered seriously by govt, media Only as good as targeting and follow-upOnly as good as targeting and follow-up

Making research reports effectiveMaking research reports effective

Publication generally regarded as end of process. Many Publication generally regarded as end of process. Many exhausted. But Who will they be sent to, who will be asked to exhausted. But Who will they be sent to, who will be asked to

do what, what should it achieve in a year’s time?do what, what should it achieve in a year’s time?

Draw up a mailing list of:Draw up a mailing list of:- Political communityPolitical community- Administrative communityAdministrative community- MediaMedia- AlliesAllies- Research bodies, institutes, think tanks, librariesResearch bodies, institutes, think tanks, libraries

Plan for meetings, debates, discussions, Plan for meetings, debates, discussions, promotion campaign.promotion campaign.

Using newsletters to influence policyUsing newsletters to influence policy

Enables organizations to define issuesEnables organizations to define issues Newsletters should bring newsNewsletters should bring news Create a sense of who we are, what we are Create a sense of who we are, what we are

doing and why we are communicating it to youdoing and why we are communicating it to you Good way of involving people, members in Good way of involving people, members in

policypolicy Newsletters should run editorialsNewsletters should run editorials Supplement policy, research workSupplement policy, research work

Mailing listsMailing lists

One of the most important tasks. Organization’s One of the most important tasks. Organization’s effectiveness depends on an accurate up to date and effectiveness depends on an accurate up to date and well targeted mailing list.well targeted mailing list.

Essential for newsletters, research & policy reports, Essential for newsletters, research & policy reports, annual reportsannual reports

Represent the universe you wish to reach (political, Represent the universe you wish to reach (political, administrative, research, media). Trawl IPA.administrative, research, media). Trawl IPA.

Check it is up to date, delete the dead, add new Check it is up to date, delete the dead, add new people, enquirers. people, enquirers. Who should be added?Who should be added?

Circulate among members for verificationCirculate among members for verification

Perspective of the lobbiedPerspective of the lobbied

The lobbied respond best to people who:The lobbied respond best to people who: Know what they wantKnow what they want Can distinguish short, medium, long termCan distinguish short, medium, long term Are up to date and know their fieldAre up to date and know their field Supply regular and reliable informationSupply regular and reliable information Get in at the appropriate level, often juniorGet in at the appropriate level, often junior Are brief and to the pointAre brief and to the point Leave one page behindLeave one page behind Appreciate another side to the argumentAppreciate another side to the argument Appreciate the limits of their lobbyingAppreciate the limits of their lobbying