By Patrick Amuriat Oboi, MP Member Committee on science and technology Parliament of Uganda

1. By Patrick Amuriat Oboi, MPMember Committee on science and technologyParliament of Uganda African Science Academy Development Initiative (ASADI) November 10-11, 2009 Accra, