Report on policy dialogues

BackgroundPolicy dialogue, a collaborative governance mechanism, has raised interest among international stakeholders. They see it as a means to strengthen health systems governance and to participate in the development of health policies that support universal health coverage. In this context, WHO has set up the Universal Health Coverage Partnership. This Partnership aims to support health ministries in establishing inclusive, participatory, and evidence-informed policy dialogue. The general purpose of our study is to understand how and in what contexts the Partnership may support policy dialogue and with what outcomes. More specifically, our study aims to answer two questions: 1) How and in what contexts may the Partnership initiate and nurture policy dialogue? 2) How do collaboration dynamics unfold within policy dialogue supported by the Partnership? MethodsWe conducted a multiple-case study realist evaluation based on Emerson’s integrative framework for collaborative governance to investigate the role of the Partnership in policy dialogue on three policy issues in six sub-Saharan African countries: health financing (Burkina Faso and Democratic Republic of Congo), health planning (Cabo Verde, Niger, and Togo), and aid coordination for health (Liberia). We interviewed 121 key informants, analyzed policy documents, and observed policy dialogue events.ResultsThe Partnership may facilitate the initiation of policy dialogue when: 1) stakeholders feel uncertain about health sector issues and acknowledge their interdependence in responding to such issues, and 2) policy dialogue coincides with their needs and interests. In this context, policy dialogue enables stakeholders to build a shared understanding of issues and of the need for action and encourages collective leadership. However, ministries’ weak ownership of policy dialogue and stakeholders’ lack of confidence in their capacity for joint action hinder their engagement and curb the institutionalization of policy dialogue.ConclusionsDevelopment aid actors wishing to support policy dialogue must do so over the long term so that collaborative governance becomes routine and a culture of collaboration has time to grow. Public administrations should develop collaborative governance mechanisms that are transparent and intelligible in order to facilitate stakeholder engagement.

“We’re not there to protect ourselves, we’re there to talk about workforce planning”: A qualitative study of policy dialogues as a mechanism to inform medical workforce planning

BackgroundThe knowledge exchange literature suggests that policy dialogues are intended to enhance short-, medium- and long-term capacities of individuals, organizations and health systems to use evidence to inform policy-making. Key features of effective dialogues have been suggested, but the linkages between these features and the realization of improved capacities for evidence-informed policy-making among dialogue attendees and the subsequent influence on policy-making activities are not well understood.MethodsWe conducted a qualitative case study of a series of four policy dialogues that were convened in Canada among national, provincial and regional stakeholders on topics pertaining to healthcare financing and funding in 2011. Data sources included videos of participant perspectives captured during or immediately following each event and follow-up key informant interviews among dialogue participants held 4 years later in 2015. Three conceptual frameworks pertaining to (i) policy dialogues and capacities for evidence use, (ii) factors shaping policy-making across the policy cycle and (iii) factors shaping implementation of evidence guided the thematic analysis. We then synthesized the findings across the three frameworks.ResultsThe results suggest the potential benefits of policy dialogues described in the literature were developed among the participants at these dialogues. Informants elaborated on how dialogue features influenced their capacities to use evidence, the ideas, interests and institutions during the agenda-setting and policy formulation stages of policy-making and how implementation was affected by characteristics of policy options, individuals, organizations, the external environment and processes.ConclusionsWe present a conceptual framework that furthers our understanding of the potential influence of policy dialogues on the content and mechanisms of policy development and illustrate pathways of influence on various stages of the policy cycle from agenda setting through formulation and implementation. The framework highlights important factors for consideration in designing and evaluating policy dialogues and in supporting post-dialogue knowledge exchange efforts.

BackgroundTimely knowledge mobilization has become increasingly critical during the COVID-19 pandemic and complicated by the need to establish or maintain lines of communication between researchers and decision-makers virtually. Our recent pan-Canadian research study on the mental health and substance use health (MHSUH) workforce during the pandemic identified key policy barriers impacting this essential workforce. To bridge the evidence–policy gap in addressing these barriers, we held a facilitated virtual policy dialogue. This paper discusses the insights generated at this virtual policy dialogue and highlights how this integrated knowledge mobilization strategy can help drive evidence-based policy in an increasingly digital world.MethodsWe held a 3-hour virtual policy dialogue with 46 stakeholders and policy decision-makers as the final phase in our year-long mixed-methods research study. The event was part of our integrated knowledge mobilization strategy and was designed to generate stakeholder-driven policy implications and priority actions based on our research findings. The data collected from the virtual policy dialogue included transcripts from the small-group breakout rooms and main sessions, reflective field notes and the final report from the external facilitator. Coded data were thematically analysed to inform our understanding of the prioritization of the policy implications and action items.ResultsFacilitated virtual policy dialogues generate rich qualitative insights that guide community-informed knowledge mobilization strategies and promote evidence-informed policy. Our policy dialogue identified actionable policy recommendations with equity as a cross-cutting theme. Adapting policy dialogues to virtual formats and including technology-assisted facilitation can offer advantages for equitable stakeholder participation, allow for deeper analysis and help build consensus regarding evidence-based policy priorities.ConclusionsOur facilitated virtual policy dialogue was a key knowledge mobilization strategy for our research on the capacity of the Canadian MHSUH workforce to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our policy dialogue allowed us to engage a diverse group of MHSUH workforce stakeholders in a meaningful action-oriented way, provided an avenue to get feedback on our research findings, and generated prioritized action items that incorporated the knowledge and experience of these MHSUH workforce stakeholders.

