Evidence-based Policy in Development Network: Japan G8 Global Project

1. Evidence-based Policy in Development Network: Japan G8 Global Project Inception Workshop: Shangari – La Hotel, Accra, Ghana 8- 10 October 2007 Fletcher Tembo, ODI, London. F.tembo@odi.org.uk

2. Overview • About ODI, RAPID and EBPDN • Rationale for Global project • Rationale for the workshop • What is the G8 and what can it do for us? • Issues facing the G8 in general • Japan and East Asia • Japan G8 • Prospective agenda • TICAD and TICAD CSF • The strategy for the workshop

3. Overseas Development Institute • Development Think Tank • 60 researchers • Research / Advice / Public Debate • Rural / Humanitarian / Poverty & Aid / Economics / Policy Processes • DFID, Parliament, WB, EC • Civil Society For more information see: www.odi.org.uk

4. RAPID Group • Promoting evidence-based development policy & practice • Through • Research • Advice • Public Affairs • Capacity-building • Working with: • researchers • policymakers • parliamentarians • southern think tanks • Civil society for further information see: www.odi.org.uk/rapid / www.odi.org.uk/cspp

5. Evidence Based Policy in Development Network • A seven year DFID-funded programme to establish a worldwide community of practice for promoting more evidence-based pro-poor development policies • Key Activities: • A wide range of capacity development activities including: practical training (multiplied through training of trainers); • Small-scale collaborative projects between community members. These might include practical action-research projects aiming at specific policy process at national, regional and global level, or research and information activities. • Establishing a community website to provide: knowledge on bridging research and policy; details of members of the network; a directory of training and advisory expertise; discussion fora; project areas; and a partnership brokering area. • Information and knowledge exchange through: conferences, workshops and seminars; printed and web-based publications; and links with other networks. See: www.ebpdn.org for further info

6. Global Project: G8 Japan • Agreed at the 2006 CSPP annual meetings at ODI as a collaborative project for all members • Aim: Advancement of research-evidence on effectiveness of Japanese aid on Global South, engaging Southern CSO actors on the desirable future structure, instruments and major processes of her aid system, as it fits the 2008 international agenda window, in which the Japan will have a high profile as chair of G8

7. Global Project: Japan G8 • Objectives • Gathering and synthesizing research-based evidence on Japanese assistance, with a view to influencing pro-poor development assistance startegies for global south. • Formulation and dissemination of debate on aid architecture globally through effective communication strategy. • Consolidating a Southern-led global policy network on international aid architecture issues. • Characteristics • Collective perspective • Focus: with 2 or 3 resounding issues! • Based on country consultations • Main Output: A global synthesis report that will be disseminated to the wider audience culminating at the Summit in Japan

8. Rationale for Accra workshop • Agree on two or three policy areas on which to focus to influence G8 Japan outcomes • Develop methodology for gathering and synthesizing research-based evidence. • Develop a communication and lobbying strategy

9. What is the G8 and what can it do and not do? • Established in 1975, for the heads of state of the major industrial democracies to meet annually to deal with the major economic and political issues facing their domestic societies and the international community as a whole. Started as G6 (France, US, Britain, Germany, Japan and Italy; and then G7 with Canada in 1976) and then became G8 in 1998 with Russia. • The G7/8 Summit has consistently dealt with macroeconomic management, international trade, and relations with developing countries • Rotating hosting/chairing throughout the summit cycle at the end of the calendar year, as follows: France, United States, United Kingdom, Russia (as of 2006), Germany, Japan, Italy and Canada. Throughout the year, the leaders' personal representatives – known as sherpas – meet regularly to discuss the agenda and monitor progress. It is also accompanied by ministerial meetings (finance, • Summit decisions often create and build international regimes to deal with new international challenges, and catalyze, revitalize and reform existing international institutions. • the summit attracts the attention of thousands of journalists at each leaders' meeting, and of a number of countries seeking admittance to this exclusive and powerful club. It has also become a prime occasion for civil society organizations for advocacy and a site for anti-globalisation protests since Birmingham in 1998 Source: http://www.g7.utoronto.ca/

