Presentation given at the Sixth RENEWAL Regional Workshop: A decade of work on HIV, food and nutrition security. By Noora-Lisa Aberman

1. A DECADE OF RENEWAL:
CAPACITY STRENGTHENING &
COMMUNICATIONS
by Noora Aberman

2. CS AND COMMUNICATIONS FOR IMPACT ON
POLICY AND PROGRAMS
 Convening regional workshops
 Major presence at international & regional
conferences
 Dissemination of research results through NAPs &
other in-country activities
 Publication of research results
 Mentoring of graduate students
 Research collaboration
 CS modules:
 Thematic knowledge
 Research methods
 Policy communications

3. HOW CAN WE HAVE IMPACT?
 “Enlightenment” model (Weiss,1977)
 Non-linear and complex (Keeley and Scoons, 2000)
 Iterative policy impact
 Influencing the policy dialogue

4. DESIGN
 Network Structure  promote ownership and
support through “In-reach”
 3 Pillars:
Action Research
Policy Capacity
Communications Strengthening
 Various levels & layers: International, regional,
national, project specific

5. REVIEW OF SUCCESSES: COMMUNICATIONS
 2005 Durban Conference
 Influencing international dialogue (UNAIDS,
PEPFAR)
 Mainstreaming importance of ARVs & Nutrition
 Input into National Strategic Plans
 Influencing high-level decision makers

6. REVIEW OF SUCCESSES: CAPACITY
STRENGTHENING
 Net-Map Workshops: Policy Communications
Trainings
 Impact of training modules with Africa Centre for
Food Security

7. REVIEW OF SUCCESSES: CAPACITY
STRENGTHENING
 Some applications from the Uganda Net-Map
Workshop:
“The tools have improved my research supervision skills especially
for graduate students on issues that have policy implications. I have
also shared these tools with other research projects that I have
interacted with such as SABRES funded by NIH.”
“(I) developed a series of policy (briefs) which have been found to
have useful information relevant to the re-design of NAADS
programme.”
“Already I have prepared 3 policy briefs with regard to key
programme components in my organisation and how we can
consolidate and or strengthen impact to achieve the desired
objectives.”

8. LEARNING FOR THE PAST: FUTURE
SUGGESTIONS
 Develop strategic communications priorities &
action plans for NAPs
 Strengthening capacity in the art of policy
communucations: long-term collaboration for
sustained and strategic impact
 Partnership with boundary organization?