This study was carried out to evaluate the opinions of stakeholders on their roles in health technology assessment (HTA) in Iran and to determine the barriers and facilitators existing in the organizations to help increase their involvement in the HTA program. The study was conducted in two stages, semi-structured interviews, and "policy dialogue" with stakeholders. The data were analyzed through the framework approach. The interviews were held with ten stakeholder representatives from various organizations. In addition, Twenty-one representatives participated in the policy dialogue. Based on the findings, all the stakeholder organizations considered themselves as interest groups in all the stages of the HTA process; however, their tendencies and methods of involvement differed from one another. According to the participants, the most important issue to be considered in the context of HTA was that the structures, stages, and procedures of the HTA process must be made transparent. Stakeholder involvement in the HTA program cannot readily take place. Various stakeholders have different interests, responsibilities, infrastructures, and barriers. If a program does not meet these considerations, its chances of succeeding will substantially decrease. Therefore, to prevent overlooking the needs and expectations of stakeholders from the HTA process, it is essential to create opportunities in which their thoughts and ideas are taken into account.

BackgroundThe prevalence of childhood obesity (CO) and related complications is high and alarmingly increasing in Iran. This study applied a mixed Delphi & Policy Dialogue approach to exploring and prioritizing policy options to control childhood obesity in Iran.MethodsThis study is organized in three Delphi phases followed by a policy dialogue session. This study applied the advocacy collation framework and evidence-informed policy-making approach to enhance the chance of a feasible and acceptable policy package. The first step consisted of interviews with 30 experts and primary stakeholders. Based on their answers and a comprehensive literature review, a list of presumed effective policy options to combat CO in Iran was made. Then, panelists were asked to score each policy option using a five-point Likert scale in seven constructs. To maximize the spread of opinions, panelists were chosen to represent three perspectives: policy-makers at different levels, presidents of various organizations who would implement potential policy options, and academics. Twenty-one stakeholders were invited to discuss the policy options in a policy dialogue section.ResultsWe introduced 27 policy options and asked stakeholders to rank them using seven criteria on a five-level Likert scale. Totally, 41 experts participated in round 2 (66.2% response rate), and 33 experts took part in round 3 (72% response rate). Participants believed that healthy schools, creating healthy environments in kindergartens and other child care centers, subsidizing healthy foods, educating healthy lifestyles in mass media, and increasing access to physical activity facilities are the most effective and feasible policies in controlling CO. After the policy dialogue, the healthy school remained the most prioritized policy. a policy package to combat CO in Iran was designed with the participation of all stakeholders.ConclusionThe advocacy collation framework and the evidence-informed policy-making approach were used to draft a policy package to combat CO, increasing the acceptability and feasibility of the developed policy package.Graphical

Two large-scale schemes in Kenya, financed and managed by a combination of public and private entities, have attracted considerable attention. The Mumias Sugar Company and the Kenya Tea Development Authority process and market the output of a total of nearly 200,000 small farmers. Both have been in continuous operation for more than fifteen years and during that period have considerably expanded the number of smallholders they serve. Because of their apparent success, Mumias and KTDA have often been cited as ‘models’ for smallholder agricultural schemes in Africa. As governments, particularly those in Africa, re-examine the role of the public and private sectors in agricultural marketing as part of their ‘policy dialogue’ with aid donors, the lessons of KTDA and Mumias are becoming increasingly relevant.KeywordsSugar CaneSmall FarmerFood PurchaseKenyan GovernmentPositive Income EffectThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

ASEAN+3 finance ministers have been pursuing regional financial cooperation since the outbreak of the Asian financial crisis of 1997–98. Reflecting lessons learned from the crisis, the aim has been to strengthen and integrate national financial markets and to establish regional self-help mechanisms for crisis prevention and management. Their efforts have focused on regional economic surveillance (i.e., the Economic Review and Policy Dialogue (ERPD)), a regional short-term liquidity arrangement (i.e., the Chiang Mai Initiative (CMI)), and local currency bond market development (i.e., the Asian Bond Markets Initiative (ABMI)). Asian central bank governors, participating in the Executives’ Meeting of East AsiaPacific Central Banks (EMEAP), have also made efforts to improve their policy dialog and promote local currency bond markets, e.g., through Asian Bond Funds (ABF). While there has been substantial progress in all these areas, little progress has been made in monetary and exchange-rate policy coordination. Given the high and rising degree of economic interdependence through market-driven trade, investment, and financial activity, East Asian economies have found it increasingly important to maintain relatively stable intraregional exchange rates while allowing currency flexibility against the US dollar. A first, modest step in this direction could be the creation of an Asian Currency Unit (ACU), which could begin simply as an appropriately weighted index of East Asian currencies for the purpose of monitoring the collective movement of regional currencies against key external currencies — such as the US dollar and the euro — and each component

