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MONITORING & ADVOCACY. Public Health Watch Open Society Institute. Definitions of monitoring. Different definitions, methods and goals for different disciplines OSI/PHW: Definition of monitoring: “to keep close watch over”; “to keep track of systematically
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MONITORING & ADVOCACY Public Health Watch Open Society Institute
Definitions of monitoring • Different definitions, methods and goals for different disciplines • OSI/PHW: • Definition of monitoring: “to keep close watch over”; “to keep track of systematically • Goal: activist/community-led monitoring as a tool for promoting informed public engagement in policymaking
Obstacles • Skepticism/resistance • Lack of policy/scientific grounding • Lack of vocabulary to translate experience • Lack of “evidence” • Lack of “access” • Lack of support (financial, institutional, moral) • Lack of confidence Consequences: frustration, alienation, apathy, complacent governments; insulated experts; poor policies
Responses/Approaches • Establish credibility • Develop methodological approach: reference to agreed-upon standard (comparability; operating at multiple levels) • Familiarize ourselves with technical vocabulary/concepts • Incorporation of multiple perspectives (governmental and non-governmental) • Strike constructive tone (acknowledge progress/positive steps as well as weaknesses; include recommendations) • Develop strong, persuasive materials (reports, bulletins, news articles, advocacy documents) to present research
Approaches, continued…. • Provide support • Financial (OSI as beginning point…) • Technical • Resources/materials (monitoring framework, literature, TAG Listserve) • Editing/production of advocacy materials • Moral • Shared approach • Access to opportunities/forums to present findings and exchange experiences • Development of support network to build confidence
Benefits • Citizen monitors are independent – can say things that bureaucrats can’t say • Direct experience has real value – can’t design effective services without input from people who will be using them. • Constructive critique leads to better, more efficient and effective policies and services • Scoring even small successes in demanding better policies and services is empowering – can spark community mobilization • Public engagement contributes to greater governmental accountability