The document reviews a decade of efforts in capacity strengthening and communications aimed at impacting policy and programs. It highlights successes in influencing international dialogue, training workshops, and the development of policy briefs from various regional initiatives. Future suggestions include developing strategic communications plans and fostering long-term collaborations for sustained impact.

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?