News

Worldwide, January 2004

Communication, Promotion and Advocacy Training

IMA designed a course to improve the links between scientific research and pro-poor development policy. This requires improved skills and a greater commitment to communication, promotion and advocacy, which translate into clear strategies and monitorable action plans. This course has been a proactive attempt to improve this process.

We ran these courses in the following countries on the following dates:

10-14 May 2004, Ghana
1-5 November 2004, Costa Rica
6-10 December 2004, Thailand

IMA International, working alongside NR International, designed and delivered a series of training courses for DFID's Forestry Research Programme (FRP). Delivered in four international locations in 2004, the courses were a significant response to the global need for stronger and active links between research, policy formulation and poverty alleviation. One of ten competitive grants programme within DFID's Renewable Natural Resources Research Strategy, FRP helps country partners in the eradication of poverty, by supporting research on priority developmental problems of the forestry- dependent poor. The five-day courses were specifically designed for FRP researchers wishing to improve their skills in communicating their findings to stakeholders so as to influence policy and developmental impact. The course provided skills and knowledge to improve research promotion and the associated uptake of research findings. Participants developed and strengthened their own specific Research Project Promotion Strategies, which together with their personal Action Plans initiated a process encouraging sustainable and lasting changes.
 

Continuation As part of a continuous learning process, IMA International has established a Promotion Support Service for FRP projects that continues into 2006. Opening this course up to a wider audience was part of the objectives for this programme. The Communication Methods and Scientific Advocacy courses have now been added to IMA International's scheduled courses, as Research Promotion for Development.