policy advoccay and engagement training narrative report - cotonou, benin - (december 2010)

8/3/2019 Policy Advoccay and Engagement Training Narrative Report - Cotonou, Benin - (December 2010)

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Workshop Report

POLICY ENGAGEMENT AND ADVOCACYTRAINING WORKSHOP FOR CIVILSOCIETY

ACTORS IN BENIN

DATE D b


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DATE D b

TABLE OF CONTENTS

List of acronyms ......................................................................................................................................3

1.0 Introduction ..4

1.1 Objectives...............................................4

1.2 Methodology ..........................................................4

1.3 Training Content......................................5

2.0 Opening Session.5

2.1 Workshop Activities5

2.2 Conclusion and Recommendation.12

Annex 1: ProgrammeAgenda15

Annex 2: List of Participants..16


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LIST OF ACCRONYMS

APF Advocacy Planning Framework

CBOs Community Based Organizations

CSOs Civil Society Organizations

LGI Local Government and Public Service Reform Initiative

NGOs Non-Governmental Organizations

OSI Open Society Institute

PA Policy Advocacy

OSIWA Open Society Initiative for West Africa

TOT Training of Trainers

WACSI West Africa Civil Society Institute


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1.0 Introduction

The West African Civil Society Institute in partnership with the Open Society Initiative for WestAfrica (OSIWA) organized a four days training workshop (13-16 December, 2010) on policy

Engagement and Advocacy in Benin Republic for the first time. The workshop attracted eighteen

participants, 1 observer, 8 females and 10 males from civil society organizations across Benin.

The overall objective was to enhance the ability and capacity of Benin civil society actors to engage

in constructive policy discourses, interact with policy makers and influence policy formulation

processes. The workshop also aimed at increasing the grantees practical skills and techniques in

policy analysis, influencing and formulation, as well as in writing effective policy briefs and conduct

policy research and studies, strengthen the capacities of to develop effective strategies and

communication tools for Policy Advocacy.

1.1 Objectives of the workshop

The objectives of the workshop were to:

To enhance CSOs ability to write and use evidence based and targeted policy papers;

To enhance CSOs knowledge of public policy networks and processes; To enhance CSOs ability to write and use evidence-based and targeted policy papers; To build insight into the process of planning an effective policy advocacy campaign; To increase CSOs understanding of the policy environment in West Africa (specifically in Benin)

and potential entry points; and

To provide the platform for civil society actors across the region (specifically in Benin) to formadvocacy networks and build alliances.

1.2 The workshop Methodology

The workshop was delivered by using:

A learn-centered/ interactive method;


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2.0 Opening Session

The workshop commenced with a welcome message by the Policy Advocacy officer of WACSI, Ms.

Omolara Balogun, who appreciated the participants for making out time to attend the workshopMs. Omolara began with a brief presentation on WACS by saying that WACSI was established by

the Open Society Initiatives for West Africa (OSIWA) in 2005 but it became fully operational in May

2007 with the major aim to reinforce the capacities of civil society in the region and to bridge the

institutional and operational gaps within civil society.

The establishment ofWACSI was preceded by a comprehensive regional need assessment

conducted in 2007.She concluded by saying that after the four days training, she hopes to have more information about

WACSI to add on this short presentation and introduced the two trainers to the participants.

Trainers Opening Remarks

The trainers began by introducing themselves and giving brief information about themselves in

their involvement in this particular project.The trainers also said the four days training will not be

a lecture course but the opportunity to learn from the experiences of the participants, to create a

practical platform for both trainers and participants to explore, discuss and share knowledge, good

practices and strategies to construct effective policy advocacy framework and enhance individual

knowledge in policy advocacy, engagement, formulation and analysis.

2.1 Workshop Activities

Day one: The first activity of the workshop began by giving an opportunity to the participants to

introduce themselves before giving a drawing exercise where they were asked to draw objects

about themselves. Participants were tasked to interact between and among them to identify the

meaning of each object of them has drawn individually.


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Participants were divided into groups of four, to define their expectations and concerns for the

workshop as well as their individual objectives. This exercise highlighted participants priorities in

understanding policy issues and how to engage, influence and strategize round those issues withinBenin political and policy context. Conducting effective policy advocacy and best strategy in

engaging policy makers were three leading issues identified by the participants during the

expectation and concern session. Specifically, participants highlighted the following concerns

and expectations. as captured in the table below:

Table 1: Expectations and Concerns of participants

Groups name Expectations

Oranges To know the different form of advocacy and control the tools of developing aAPF.

