Capacity Building for Linkages of Research Policy and Practice
There are two angles to the research-policy linkage: the demand for research and the supply of research. Effective and functional linkages between research, policy and practice hinge upon the synergy between research supply and research demand. Any asymmetry between both sides hampers the mutual interest and mutual confidence that are so crucial for bridge building between policymakers, practitioners and researchers. The major drawback to the bridge building is that there is low and inchoate demand for research by government policymaking organs, private sector and civil society. There is low government capacity to articulate research demand, access and use existing research findings and policy recommendations. Similarly, the private sector and civil society is weakened by poor capacity to pool research and use them accordingly. On the other hand, researchers do not have the requisite communication skills and the right process orientation to transmit their research findings and policy recommendations. APRNet will enhance the capacities of stakeholders on both divides – research supply and research demand. This will be done using targeted trainings and skills upgrading techniques.
Specific programmes and projects
• Training of government policymakers and technocrats in accessing and using research for policymaking and programme design
• Training of researchers and research managers in communicating research for policy influence
• Training of civil society (media, farmers’ organisations, agribusiness associations, value chain operators) in the use of research for public discourse and advocacy
• Training of researchers and technocrats in policy analysis methodologies and tools