10. What can the G8 do for us? • An important issue about the G8 is its political capital which is effective in striking new deals, necessary under globilisation. The G8 has the unique capacity to combine politics with economics. • the G8 performs more favourably on commitments that involve: minimal coordination among G8 states, few obligations beyond the provision of funds, and quantifiable goals. • Weakest in building domestic support for the tough policies needed for international measures. • Therefore the G8 is good for those high profile decisions that cannot be made at lower levels but that resonate with their domestic policies • Measuring G8 performance around • Leadership, effectiveness, solidarity, durability, acceptability and consistency

11. G8 Programme to 2008 • Summit: July 7-9, Toyako, Hokkaido • Foreign Ministers: June 26-27, Kyoto • Finance Ministers: June 13-14, Osaka • Energy: Early June, Aomori • Justice and Interior: June 11-13, Tokyo • Environment: May 25-27, Kobe • Labour: May 11-13, Niigata • Development: Early April, Tokyo • G20 Dialogue: March 14-16, Chiba • Tokyo International Conference on African Development, May 28-30, Yokohama[62]

12. Japan and Africa Regional Strategy report Implementing Guidelines for Regional Projects in Africa Focal Issues in assistance to Africa Social Development Economic Development Agriculture/ Agricultural Development 社会開発 Water Supply Infrastructure Building Education Health/ Medical Care Promotion of Trade & Investment Task Strategy Reports by Region Promotion of SME Basic Education HIV/AIDS Water Supply in Villages Agriculture/ Agricultural Development NEPAD Infrastructure Building Task strategy reports for each regions are necessary for the promotion of programming Source: ppt presentation by Mr. Kiyoto Kurokawa, Senior Adviser, JICA

13. Possible Agenda • By Toronto G8 research group • Africa • Climate Change • Environment • Nuclear Safety • African Development • Intellectual Property Rights • Afghanistan • Heiligendamm Process • Other • By GRIPS • TICAD IV will be critical but the following issues are on table: boosting economic growth in Africa, Ensuring “Human Security” through poverty reduction – achieve MDGs, peace stability and democratisation; climate change See: http://www.g8.utoronto.ca/evaluations/2008hokkaido/2008plan/2008plan.html

14. Directions of assistance to Africa: Growth Perspective September 2003 “Poverty Reduction through Economic Growth” suggested as one of the 3 pillars of assistance toward Africa in TICADⅢ November 2004 TICAD Asia-Africa Trade and Investment Conference Five points emphasized by the Chairman: 1) Importance of infrastructure as a basis of development 2) Creating employment opportunity, the important role of growth in reducing poverty 3) Importance of community development as an engine for growth 4) Comprehensive approach to lead growth to poverty reduction 5) Partnership with Asian Countries having achieved growth Strengthening “economic development” (including infrastructure building) in addition to “social development” Source: ppt presentation by M. Kiyoto Kurokawa, Senior Adviser, JICA

15. How different is Japan from other donors? Source: ppt presentation by GRIPS team

16. Features of Japanese Aid • Dual identity as donor and latecomer: growth aspiration, real sector concern • Field-based, concrete thinking; pragmatism • Passive ODA policy; clumsy speaker • Ethical debts to neighboring Asia • Fragmented aid system (both policy & implementation • Weak political interest in ODA policymaking Source: ppt presentation by GRIPS

17. Purpose and Significance of Assistance for Private Sector Development (Promotion of SMEs) Economic growth is a prerequisite for poverty reduction. Development of the private sector (especially promotion of SMEs) contributes greatly to economic growth. (Based on the experience in Asia) SMEs are deeply rooted in the community, and hence economic growth through fostering and promoting SMEs greatly contributes to development of the community, and furthermore to the establishment of social security and the capacity development of individuals through job creation and income generation, thereby contributing to poverty reduction in accordance with “Human Security”. Source: ppt presentation by Mr. Kiyoto Kurokawa, Senior Adviser, JICA

