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Promoting the wellbeing of Africans through policy-relevant research on population and health

Facilitating use of Research Evidence by Parliamentarians

and Journalists: Experiences and Lessons from APHRC

Rose N. Oronje,Communications Officer,

African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC)

December 4, 2008

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APHRC in Brief

Pan-African organization that conducts research on population, health & education to inform policy & practice

3 core priorities: • Generate research evidence• Inform policy & practice• Strengthen research capacity

Research focus:• Urbanization & wellbeing; Population & RH; Health

challenges & systems; and Education

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Introduction

Research done to solve problems MPs’ role – oversight, legislation &

representation Journalists expand the reach of

development information, thus promote its uptake

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Engaging MPs with Research

Actively involving MPs in research dissemination meetings

Forming & working thru partnerships around issues

Identifying & working with champions Working closely with clerk assistants to

parliamentary committees Demonstrating the benefits to MPs

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Engaging MPs with Research cont’d

Demonstrating the extent of the problems that their constituents face

Explaining what the problem means for the development of their constituents

Stating clearly the role MPs can play in addressing the challenges

Understanding & responding to the challenges that MPs face in accessing & using research evidence

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A Kenyan MP addresses participants at an MPs meeting organized by APHRC & other partners

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Engaging Journalists with Research

Working through journalist networks & associations

Working with individual journalists Awards of excellence Media briefings & releases Trainings & sensitization sessions Journalist field visits Writing media pieces – features/letters to

the editor/piggy-backing

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Engaging Journalists with Research

Developing media engagement skills of APHRC researchers

Ensuring that APHRC researchers are easily reachable for interviews/comments

Understanding & responding to the challenges that journalists face in reporting research

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Journalists at a Media Briefing organized by APHRC in Nairobi

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Achievements

Establishment of the Kenya Parliamentary Network on Population and Development

Introduction of a budget line for FP services in Kenya’s national budget

Increased media coverage Increased interest among journalists to

cover research

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Challenges

Frequent changes in MPs after every election

MPs priorities Media deadlines Media priorities Limited funding

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Conclusions

Sustained engagement is critical Frame research in clear & accessible

ways - the way research is packaged & communicated influences its uptake by MPs & journalists

Frame research messages to align with bigger political or development issues

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Conclusions cont’d

Work in partnerships with a range of actors – build coalitions – to get MPs to focus on what research is revealing

Foster demand for research among MPs & journalists

Continuously sensitize MPs & journalists on research processes & the role of research in development

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Thank you