Workshop on Communication Environmental Research to Policymakers, 10/01

Exploring Population, Health and Environment Linkages

15 - 26 October 2001 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Application deadline for sponsorship: 7 September 2001

Sponsored by Institute of Resource Assessment, University of Dar es Salaam and MEASURE Communication, Population Reference Bureau, USAID.

Many scientific groups and environmental scientists agree that aspects of a population's growth, composition, and distribution can lead to environmental changes that affect human and ecosystem health. Audiences influential in setting national policy agendas, such as the media and government officials, often inadequately reflect those linkages in their reports and policy decisions. Yet every year valuable human and financial resources are spent to produce environment research results that fail to reach policymakers and, consequently, are not used to shape policies and programs. The Institute of Resource Assessment (University of Dar es Salaam) and the Population Reference Bureau are organizing an intensive workshop that would help bridge the gap between researchers and policymakers. Sessions will help participants understand how to better communicate the population and health components of environmental research, identify the policy and program implications of survey data and research studies, understand how research can influence the policy process, and communicate research findings in simple and compelling formats.

Workshop objective

The objective of the workshop is to learn how to maximize policymakers' and planners' use of research results that illustrate the interaction of population, health and environment variables. Specifically, participants will learn how to: * Address problems policymakers face with integrated research * Understand how research findings enter and influence the policy proc ess * Develop a policy-level communication strategy and action plan * Design a media strategy, write press releases and give interviews to
journalists * Prepare and present short policy documents such as policy memoranda
and fact sheets * Create and deliver oral policy presentations using a computer-based
graphics program

At the end of the workshop, and over one year, participants: * Develop an action plan to use the workshop knowledge and skills over
one year * Communicate and seek advice on implementing the action plan through
regular correspondence with fellow participants and workshop organiz ers * Report on progress on their action plan

Who should attend?

The workshop is designed for researchers, program managers, and others responsible for formulating and implementing environmental programs. Participants should have a strong background in research and data analysis as well as experience with computers.

We require that each participant bring environmental survey data or their own research results that can be used to address a policy problem relevant to their work. Ideally, participants should address issues relevant to their own programs. To make effective use of the training, participants should have access to computer facilities at their home institutions.

Workshop sessions The workshop consists of a combination of plenary and small workinggroup sessions, emphasizing a hands-on, participatory approach. Sessions cover six areas, each with a corresponding output: * Exploring population-health-environment integration * Exploring the research-to-policy gap and designing policy-relevant
research * Developing strategies for the communication of research results * Communicating research results through the media * Preparing policy documents and briefings * Making oral presentations using computer graphics

Application procedure and deadlines

Persons who wish to take part in the workshop should send the completed application forms and other application documents as soon as possible to:

The Director Institute of Resource Assessment (IRA) University of Dar es Salaam, P.O. 35097 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Attn: Prof. Ndalahwa F. Madulu Tel: +255-22-2410-144 mailto:Ira@ira.udsm.ac.tz or mailto:madulu@hotmail.com

Application materials should arrive at IRA no later than 7 September 2001

Prospective applicants are expected to seek funding from their home organizations or from national or international agencies. Applicants who are seeking funding should submit their application forms to meet the deadline. IRA and PRB can provide tuition waivers, housing, subsistence and airfare to a limited number of candidates. Apart from these limited sources, applicants are expected to seek their own financial support.

Contact information: Prof. N.F. Madulu Institute of Resource Assessment University of Dar es Salaam Tanzania Tel: +255-22-2410-144 Fax: +255-22-2410-393 mailto:madulu@hotmail.com

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