18. Concept for Promoting SMEs in Africa Approach to the promotion of SMEs －Strategic and comprehensive approaches to policy, market and community － Economic growth and job creation/income generation Assistance in establishing a policy framework such as policies for promoting SMEs. • Cooperation with JBIC, JETRO, AOTS, NEXI and other donors • Enhancement of South-South cooperation • Utilization of South Africa’s economic power Policy Market Assistance in strengthening the linkage with the market, including marketing, and expanding sales channels. Community Empowerment for income generation in regions and communities. Source: ppt presentation by Mr. Kiyoto Kurokawa, Senior Adviser, JICA

19. “One village, One product” Program in Malawi JETRO Introduction of the “One village, One product” movement in Ooita Technical cooperation project ・Experts （small-scale business, marketing, micro-credit, agricultural product processing, fungi, etc.) ・Training （processing technology, business, etc. ） African Fair Displayed product from OVOP (baobab jam, moringa oil, honey, etc.) Local yet global Promotion of industries Independence and originality Human resources development "One village, One product“ Secretariat Regional Training ASEAN “One village, One product” Seminar Asia-Africa Joint Knowledge Creation Seminar Development of a distribution and sales network Volunteer （village development, vegetables, fruit trees, livestock breeding, agricultural machinery, Bamboo wares, package designing, etc.) Management and development of systems Human resources development Propagation of philosophy Small farm production Product nurturing Nationwide Production Group Mushrooms Vegetable oil Stockfish Cow milk, etc. Source: ppt presentation by Mr. Kiyoto Kurokawa, Senior Adviser, JICA

20. Additional essential references on the G8 • http://www.g7.utoronto.ca/ • https://www.ashgate.com/shopping/search_results.asp?seriesid=1142&seriesdesc=G8%20and%20Global%20Governance,%20The&location=series • http://www.fpif.org/briefs/vol7/v7n09g8.html • http://www.politicos.co.uk/books/70117.htm • http://www.fes.de/ipg/inhalt_d/pdf/03_Fues_US.pdf • http://www3.brookings.edu/global/pubs/200702_09governance.pdf • http://www.die-gdi.de/die_homepage.nsf/FSeauf?OpenFrameset

21. Cabinet Donors Policy Formulation Parliament Agenda Setting Decision Making Civil Society Ministries Monitoring and Evaluation Policy Implementation Private Sector Policy Processes

22. Policy makers are… …practically incapable of using research-based evidence because of the 5 Ss… • Speed • Superficiality • Spin • Secrecy • Scientific Ignorance Vincent Cable – Lib. Democrat MP & Shadow Minister of Finance More at: www.odi.org.uk/RAPID/Meetings/Evidence

23. Policy Makers’ Evidence Researchers’ Evidence • ‘Scientific’ (Context free) • Proven empirically • Theoretically driven • As long as it takes • Caveats and qualifications • Colloquial (Contextual) • Anything that seems reasonable • Policy relevant • Timely • Clear Message Different Notions of Evidence Source: Phil Davies Impact to Insight Meeting, ODI, 2005

24. External Influences Socio-economic and cultural influences, donor policies etc The political context – political and economic structures and processes, culture, institutional pressures, incremental vs radical change etc. The links between policy and research communities – networks, relationships, power, competing discourses, trust, knowledge etc. An Analytical Framework The evidence – credibility, the degree it challenges received wisdom, research approaches and methodology, simplicity of the message, how it is packaged etc

25. External Influences Campaigning, Lobbying Policy analysis, & research Scientific information exchange & validation A Practical Framework political context Politics and Policymaking Media, Advocacy, Networking Research, learning & thinking evidence links

