using writeshops to produce policy briefs paul mundy independent specialist in development...
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Using writeshops to produce policy briefs
Paul MundyIndependent specialist in development communication [email protected], www.writeshops.org
Structure of a policy brief
Content
The masthead (series title)
Authors
Acknowledge-ments
Publication details
References
Boxes and sidebars
Cases
Tables
Graphics
Photographs
Title
Summary
Recommendations
Introduction
The body (main text)
Policy implications
Conclusions
Plus… And…
Elements of an NCCR brief Title
Max 80 chars Policy message
Max 640 chars Lead
Max 700 chars Main text
Max 7000 chars At least 6 subtitles Final section = Policy
implications Cases
Max 1630 chars 3 different countries
Boxes Ca 440 chars
Table or graphic Max 1
Photos Max 3 With captions
Further reading 2-3 key refs only
Authors Name, position, institution,
email This issue
Academic adviser, policy adviser, editors, design
Why policy briefs?
Demand: Government wants information on which to base policy
Supply: Organizations and projects have experience and knowledge Want to influence policy
Policymakers require specific types of information Short, easily to digest Non-technical language Focus on policy implications
Problems with producing policy briefs Do not know policymakers’ needs Do not know what a policy brief is Do not how to write in appropriate style Hard to get started Difficult to identify evidence and
recommendations Difficult to condense ideas and info to 2
pages
SNV guidelines for case writing
Paul Mundy www.mamud.com
How to produce policy briefs through writeshops Writeshops to produce policy briefs Mini-writeshop as part of larger event
Writeshops to produce policy briefs Within an organization Multiple organizations Training writeshops
ODI: India, S Africa, Vietnam
NCCR North-South: Switzerland
SNV: Zimbabwe
Training writeshops to produce policy briefs
Authors complete draft
Submit to editor
Editor works with author to finalize draft
Submit for approval
Publish
Training presentations
Group discussions and exercises
Individual work writing & editing
One-on-one writing clinics
Presentations by the authors
Identify authors (eg within your organization)
Invite authors to identify topic
Provide authors with a structure and guidelines
Get authors to prepare draft
Before Writeshop After
Mini-writeshop as part of larger event
Policy brief
Writeshop to produce book Conference or workshop
UN-HABITAT/IIRR Participatory enumerations
FAO/INMASP/IIRRFarmer field schools
Policy brief
Producing policy briefs as a result of a writeshop or conference Form small group during later part of event Define structure of policy brief Identify elements Allocate each element to small group or
individual Write drafts Present drafts Edit Layout
Training materials on policy briefs Paul Mundy: training materials
http://tinyurl.com/q2garlo Food and Agriculture Organization of
the United Nations: E-learning Centre www.fao.org/elearning/#/elc/en/course/FCOM
Overseas Development Institute: Policy briefs as a communication tool for development research www.odi.org/publications/425-policy-briefs-comm
unication-tool-development-research