The Policy Studies Institute announced its three-year plan for the 2016-2018 fiscal year in Arba Minch Town on September 2, 2023, which is derived from its ten-year strategic plan and the country’s national plan.
Dr. Netsanet Jote
Dr. Netsenat Jote, the lead researcher of PSI, gave a coherent presentation of the Institute's 3-year sector plan to the staff. Dr. Netsanet presented the program and subprograms of the Institute. She also mentioned the different activities mentioned in each subprogram.
Dr. Netsanet stated that the main program of PSI is to conduct the National Policy Research and Studies Program. She added that the Institute has four sub-programs: First, conducting national policy research and studies on economic, social, environmental, and governance issues. Second, it studies the impact of national development policies and major programs/projects. Third, the Institute works to build national policy research and study capacity. The Institute's final subprogram focuses on policy research outcomes and knowledge management.
The Staff
Each subprogram also pursues different activities and sets quantitative goals for each year within the three-year period. PSI plays a critical role in the field of policy research by engaging in a variety of activities that are consistent with its mission to conduct high-quality research and provide valuable insights to key stakeholders. Through these activities, the Institute strives to support decision-making processes, promote evidence-based policy development, and contribute to the implementation of national development priorities.
A fundamental aspect of the Institute's work is holding regular consultation meetings with key government stakeholders. Through these discussions, the Institute ensures that its research agendas are aligned with the country's national development priorities. This is the only way to ensure that research addresses the country's most important and pressing problems.
Another important task of the Institute is to identify and validate research agendas based on national development priorities. Through a rigorous process, it carefully selects topics that are of greatest relevance and importance. This ensures that the research conducted by the Institute directly addresses the country's critical challenges and opportunities.
Once research agendas are established, the Institute prepares comprehensive research proposals outlining the objectives, methods, and expected outcomes of the studies. These proposals guide researchers in data collection and analysis. The Institute then conducts comprehensive data collection and analysis on the various research plans, using a variety of sources such as surveys and secondary data. This careful approach ensures that the research is based on solid evidence and provides valuable insights for policy formulation.
Dr. Netsanet explained that the findings and recommendations resulting from the research are subsequently presented in policy research reports. These reports are comprehensive and provide a detailed analysis of the research conducted and actionable recommendations for policymakers and other stakeholders.
Dr. Netsanet emphasized that recognizing the need for concise and accessible information, the Institute has developed policy briefs that summarize key findings and recommendations from the research reports. These briefs are designed to be easily understood by policymakers and serve as valuable tools for the decision-making process.
In addition to the reports and policy briefs, the Institute actively contributes to the research discourse by producing working papers, book chapters, and journal articles. Through these publications, the Institute disseminates its research findings to the broader academic community, contributing to the body of knowledge on policy issues.
Another important activity of the Institute is benchmarking policy agendas. By comparing and evaluating the effectiveness of national policies against regional and international standards and conventions, the Institute provides valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of existing policies. Dr. Netsanet pointed out that the Institute also produces synthesis studies that examine the adoption and implementation of regional and international conventions. These reports shed light on the impact of these conventions on policymaking and provide valuable insights for policymakers.
To ensure accountability and effective governance, Dr. Netsanet said, the institute identifies key flagship projects and develops research proposals to assess their impact. Through rigorous impact evaluation protocols and data collection and analysis, it assesses the effectiveness of these projects and provides valuable guidance for improvement.
Dr. Netsanet explained that PSI produces reports that evaluate the effectiveness of the current Ten-Year National Development Plan and identify progress, challenges, and recommendations for improvement. These reports serve as valuable tools for policymakers to track the implementation of the plan and make necessary adjustments.
Dr. Netsanet also emphasized that PSI conducts sectoral studies to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions in key sectors. These studies provide evidence-based findings that inform policy formulation and the decision-making process, ensuring that policies are based on sound research. She also stated that the Institute recognizes the importance of building capacity within the research community and conducts needs assessments for national policy research. These assessments identify skill and competency gaps so that the institute can develop targeted training modules that enhance the capabilities of researchers and policymakers.
Currently, PSI actively advises line ministries and regional offices and makes recommendations on various policy issues. This advice draws on the Institute's research findings and expertise, providing valuable insights for policy development and implementation.
Dr. Netsanet explained that the Institute develops national policy formulation guidelines in recognition of the importance of effective policy formulation and implementation. These guidelines serve as a framework for policymakers, providing them with a structured approach to policy development and implementation.
Dr. Netsanet also stated that PSI actively participates in national, regional, and international think tank consortia and forums to promote knowledge exchange, share best practices, and enhance collaboration. Through these partnerships, the Institute contributes to collective efforts to gain valuable insights and promote evidence-based policy development.
Dr. Netsanet also noted that dissemination of research findings is an important aspect of the Institute's work. The Institute uses a variety of media channels, including seminars, workshops, broadcasts, and websites, to reach a wide audience of policymakers, researchers, and the public. This ensures that research findings are accessible and have a significant impact.
Dr. Netsanet's presentation of the three-year plan for the Policy Studies Institute (PSI) was met with high praise from the staff members. It was emphasized that while PSI executes most of its programs and subprograms internally, the institute also receives support from external institutions such as the Ministry of Planning and Development, the Ethiopian Statistical Service, and the Environmental Protection Authority to implement its initiatives.
The staff members appreciated Dr. Netsanet's ability to clearly articulate the three-year plan during the presentation. Clarity and effective communication are essential in ensuring that all staff members have a comprehensive understanding of the institute's goals, objectives, and strategies for the coming years. By presenting the plan in a clear and concise manner, Dr. Netsanet fostered a shared understanding among the staff, which is crucial for successful implementation.