26. What you need to do • Work with them – seek commissions • Strategic opportunism – prepare for known events + resources for others • Get to know the policymakers. • Identify friends and foes. • Prepare for policy opportunities. • Look out for policy windows. • Who are the policymakers? • Is there demand for ideas? • What is the policy process? • Build a reputation • Action-research • Pilot projects to generate legitimacy • Good communication • Establish credibility • Provide practical solutions • Establish legitimacy. • Present clear options • Use familiar narratives. • What is the current theory? • What are the narratives? • How divergent is it? • Build partnerships. • Identify key networkers, mavens and salesmen. • Use informal contacts • Get to know the others • Work through existing networks. • Build coalitions. • Build new policy networks. • Who are the stakeholders? • What networks exist? • Who are the connectors, mavens and salesmen?

27. The 5 rules for effective influence of research on policy • Win the argument about what the problem is before you try to win the argument about the solution • The political context is vital • Balance persistence and opportunism • Focus on application • Always be strategic Source: Taylor, Mathew (2006), ‘Bridging Research and Policy: A UK Perspective’, in J. Court and S. Maxwell (eds), Policy Entrepreneurship for Poverty Reduction, Practical Action Publishing

28. Our strategy as EBPDN • Work as Mavens but identify connectors and salesmen • Find message that sticks • Links, links, links

29. What’s coming up? Tokyo workshop that will take place from 24th- 26th October 2007

30. Thank you!

31. Why communicate? • To disseminate our research results • To provide information • To aid our research process • To engage with specific groups • To facilitate (public) discussion • To lead to change

32. But… more communication ≠ more change

33. Communications Toolkit • Planning Tools • Packaging Tools • Targeting Tools • Monitoring Tools

34. Communications Toolkit • Planning Tools • Stakeholder Analysis • Social Network Analysis • Problem Tree Analysis • Force Field Analysis • National Systems of Innovation (NSI) • How to Write a Communications Strategy • Packaging Tools • Targeting Tools • Monitoring Tools Key skill:to understand

35. What does to understand mean? UNAIDS (1999): • Government • Socio-economic status • Culture • Gender • Spirituality

36. Communications Toolkit • Planning Tools • Packaging Tools • Visioning Scenarios: Show the Future • Tell a Story • Provide a Solution • Use Surprise • Be Persuasive • Targeting Tools • Monitoring Tools Key skill:to inspire

37. What does to inspire mean? Dagron (2001): “We have come to appreciate the true power of face-to-face and voice-to-voice communication. Every meaningful lesson or belief I’ve garnered in life came from someone I valueexplaining the issue to me and involving me in the process of figuring out the solution.” (Preface by Gray-Felder)

38. Communications Toolkit • Planning Tools • Packaging Tools • Targeting Tools • Writing Policy Papers • Building a CoP • Lobbying • Using Email • Websites • Blogging • Media Engagement • Radio • Monitoring Tools Key skill:to inform

39. What does it mean to inform? • HCP (2003): Most young people in Windhoek believe that ‘abstinence’ means ‘to be absent’ • Lambert (2001): Among a group of women in India, sex could only be discussed in whispers • Senior policymaker: “I don’t have time to learn”

40. Communications Toolkit • Planning Tools • Packaging Tools • Targeting Tools • Monitoring Tools • Most Significant Change (MSC) • Outcome Mapping • Researcher Checklist • CFSC Integrated Mode Key skill:to learn

41. What does it mean to learn? What are the indicators of success? • Access • Reception • Response • Understanding • Uptake • Change in policy • Change in practice

42. In conclusion… More communication ≠ more change • But better communication can lead to change. Key skills: • to understand, • to inspire, • to inform, and • to learn.

43. Exercise • Who is your key Audience? • How do they like to learn? • What forms of communication do you use now? • What other forms of communication might be more effective?

44. Be careful, too much information…

45. Thank you!