How to write a Policy Brief as a Intro level student What is a policy brief? – A short document that presents the findings and recommendations to a non-specialized audience – A medium for exploring an issue and distilling lessons learned from empirical evidence – A vehicle for providing policy advice. A policy brief is: – A stand-alone document – Focused on a single topic – No more than 2-4 pages (1,500 words) What it is NOT Not an essay Not an artistic piece Outline before you write PLANNING YOUR POLICY BRIEF POLICY BRIEF TEMPLATES KNOW WHEN TO STOP!!!! Outline- Intended Audience How do I ensure the right person/s get the message? • Who do I need to direct it to? • Are they open to the message? • What interests and/or concern have they raised? How can I persuade the reader to act • Describe the urgency of the situation • Speak in terms of benefits and advantages • Use data to illustrate the gravity of a problem. Usual Parts of a Policy Brief (UNC) Title: A good title quickly communicates the contents of the brief in a memorable way. Usual Parts of a Policy Brief Executive Summary: This section is often one to two paragraphs long; it includes an overview of the problem and the proposed policy action. The Executive Statement Short statement Offers an immediate view of the content Provide an overview for busy readers Entice readers to go further Appear on cover or top of first page Be written last Usual Parts of a Policy Brief Context or Scope of Problem: This section communicates the importance of the problem and aims to convince the reader of the necessity of policy action. Introduction Answers the question why Explains the significance/urgency of the issue Describes objective (s) Gives overview of findings, conclusions Creates curiosity for rest of brief Approaches & result Provides summary of the facts Describes issue and context Describes research and analysis Highlight benefits, opportunities Conclusion • Offer concrete suggestions using strong assertions • Ensure ideas are balanced and defensible Usual Parts of a Policy Brief Policy Alternatives: This section discusses - the current policy approach - explains proposed options. It should be fair and accurate while convincing the reader why the policy action proposed in the brief is the most desirable. Usual Parts of a Policy Brief Policy Recommendations: This section contains the most detailed explanation of the concrete steps to be taken to address the policy issue. Implication & recommendation Implications are what could happen Recommendations are what should happen Both flow from conclusions Both must be supported by evidence Recommendation: a call to action • Describe clearly what should happen next • State as precise steps • Ensure they are relevant, credible and feasible Usual Parts of a Policy Brief Appendices: If some readers might need further support in order to accept your argument but doing so in the brief itself might derail the conversation for other readers, you might include the extra information in an appendix. Usual Parts of a Policy Brief Consulted or Recommended Sources: These should be reliable sources that you have used throughout your brief to guide your policy discussion and recommendations. Data, Visualizations, Photos • Not necessary. Rubric Committee Briefing Paper (1) Prepare a committee 3–4-page briefing paper for a committee meeting on a topic covered in the course that will be assigned to you. The policy brief is a succinct and focused paper to help your audience make informed decisions. You will be assessed based on your understanding of the issue and the recommendations made. Criteria Points Possible Student demonstrates superior understanding of the issues. Makes clear background explanation and statement of the issue/problem. Clearly describes the problem including its scope and magnitude. 1-10 (10 being the highest) Student offers a thoughtful, logical, well-articulated analysis of the problem using debates, concepts, terminology, and issues covered in the course. 1-10 (10 being the highest) Presentation and analysis of at least two of the policy’s strengths and two of the policy’s weaknesses. 1-10 (10 being the highest) ________ ________ ________ Student identifies at least three strong, feasible, specific, actionable recommendations for strengthening the policy that policymakers could adopt. These 1-10 (10 being the highest) recommendations are clearly stated and appropriate to audience and logically flow from your analysis. Student makes a strong conclusion which leaves the reader with a clear idea of the policy impacts 1-10 (10 being the highest) Includes an introduction which includes a title that clearly communicates the topic and position. A brief introductory paragraph that introduces and summarizes your argument. 1-5 (5 being the highest) Use of at least 5 quality references with proper citations and referencing. 1-5 (5 being the highest) Well organized paper, well edited, and follows the basic guidelines of a policy brief 1-5 (5 being the highest) _____ ________ _________ Total 65 ________ ________ ________ Resources you can use Tips and Tools • https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/policy-briefs/ Simple instructions and work sheet • https://blogs.lshtm.ac.uk/griphealth/files/2017/01/Policybriefs-guide_2015.pdf Committee Briefing Paper aka The Policy Brief – Final InstructionsScenario (pretend)- The Gender and Economic Development Committee is designing new Gender and Economic Development International Development Framework (the framework is pretend also). You are being tasked to write a Committee Briefing Paper on Gender and Entrepreneurship. As you can imagine, this is a very wide topic so you can approach it how you like and write about the general topic of Gender and Entrepreneurship or narrow it down to a more specific aspect of Gender and Entrepreneurship. At this point some of you might be saying, Oh no! I have never seen a policy brief before much less write one. Before you freak out, let me tell you that there many many types available online, pick one that works for you. Here are a couple that can help. Tips and Tools • https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/policy-briefs/ Simple instructions and work sheet • https://blogs.lshtm.ac.uk/griphealth/files/2017/01/Policy-briefs-guide_2015.pdf I repeat- select the topic YOU want to write about within Gender and Entrepreneurship and chose YOUR own policy brief design. REMINDERS This is a culmination of the course assignment. Like a final paper, except more focused and follows a specific structure (watch the live tutorials if you are not sure about structure). You can watch the videos from the live tutorial if you are not sure what to do. You will find information about format, sections, rubric, etc.. Committee Briefing Paper (1) Prepare a committee 3–4-page briefing paper for a committee meeting on a topic covered in the course that will be assigned to you. The policy brief is a succinct and focused paper to help your audience make informed decisions. You will be assessed based on your understanding of the issue and the recommendations made. A ‘live’ tutorial will be offered to help guide you in the writing of your policy brief. Worth 30% of final grade. Criteria Points Possible Student demonstrates superior understanding of the issues. Makes clear background explanation and statement of the issue/problem. Clearly describes the problem including its scope and magnitude. 1-10 (10 being the highest) ________ Student offers a thoughtful, logical, well-articulated analysis of the problem using debates, concepts, terminology, and issues covered in the course. 1-10 (10 being the highest) ________ Presentation and analysis of at least two of the policy’s strengths and two of the policy’s weaknesses. 1-10 (10 being the highest) ________ Student identifies at least three strong, feasible, specific, actionable recommendations for strengthening the policy that policymakers could adopt. These recommendations are clearly stated and appropriate to audience and logically flow from your analysis. Student makes a strong conclusion which leaves the reader with a clear idea of the policy impacts 1-10 (10 being the highest) _____ 1-10 (10 being the highest) ________ Includes an introduction which includes a title that clearly communicates the topic and position. A brief introductory paragraph that introduces and summarizes your argument. 1-5 (5 being the highest) _________ Use of at least 5 quality references with proper citations and referencing. 1-5 (5 being the highest) ________ Well organized paper, well edited, and follows the basic guidelines of a policy brief 1-5 (5 being the highest) ________ Total 65 ________ This assignment requires a lot of time input so work on it bit by bit so that you have it ready by the due date - economic development as an aspiration for material betterment since the Industrial Revolution. Theories of Development developmental economics framed by the experiences of the Great Depression, the Second World War and the Cold War the tension and development economics between free the market forces and assigning the state a critical role different theoretical schools of economic development economics from the mid-20th century to now History of Ideas Approach The Market or the State? The Industrial Revolution Classical Political Economy Comparative advantage • production of specific goods • produce them more efficiently. • exportation of goods. economic nationalism Great Depression Second World War Bretton-Woods Cold War Dual Sector Model Neoliberalism Trade ProtectionRent Seeking Inclusive versus Extractive Institutions State of the State Does the State Have a Role in Development? Development ideas 1940-60’s 1970’s Post war and decolonization Humanization and poverty reduction Modernization and industrialization 1980’s and 1990’s neoliberalism, restructuring and transition 2000’s Consolidating efforts MDG’s, SDG”s Modern management and science will do it Development policy and planning ideas Market or State? • Technical assistance and agricultural extension • Large role for planning Statism to build institutions, foster domestic growth, attract international investments, etc. Aid and Multilateral loans Foreign policy interests How about local solutions? The State is Soverign State Canada- the State Nation Canada- First Nations The State Max Weber • an entity • with a monopoly over • the means of force • within a designated territory • that it controls, • enjoying legitimate support… • from much of the population • Force, • Territory • Sovereignty, • Legitimacy The State The State- an arena of policies and conflict The state as regulator Colonial Legacy Then entered the State States in the Global South face several risks REVOLTS & RESISTANCE Government Compradorial - Intermediaries State Capacity State Autonomy Embedded systems Citizens and the State A declining state? 1 Meaning, Measurement, and Morality in International Development 2 Jessica Schafer, Paul A. Haslam, and Pierre Beaudet What is the Developing World? 3 Labelling in International Development 5 Growth, Inequality, Poverty, and Development Global Ethics and International Development Ethical Behaviour and the Development Practitioner 8 15 19 25 2. Imperialism and the Colonial Experience Eric Allina European Expansion and Conquest 26 Rival Empires of Trade 29 "High" Imperialism in Africa 33 Common Themes in the Colonial Experience 37 86 Gender and Development: Theoretical Contributions, International Commitments, and Global Campaigns 84 Rebecca Tiessen, Jane Parpart, and Marianne H. Marchand Introduction 85 Theoretical Contributions and Feminist Insights Masculinities, Gender-Based Violence, and (In)security 93 International Commitments and Global Campaigns 95 Taking Stock: Achievements, Possibilities, and ongoing Gaps In Gender and Development 96 Globalization and Development 102 Pierre Beaudet Introduction 103 Globalization and Developing countries 103 Another Globalization? 111 Movement from Below 114 Can the World Change? 117 Facing the Biggest Challenge 119 Looking Ahead 119 6 PART II International Development Actors 123 7 State of the State: Does the State Have a Role in Development? 124 Anil Hira What is the state? The Legacy of Colonialism Defining the state's Role In Development Central Debates about the Role of the state in Economic Development Governance as a Process of Democratization 125 128 129 135
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