Workshop: Communication Environmental Research to Policymakers
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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 Sa-
laam 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 en-
vironmental 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 (Uni-
versity of Dar es Salaam) and the Population Reference Bureau are orga-
nizing an intensive workshop that would help bridge the gap between re-
searchers and policymakers. Sessions will help participants understand
how to better communicate the population and health components of envi-
ronmental 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, partici-
pants 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 working-
group sessions, emphasizing a hands-on, participatory approach. Ses-
sions 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 or-
ganizations 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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