This perspective presents empirical data to demonstrate the existence of different expert views on scientific policy advice on complex environmental health issues. These views are partly research‐field specific. According to scientific literature, experts differ in the way they provide policy advice on complex issues such as electromagnetic fields (EMF), particulate matter (PM), and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Where some experts feel their primary task is to carry out fundamental research, others actively engage in the policy dialogue. Although the literature provides ideas about expert roles, there exists little empirical underpinning. Our aim is to gather empirical evidence about expert roles. The results of an international study indicated that experts on EMF, PM, and AMR differ in the way they view their role in the policy dialogue. For example, experts differed in their views on the need for precaution and their motivation to initiate stakeholder cooperation. Besides, most experts thought that their views on the risks of EMF/PM/AMR did not differ from those of colleagues. Great dissensus was found in views on the best ways of managing risks and uncertainties. In conclusion, the theoretical ideal–typical roles from the literature can be identified to a certain extent.

One in every four Sri Lankans will be an older person by the year 2041 with an increasing share of the very old elderly. The share of the population aged 65 years and above is projected to rise leading to an increase of the old age dependency ratio with female preponderance. With this demographic transition, and epidemiological profile dominated by noncommunicable disease, the health system warrants major changes to meet new demands. Policy dialogue on healthy aging was initiated with the aim of providing impactful support to build better and resilient primary healthcare-centered health system. The dialogue contributed to improve evidence-based decision-making, which entails creating the platforms supporting pathways between key stakeholders. Key issues to explore through policy dialogue were framed from the available evidence and desk reviews, that included examining policy-related literature and considered the ongoing primary healthcare reorientation in Sri Lanka. The methodology adopted for dialogue on healthy aging enriched by a comprehensive context review led to focused technical dialogues that aided the construction of a conceptual model to be considered within the current overall health structure being reoriented.

EU Foreign Policy Elites and Fundamental Norms - Implications for Governance

The policy dialogue brought together local and international experts with South African policy makers, to discuss the design of a Health Services Package (HSP) within the South African context. It was an opportunity to utilise international experiences to gain lessons applicable to the HSP in the context of South Africa’s health insurance reform. Emerging issues and themes have relevance to the National Health Insurance ministerial committee workstream 2, one of six NHI workstreams established The workstreams comprise key NDoH policymakers and relevant experts. The NHI workstream 2 is primarily dedicated to considering the development of the HSP under NHI. This document reports the discussions and outcomes of the policy dialogue.

Chapter 7 moves beyond the national level to look at how cannabis policy has been negotiated, resisted and/or subverted at subnational level. The purpose of this chapter is to examine the extent of convergence and divergence between national and subnational levels of governance. Building on the analysis presented in earlier chapters, it first explores how changes instigated at a national level unfolded at subnational level within England & Wales and the Netherlands. Then, the chapter discusses the role of the subnational level in policy negotiation, resistance and development in Japan and the United States.

Australian Journal of Public AdministrationVolume 46, Issue 4 p. 388-389 A NOTE ON DAVIS AND WELLER'S “NEGOTIATED POLICY OR METANONSENSE?” Murray Frazer, Murray FrazerSearch for more papers by this author Murray Frazer, Murray FrazerSearch for more papers by this author First published: December 1987 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8500.1987.tb02582.xRead the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume46, Issue4December 1987Pages 388-389 RelatedInformation

At the end of 2021, Russia mobilised over a hundred thousand soldiers along its border with Ukraine constituting a permanent threat to Ukraine and a concern for the West and the whole world. On February 24, 2022, Russia initiated a military intervention in Ukraine. The Kremlin has decided to reconstitute its border lines of the former USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) and its spheres of influence in Central and Eastern Europe.
 After the end of the Cold War, Russia, a nuclear power, has constantly expressed its desire to have a special status in relation to the North Atlantic Alliance different from that of former communist countries, members of the Warsaw Pact. The NATO-Russia Council (NRC) is the structure in which Russia had that special and unique relationship with NATO. NRC was established in 2002 to resolve any inconsistencies in the NATO-Russia relations, to facilitate a more flexible dialogue, and understanding between the parties and to open new areas of collaboration. However, it could not change the perceptions created during the Cold War, and most importantly, it could not resolve Russia's place and role in Europe's security issues.
 From February 24, 2022, the NRC lost its credibility, the policy of dialogue was no longer relevant and NATO switched to the policy of deterrence and collective defense of the entire Eastern flank of NATO.
 The study presents the evolution of relations between NATO and Russia, the phases they went through in the last twenty years since the creation of the NRC and explained the failure of NATO-Russia cooperation in NRC.