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Issue Identification as

Key Step in Policy Advocacy

Ramon San Pascual, MPHExecutive Director, Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and

Development

Engaging Parliamentarians Pursuing Development

A Policy is

• A plan or course of action

• By a government, organization or individual


Linear Model of Policy Development

Variously called the linear, mainstream, common-sense or rational model, this model is the most widely-held view of the way in which policy is made. It outlines policy-making as a problem solving process which is rational, balanced, objective and analytical. In the model, decisions are made in a series of sequential phases, starting with the identification of a problem or issue, and ending with a set of activities to solve or deal with it.


An Example of the Linear Model


NonLinear Model of Policy Process


Problems

Politics

Solutions

Window of Opportunity for Policy Change


Problems

Politics

Solutions

Window of Opportunity

Starting with Information


Problems

Politics

Solutions

Information

Moving the Spheres Together


Problems

Politics

Solutions

Policy

Learning

Agenda Setting

Coa

litio

n

Bui

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g

The Policy Agenda• A set of issues

• In a hierarchy of importance

• At a given point in time


The Goal of Agenda Setting

Gain attention, keep the interest, influence action of:• the media• the public• policymakers


Characteristics of Issues that get on the Policy Agenda

• Clear, measurable indicators • Policy champions• Feasible policy or program alternatives• Attention-focusing events


Clear, Measurable Indicators

• Give visibility to problems or solutions

• Give relevance or importance to an issue

• Stimulate action


Steps in Issue Identification

• Outline the problem

• Study the problem and its causes in detail

• Determine how aware the public is of the issue, deciding who will participate in fixing it

• Gauge which policy changes are needed to address the identified problem


Capable Champions

Committed individuals or groups who

• Define problem and keep attention focused continuously

• Dramatize concern using indicators

• Seize opportunities to focus attention


Policy Learning

• The ongoing stream of information to policymakers and other actors in the policy making process

• An understanding by all actors of complex power relations, changing institutional arrangements, policy results or impact


Monitoring and Evaluation

We need evidence which show that:

• Our issues have gained the attention of policy makers. (i.e.,gotten on the policy agenda)

• Our activities have enhanced coalition efforts to increase support to the policy agenda

• The information we disseminated was used for policy learning


Ultimately…

We need evidence of changes in policies (national, sector, or program level), programs, strategies, or resource allocation


In Summary• Policy change is a complex, dynamic process

• Three basic elements are agenda-setting, coalition building, policy learning

• Issue identification is key

• Information is a key but must be disseminated strategically;

• Evaluate, evaluate, evaluate