To learn how to structure and develop a good advocacy argument. To learn the difference between lobbying and advocacy.

Bleu To know the strategies and the tools for policy advocacy elaboration.

Exchange and acquire the strategies of building alliances. To learn how to help community leaders to better influence the process of

developing public policy

Verts To understand the process of advocacy. To enhance our kills in writing effective public papers. Identify the method and the process for a meaningful analysis of the context

Roses To identify the challenges of public policy advocacy. Learn how to structure and implement advocacy campaign within the Benin

framework.

To learn how to write advocacy message


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Methodology Will be practical and learning centered Learning by doing approach Participants experiences in policy advocacy/processes Paring, group works and plenary discussions Trainees were asked to share personal experiences and their level of

awareness regarding the training themes

In the next activity, the participants were asked to highlight the characteristics of an effective

advocacy paper. The exercise was to determine the participants level of understanding in advocacy.

Having being divided into four groups, participants came out with a number of characteristics of an

effective advocacy paper:

Table 3

CHARACTERISTICS OF AN EFFECTIVE ADVOCAVY PAPER

Groups name

Oranges 1. Present a problem within its context2. It should have a target audience.3. Clear presentation of the issue to be addressed4. Objectives of the advocacy (SMART)5. It should be brief, concise, coherent comprehensible and convincing

Bleu 1. Present an argument that urgent problem exists.2. An objectives and results3. Specifies a target4. Strategies to adopt and mechanisms for implementation5. Recommendations and resources.

Verts 1 Problem statement


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purposive course of action, actors population, combination of basic decisions, commitments and actions, political decisions to achieve societal goals, set of interrelated decisions taken by a political actor or group of actors, series of governmental activities designed to remedy some public problem and subject to change on the basic of newThe last activity for the first day of the training was as a challenge for the participants to prove their

communication and networking skills through the use of the network threads and role play; and tooutline in groups the purpose of a policy paper.

Day two

The second day began with a recap of previous days activities and lesson Policy option. Facilitators

distributed pieces of papers to the participants and asked themto write words on each piece that

they remember from the previous days lesson.

In groups the participants acted out and described without mentioning the words to the group foridentification. Some of those words were: Convincing, coherent, Policy dialogue, Recommendations,

Engagement, Target-audience, Comprehensible, Actors etc.

The second day commenced with the activity to identify essential element of a policy brief and

policy study. Following a heated debate on the issues the participants with the assistance of the

trainers were able to make a clarification between the two documents.

Table 4:Structural Elements of Policy Study/Brief

Policy Study Policy Brief

1 Title 1 Title


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Table 5:Writing a Policy Paper: Contents of the Elements

Elements ContentsIntroduction Purposes:

Present the context and nature of the PA. Provide the basic research has led. Understand the approach of the author and the main solutions raised

in the argument.

Give a clear idea of the direction, orientation and different ideas in thedocument body

Content:

Context of (Policy Advocacy Statement of Intent methodology and limitation of the study Road map document

Others Advices:

clear, precise, concise show the approach and methodology to be followed

Problem

Description

Purpose:

Identify, define and explain the problem to examine Convince the reader that the central issue requires action

Content:

Causing the problem (historical-present) Great lines and environment problem offer an opportunity for discussion of options Show the existence of the problem (development of the problem)


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Other Advices:

Focusing on the argument Mentioned weaknesses of the chosen option Highlight the decisions taken Establishing a coherent link between conclusion and

recommendations/Evaluation alternatives

Conclusion/Reco

mmendation

Purpose:

Fulfill the role policy paper as a decision making tool, leaves aresponsible and lasting impression.

Content Synthesis of major finding; Set of policy recommendations and; Concluding remarks- warning and other measures.

Other Advices

Highlight potential constraints related to the action of decision maker.

The analysis was followed by an interactive discussion on what an ideal policy cycle should be.

