Policy systems function well when all its stakeholders are empowered to actively participate in the policy process. The media being one of the key stakeholders and contributors of knowledge for policy debate and dialogue, plays a critical role in the policy process. It can influence policy change by framing issues in a certain way. The media can stimulate public demand for change. However, in order to influence policy change the media requires the capacity to critically report on policy issues.
This year, Michigan State University (MSU), International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and the University of Pretoria (UP) offered a range of capacity strengthening training workshops to young journalists and scientists from Malawi, South Africa and Zambia. Four trainings were conducted throughout the year, with the purpose of familiarizing journalists with the food security and nutrition policy process and to empower them with tools to critically report on policy issues.Three of workshops applied the Kaleidoscope Model for Policy Change as a training tool. The model was used to help participants understand various stages of the policy process and identify the key drivers of policy change. The training aimed to help journalists apply the Kaleidoscope Model in various contexts to develop meaningful stories.
The first capacity building workshop was held in Blantyre, Malawi in collaboration with the New Alliance Policy Acceleration Support (NAPAS) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development. The workshop focused on improving the reporting of issues of food security and nutrition. It assisted in helping the journalists identify their role in the policy process. Participants were asked to develop food security stories using the Kaleidoscope Model. Many of the stories they prepared were reported soon after the workshop.
The second workshop was held in Pretoria, South Africa and focused on bridging the communication gap between journalists and researchers. This workshop was an opportunity for journalists to network with researchers who could provide expert opinions on food security and nutrition related issues. Researchers also were introduced to journalists who could assist in translating and disseminating research findings to policymakers and the general public. Several of the journalists reported on the workshop process as well as the workshop content. This workshop prepared the journalists for the next two engagements.
Journalists then participated in a policy dialogue in Lilongwe, Malawi that focused on gendering Malawi’s forthcoming National Nutrition Policy. They not only reported the research findings, but were able to participate in a policy analysis exercise through which they were further capacitated. Again, it was an opportunity for the journalists to interact with policymakers involved in the development of nutrition policy.
The final workshop was a workshop held in Pretoria, South Africa, titled ‘Conceptualizing Drivers of Agriculture and Nutrition Policy Change through the Kaleidoscope Model: Consultative workshop on micronutrient policy change’. The purpose of the workshop was to present research findings and validate the Kaleidoscope Model. Through this workshop journalist were able to see the application of the Kaleidoscope Model, which they had been familiarized with in the first session. They not only reported the research findings, but were also able to translate the purpose of the Kaleidoscope Model for the public.
These workshops strengthened the capacity of the media to report on food security and nutrition policy related issues. They also provided journalists with the necessary tools to critically assess and participate in the policy process. As a result of these engagements 23 journal articles and radio reports were prepared by participants. The journalists in Malawi continue to engage with the networks they developed during the workshop. For more details on this training series please contact Suresh Babu (S.Babu@cgiar.org).