APRM BASICS: STRUCTURES AND STAGES OF THE REVIEW PROCESS

1. APRM BASICS: STRUCTURES AND STAGES OF THE REVIEW PROCESS ECA Peer Learning Workshop 20 – 21 February 2007 Presented by Nana Boateng

2. Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 Stage 5 6 to 9 Mths 2. APR Secretariat Develops a background paper on country 3. APR Secretariat develops an Issues Paper based on the background paper, the responses to the Questionnaire & the draft PoA. The issues paper may identify issues that require more in-depth analysis through Technical Assessments (TA) Country Support Mission 4.APR Secretariatarranges for Partner Institutions to conduct Technical Assessments on specific issues identified in Issues Paper. Reports are submitted to the APR Secretariat and the country under review 5. The APR Secretariat updates Issues Paper taking into account the findings of the Technical Assessments C O U N T R Y V I S I T C O U N T R Y R E P O R T A P R P A N E L A P R F O R U M • APR Secretariat • sends a questionnaire to be country to be reviewed 2C3.Country submits to the Secretariat the responses to the questionnaire and its PoA 5C. Country submits (if necessary) an update of its draft PoA Country establishes APR Focal Point If issues for TA: Country submits final PoA adjusted on basis of CRV and draft Country Report 2C1. In response, the Country undertakes the self-assessment on the basis of the Questionnaire 2C2. Country formulates a draftProgramme-of-Action (POA) If no issues for TA: = Country level processes 5 Stages of the APRM Process

3. Country Support Missions The primary purpose of the country support mission is to: • Ensure a common understanding of the philosophy, rules and processes of the APRM; • On the basis of the self-assessed needs of the Participating Country, plan and provide support to the Participating Countries in aspects of the national processes where they signal a need for such support. The Country Support Missions is planned in consultation with the APR Focal Point of the Participating Countries and will be scheduled in response to the indications of the countries of the most convenient timing for them.

4. Country Support Missions • Prerequisites For Country Support Mission • National Commission/ Governing Council • National APR Secretariat • Technical Research Institutions • Sensitization of stakeholders • Roadmap for implementation • Funding

5. CHALLENGES • Organising national structures • Designation of Focal Point; understanding FP role • Comprising the national commission; ensuring inclusiveness • Appointing TRIs – how to select • Sensitization of stakeholders • Funding and Resource mobilization

6. Drafting CSAR and POA • CSAR process requires a collation of objective (factual) and subjective (perceptions) information • Therefore, the NGC with support of TRIs have to SIMPLIFY the questionnaire and give as many people as possible the opportunity to contribute. • The CSAR has to go through a broad-based validation process • A POA has to be drafted after the CSAR. This is a negotiated process and the national APR structures have to involve the TRIs, Civil society reps, and Government. • Country must be prepared to make revisions as per recommendations from Lead Panel Member and Secretariat.

7. CHALLENGES • Simplifying the Questionnaire • Broad based participation, who to select and how to select; • Drafting the POA • Under-estimating the nature of the task; not allocating enough time • Not consulting enough with stakeholders • Costing activities • Clear goals, but vague activities (e.g enhance women empowerment) • identifying monitorable indicators • Keeping to the timelines of the review exercise

8. Innovations to overcome challenges COUNTRY LEVEL • Undertaking study tours and frequently sharing experiences • Sensitising population through TV, Radio, Posters, Music “APRM Song” • Decentralising APRM Structure i.e. a provincial/regional NGC • Simplifying questionnaire and translating into local languages • Securing funding by establishing a Trust Fund • Involving TRIs in the development of the POA SECRETARIAT LEVEL • Advance Missions – to sensitise and help put structures in place • Follow-up Missions – to ignite stalled processes • POA Technical Missions i.e. in Kenya, South Africa, Ghana

9. Country Review Missions • APR Secretariat Preparation • Independently develop background papers • Assessed country self-assessment reports and Programmes of Action • Prepare Issues Papers through evaluation of background papers, country self-assessment and Programmes of Action • Country Review Missions • Led by a Member of APR Panel with team of Technical Experts, Strategic Partners and Secretariat staff • Consultation with widest possible cross-section of national stakeholders • Explores further matters in the Issues Paper • Drafts Country Review Report • Contextual Chapter; CSAR Findings; CRM Findings; Recommendations; POA

10. Emerging Issues about Reviews and Post-review Phase • Duration of Reviews: Is 2-3 weeks long enough? • Methodology: incorporating stakeholder (subjective) perceptions • Addressing all CRM and CSAR governance challenges • POA: pragmatism vs wish list approach • Incorporating Country Comments – factual vs subjective

11. Way Forward • Need to understand and appreciate fully what the APR process entails • Need to continue to learn and improve the process with innovations

12. Thank You