Participants discussed how to plan and effectively engage a policy cycle from the beginning to

achieve the set policy goals or policy objectives. The scope of the policy cycle was broadened by the

trainers.. The activity was used summarize the relevance of a policy cycle:

identifying the past, present and possible future What are the past and present problems What are the possible causes of the problems Who are those (people) affected by the problem


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points. In the end, a consensus was reached and a clear distinction was made in relation to what

constitute a policy paper and an academic paper. For instance, an academic paper was said to be

technical and targeted at addressing or exposing and or exploring a societal problem with a clearcut Problem of the Statement while the policy brief is writing in a simple text to of about a

maximum of 10 pages with the purpose to serve as a call to action for the targeted group of people

usually politician and or ordinary people.

This was followed by an in-depth analysis of the sample a policy study and policy brief.

Participants-were re-grouped into four, each group was presented with a sample of a policy brief

and a policy study and tasked to analyze the papers. The titles of the sample papers were:

Policy Study- Nakrosis, Vitalis (2008) reforming performance management in Lithuania: towards

results-based government.

Policy Brief- West African Network for Peace building/WANEP (2010), tackling the crisis in Cote

DIvoire prioritizing the priorities.

Day Four

On the last day of the training, activities commenced with an overview on the lessons and issuestreated in the last three days. The trainers reiterated the relevance of the training specifically as it

provides practical opportunity for participants to be exposed to the real technical components and

details regarding the development of an advocacy documents that will be useful to conduct effective

advocacy campaign or implement an advocacy strategy.

In the last activity training, participants learnt how to develop an advocacy plan using the Advocacy

Planning Framework (APF).

See in the table below the for the outcome of the different groups in designing an Advocacy

Planning Framework (APF)

Table 6:


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Format/Packaging:

It could be either a Study ora brief depending on theaudience profile.

Mode of Delivery:

Press releases- media Open forum.Thinking of responses:

Action points Counter to such responses

prepared

Way forward2.2 Conclusion and RecommendationFeedback of the participant

Part One: The workshop in one WORD

The session (recommendation session) was facilitated by WACSI represented by the policy

Advocacy officer. The objective of the session is to obtain immediate feedback from participants

highlighting the relevance of the training to their respective organizational mandates and individual

development; how they intend to use the skills, knowledge and capacity acquired in the course of

the training, as well as give insightful recommendations that will enhance future delivery and

packaging of the training. The session also required participants to comment briefly on the areasthat met their expectations and point out others which require improvement.

The first point of call was for the entire 4-days experience to be qualified in one word by each

participant Some of the words/responses gathered in this session include:


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Part Two: Immediate Impact

The second part required participants to state briefly what, how, and when, they would be drawing

from the newly acquired skills. The objective of this section part is to have a quick understanding ofwhich of the training component (contents/session) is most relevant to the group and how soon

they will put it into practical usage. Some of the responses are captured below:

To technically restitute some the way of approaching advocacy issues To conduct a step training to fellow colleague on the immediate employment of APF and its

Implementation

To review the current planning of all advocacy intervention especially on ongoing projectand possibly in past and future engagements

Embark on technical correction of existing documents of about 4 organisations includingpolicy briefs and where possible policy studies

Immediate application of the different concept learnt in the course of the training (both verbally

and practically)

Part Three

The third part requires participants to share with the larger group of what went/worked well

during the four days, and what should be improved upon in organizing future training for similar

group.

Training materials: the following statement were capture on the sub-themes below

Very useful reference document Comprehensive and not over burden Very good and practical A good guide and a point of reference

*In this part, the participants requested that the entire contents of the manual are translated into

French for better understanding.


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Conclusion

The workshop was closed by the Executive Director of WACSI, Mrs. Nana Asantewa Afadzinu. In

her speech, she expressed her satisfaction for the realization of this workshop despite somechallenges that were confronted. She thanked the partners - LGI specifically for funding the

workshop even at the last minutes and OSIWA for its usual support since the commencement of the

project in 2008. She appreciated the time, commitment and dedication demonstrated by the two

trainers (Ms. Lucky and Mr. Constant) for making themselves available for facilitate the training

despite the back and forth and the final short notice, and finally the participants for the interest and

seriousness, commitment targeting learning effectively in the course of the 4day training. She

implored participants to make conscious effort at putting the acquired skills into practical use intheir day-to-day activities. Ms. Nana finally close the training by stating that WACSI will ensure that

other training of the institute is organized for Benin CSOs to further enhance their capacity in other

areas where most CSOs are technically challenged in the course of the year.


