A workshop on trade and poverty

1. Research-based policymaking (RBMD)Workshop on the teaching and research of trade and povertyDar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania, 22nd November 2007Joseph Clements Virtual Institute, UNCTAD

2. A workshop on trade and poverty • Why a round-table on RBPM in the above workshop? • The prospectus for this workshop (way back in July): We wanted to address every stage of the role of the researcher, as UNCTAD, among others, sees it • We began with concepts and empirical findings. We then looked at methodological and data issues. This morning we looked at policy implications. • The final stage is to now look at how researchers can communicate with policy makers and what better communication involves (from both sides)

3. Some background: UNCTAD’s work on RBPM • Since its origin in 1964, UNCTAD’s mandate has stressed the connections between its research and policy advice • The so-called ‘three pillars’: (1) research; (2) the intergovernmental process; (3) technical cooperation • The Virtual Insitute • A technical cooperation program assisting developing countries to build the capacities of their teaching and research institutions • Advocates for RBPM • Previous round-table in Geneva on the topic • Linking/networking members with policymakers through UNCTAD’s other technical cooperation programs and intergovernmental meetings

4. The Situation • A lack of communication between researchers and policymakers. • Policymakers are not always informed about ongoing research • Researchers often lack knowledge of the most pressing policy questions that they would need to make their research more relevant.

5. Concerns in Geneva and Tanzania « ... Some leaders were dictatorial as they neither incorporated opinions of people nor do they seek their consent before making various decisions » Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s office, Mr Mizengo Pirda, quoted in The Citizen, 17/11/07. « We have to have reinforcement from the capital » Ambassador Mauruping, Lesotho, Chair of the LDC group, WTO. « How do you support your position? You need data, information... We need data and arguments to support our negotiating positions » Ambassador Trevor Clarke, Barbados. « Sometimes the Ministry is not infromed about what is happening in Geneva » Bertram Johnson, Ministry of Trade, Barbados

6. A sample of problems raised this week • Honesty/credibility/trust: presenting several options/scenarios to policymakers (unlike the Uruguay round) – how do you present your research? • Demand and supply of research: do researchers ‘react’ to demands from policymakers or are they ‘proactive’ e.g. WTO negotiations vs. the research of ‘Asian drivers’ • Where do you get funding to sustain your research?

7. Research-based policymaking (RBMD) A working definition: The use of empirical and scientific evidence as the basis of policy decisions rather than other factors, such as outside influence, vested interests or “gut feeling” (AERC). This is uncontroversial, certainly within this room, so today we want to look at HOW RBMD is acheived Necessitates COMMUNICATION and NETWORKING between, and among, the research community and policymakers

8. A framework for our discussion 1. How to establish contacts between researchers and policymakers 2. How to make applied research policy-relevant. 3. How to communicate research findings to policy makers and disseminate your research 4. How to secure funding and build a sustainable capacity for research