1. Using writeshops to produce policy briefs Paul Mundy Independent specialist in development communication paul@mamud.com paul@mamud.com www.mamud.comwww.mamud.com, www.writeshops.orgwww.writeshops.org

7. Structure of a policy brief Content The masthead (series title) Authors Acknowledge- ments Publication details References Boxes and sidebars Cases Tables Graphics Photographs Title Summary Recommendations Introduction The body (main text) Policy implications Conclusions Plus…And…

8. Elements of an NCCR brief Title  Max 80 chars Policy message  Max 640 chars Lead  Max 700 chars Main text  Max 7000 chars  At least 6 subtitles  Final section = Policy implications Cases  Max 1630 chars  3 different countries Boxes  Ca 440 chars Table or graphic  Max 1 Photos  Max 3  With captions Further reading  2-3 key refs only Authors  Name, position, institution, email This issue  Academic adviser, policy adviser, editors, design

9. Why policy briefs? Demand: Government wants information on which to base policy Supply: Organizations and projects have experience and knowledge  Want to influence policy Policymakers require specific types of information  Short, easily to digest  Non-technical language  Focus on policy implications

10. Problems with producing policy briefs Do not know policymakers’ needs Do not know what a policy brief is Do not how to write in appropriate style Hard to get started Difficult to identify evidence and recommendations Difficult to condense ideas and info to 2 pages

11. SNV guidelines for case writing

12. Paul Mundy www.mamud.com How to produce policy briefs through writeshops Writeshops to produce policy briefs Mini-writeshop as part of larger event

13. Writeshops to produce policy briefs Within an organization Multiple organizations Training writeshops  ODI: India, S Africa, Vietnam  NCCR North-South: Switzerland  SNV: Zimbabwe

14. Training writeshops to produce policy briefs Authors complete draft Submit to editor Editor works with author to finalize draft Submit for approval Publish Training presentations Group discussions and exercises Individual work writing & editing One-on-one writing clinics Presentations by the authors Identify authors (eg within your organization) Invite authors to identify topic Provide authors with a structure and guidelines Get authors to prepare draft BeforeWriteshopAfter

15. Mini-writeshop as part of larger event Policy brief Writeshop to produce bookConference or workshop UN-HABITAT/IIRR Participatory enumerations FAO/INMASP/IIRR Farmer field schools Policy brief

16. Producing policy briefs as a result of a writeshop or conference Form small group during later part of event Define structure of policy brief Identify elements Allocate each element to small group or individual Write drafts Present drafts Edit Layout

17. Training materials on policy briefs Paul Mundy: training materials  http://tinyurl.com/q2garlo http://tinyurl.com/q2garlo Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations: E-learning Centre  www.fao.org/elearning/#/elc/en/course/FCOM www.fao.org/elearning/#/elc/en/course/FCOM Overseas Development Institute: Policy briefs as a communication tool for development research  www.odi.org/publications/425-policy-briefs- communication-tool-development-research www.odi.org/publications/425-policy-briefs- communication-tool-development-research