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PROGRAMMME DE LATELIERPLAIDOYER ET ENGAGEMENT DE POLITIQUE COTONOU, BENIN

DATE: 13-16 DECEMBRE, 2010LIEU: BENIN ATLANTIC BEACH HOTEL, COTONOU, BENIN

(1ere journe)LUNDI 13 DECEMBRE, 2010

14 - 16 DEEMBRE, 2010.

Date HEURE ACTIVITE PERSONES RESOURCES

13

DECEMBRE

8.00- 8.30

ENREGISTREMENT DES PARTICIPANTS

8:30-9:00 ALLOCUTION DE BIENVENUE/INTRODUCTION DES PARTICIPANTS

(Photo de famille)

Executive Director, WACSIP A officer WACSI

09:00-11:00 PREMIERE SESSIONAntoinette Lucky MboutConstant Gnacadja

11:00-11:30 PAUSE CAFE 1

11.3013.30 DEUXIEME SESSIONAntoinette Lucky MbrouConstant Gnacadja

13:30-14:30 PAUSE DEJEUNER

14:30-16:30 TROIXIEME SESSIONAntoinette Lucky MbrouConstant Gnacadja

16.3017.00 PAUSE CAF 2


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LISTE DES PARTICIPANTS A LATELIER DE FORMATION DU BENIN

No Nom et Prnoms Organisation/

Institution

Position Adresse Email Numro de

Tlphone

1 MAMADOU OMAR Institut Kilimandjaro Coordinateur [email protected]

[email protected]

+229 95 40 62 79

+229 97 58 14 14

2 GBEDO BOCO MARIE NOELLE RIFONGA Conseillre a lEducation [email protected] +229 97 21 69 51

+229 90 03 57 60

3 GHIDI SAY EDMEE SUO-ONG Directrice Excutive

Adjointe

[email protected]

[email protected]

+229 95 05 90 87

+299 97 57 43 00

4 IDOHOU LEONTINE RIFONGA Prsidente [email protected] +229 95 06 66 08

+229 21 04 24 71

5 GLELE AHANHANZO MARYSE WANEP. Benin Membre [email protected] +229 97 88 59 74

+229 21 30 99 39

6 HANKAN PARFAIT ONG. Espace et vie Directeur Excutif [email protected] +229 97 06 94 82

+229 95 28 72 03

7 BAWA YAYA BIO SOS. Civisme Benin Secrtaire gnral [email protected] +229 95 44 13 90

8 DANIEL ATAIGBA CSA. Benin 2eme Secrtaire Adjoint [email protected] +229 95 58 54 02

9 DADJO MATHILDA SNV.Benin Conseillre Genre [email protected] +229 95 96 29 65

10 KPESSOU C. DIEUDONNE ARGA Charge de Programme [email protected] +229 96 51 36 79

11 GBEDJI OKE H.CLEOPHAS FONAC Membre du Conseil

dAdministration

[email protected]

[email protected]

+229 21 31 20 02

+229 97 09 73 65

12 KPAKPO DAVID MODESTE G.CASB Coordinateur [email protected] +229 96 25 97 70

13 AHOUANSOU PIERRE CLAVER AJE ONG Prsident [email protected] +229 95 05 90 04

+229 96 23 25 06

14 ADANVOESSI VINCENT EIP- Benin Coordinateur [email protected] +229 97 13 64 61

+229 95 98 42 08

15 DADJO FAKAME ANTOINETTE Ligue Life Prsidente [email protected] +229 90 90 67 89

16 FATOUMATA ZOSSOU Hunger Free World Reprsentante [email protected] +229 95 45 88 6817 GUEDEGBE INNOCENTIA RIFONGA.Benin TGA [email protected] +229 97 07 63 77

18 AKOUETE GASTON WANEP Stagiaire [email protected] +229 95 88 40 55

19 ANTOINETTE L. MBROU CYJR Formatrice [email protected] +228 0 74 69 79

20 CONSTANT GNACADJA WANEP Formateur [email protected]

[email protected]

+229 95 06 56 15

+229 97 38 85 59

21 OMOLARA BALOGUN WACSI Policy/officer [email protected] +233 243 746 790

22 ASSIATOU DIALLO WACSI Stagiaire [email protected]

[email protected]

+233 242 661 480

+224 64 77 36 10
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policy advoccay and engagement training narrative report - cotonou, benin - (december 2010)

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