Dissemination, sensitization and advocacy Summary of Activities of the Technical Working Group Dr S.B. Likwelile 16 September 2002

Background The DSA TWG is one of four TWGs under the Poverty Monitoring System It is responsible for ensuring that the findings of the Poverty Monitoring System reach stakeholders in a user-friendly manner

Objectives of the DSA TWG Establish an information base on poverty status and trends Empower stakeholders to influence decisions and take appropriate measures Create awareness on information on poverty for all stakeholders Take into account the needs and circumstances of information users Develop user-friendly ways of accessing data and information

Who are the information users? Policy makers such as Ministers, MPs, Councilors Civil servants in Central Government Local Government officials Civil Society Organizations such as NGOs, trade unions, private sector Research and academic institutions External development partners The media The general public

Membership of the DSA TWG Members are from institutions with varied backgrounds and experience in dissemination, sensitization and advocacy Chaired by the Director for Poverty Eradication, VPO Representatives from VPO, PO-RALG, PO-PP, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Community Development, Women’s Affairs and Children, NBS, TASAF, CSOs, development partners and the private sector. The group has experts on gender and the environment

Terms of Reference Developing a work plan and budget for dissemination, sensitization and advocacy Liaising with other TWGs and other relevant institutions Overseeing implementation of the DSA work plan Working out best modalities to package information from the poverty monitoring system Reviewing and adjusting the work plan as required Providing inputs to the preparation of PRS progress reports Identifying sources of funding for DSA activities

Activities to date The DSA TWG started meeting early 2001 A work plan and framework for action were developed and a budget agreed Specific activities included: –Guide to understanding the Poverty Monitoring System –HBS dissemination –Poverty Policy Week

Guide to understanding the Poverty Monitoring System Poverty Monitoring Master Plan was published in December 2000 Aim was to provide a simpler version of the Master Plan, understandable for a wide range of stakeholders User guide is based on frequently asked questions about the Poverty Monitoring System TWG developed and tested the booklet 20,000 copies were published in Kiswahili and English They will be distributed across Tanzania

2000/01 Household Budget Survey With NBS, a dissemination strategy for the HBS was developed Target audiences were agreed upon Mechanisms for reaching stakeholders were worked out Media was briefed and press releases given out Press conference to be held tomorrow 4,000 copies of the report to be distributed Routine Data Systems TWG will conduct sessions on the HBS during zonal workshops

Poverty Policy Week This week! A key event undertaken by the DSA TWG, in close collaboration with the other TWGs Effort to bring together policy makers and key stakeholders to receive and discuss new information generated through the poverty monitoring system The intention is that this will be an annual event

Upcoming activities Website: a poverty monitoring website is being developed to cater to the needs of the TWGs Database: a database of stakeholders will be developed to facilitate networking Resource centre: PED is conducting a needs assessment for a resource centre on poverty related information International Poverty Day: to be held on 17 th October

Thank you