2. Key message
Combining research with activism can effectively
communicate research findings and influence policy process
Influencing policy requires a versatile role, engaging beyond
policy makers to policy actors
Challenging political manoeuvring, interest based
negotiation and donor hegemony require new breed of
researcher-activists
exciting achievements – but remains in the margin
3. Approaches to link research with activism
Strategic analysis, monitoring and evidencing
Supporting, empowering citizen networks
Critically interrogate knowledge hegemony
Constant engagement with policy actors
Communicate to policy & epistemic community
4. Key issues of forest sector in Nepal
• Centralised policy process
• Ongoing state-community
contestation
• Continued expansion of PAs
• Climate change, REDD, Churia
Terai forests,
• Differentiated communities
and distributional conflicts
• Forestry aid
5. The actor landscape in forestry
Donors
Research
institutions INGOs
Ministry,
Dept Parliamentary
Private committee
sector
Citizen NGOs
networks
6. Engagement at different levels
Thematic reviews and analysis,
National level strategic meetings, policy
Policy forums discussions, networking,
Research thematic workshops
team
Reflective workshops,
Meso-forums coordinated support to local
groups, feedback to Forest
Department, Ministry
Local
facilitators
Facilitate local level planning and
CFUG implementation, monitoring and
documentation, facilitate external
linkage
7. Alliance with civic
networks/movements
Support in strategic planning
Provide critical input to major
policy issues
But
Low appreciation of
knowledge,
Seek friendly evidence,
Culture of defensive routine
8. 1. Identify policy agenda
2. Prepare for round-table meeting
Identify and invite Identify and invite participants Set a round-table date and
panelists venue
Arrange logistics—recorder, camera, and Conduct diagnostic study and prepare
projector presentation
3. Host the round-table
meeting Seating of panelists and participants
Make presentation and pose questions Recor
d and
Steps of hosting Mode Request the panelists for expert opinions
note
the
rate
National Policy the
discu
ssion
discu
Round Table ssion Conduct moderated discussions amongst participants
s
s
Draw substantive conclusions
4. Incorporate the conclusions into outputs
Policy Brief Discussion Paper Booklet Synthesis report
5. Disseminate through media (media news, TV shows, and feature articles)
9. Engaging with media
• Use of personal relations
• Interaction with journalist,
engage them through critical
dialogue
• Give interview, organise
media interactions
• Write column, help writers
with ideas
• TV programme broadcast,
documentary
• Press release
11. Our engagement in forest policy processes
Policy issues Level ForestAction contribution Achievement
Special forest policy for Policy Action researches Cartelize terai
Terai (April 2000) and Dissertations forest governance
wider debate of Terai Book debate
forest governance Journal articles
Special issue of Journal on Terai
forest
Community Forestry Guidelines Actively participated in taskforce Pro-poor CF
Guidelines Analysis and papers focusing guidelines
pro-poor and inclusive provisions
Forest Act amendment Act Field study Government
(different attempts Discussion paper withdrew
including 2001, 2010) Policy roundtable amendment bill
Gaurisankhar Regulations Field study Ensured
Conservation Area Policy roundtable community rights
(2010-2011) in Gaurisankhar CA
regulations with
CF inventory guidelines Guidelines Field study and report Simplified CF
(September 2000) Review article in JFL inventory
guidelines
12. Joint
Media authorship
engagement Publications
(encourage to read
and write )
Contribute to
major events
(CF WS, GACF)
Spectrum of Action research
engagement and multi level
engagement
Organise policy
forums
Alliance with
citizen
Meeting, networks
Contribute to govt.
reflections
processes
with policy
makers
13. M-SH process: a continued challenge
• Question government monopoly
• Lobby for, encourage M-SH process
• Capacitate weak actors, question
and contest the hegemonic relations
• Critical input to meetings, w/s
• Challenges: strategic manipulation,
representation, accountability,
unequal deliberative competency
14. Forest Act amendment bill: A successful case
Media reports Government proposal
FECOFUN protest
Amendment bill
withdrawn
Policy round table Discussion paper Field research
15. Political vs. Intellectual argument
CSOs
planned a FA conducted
study a study
Was not
impressive Conducted a Used
participatory scientific
Diverse parties discipline
study appreciated
Shared in a press
conference Presented in a
Report blamed policy Prepared a discussion
bureaucracy roundtable paper
16. Challenges
Retaining
good people Unmet local
expectations
Social
accountability
research –
Project advocacy
liabilities balance
Evidence vs
Limited political
research manoeuvring
Knowledge
funds monopoly of large
institutions
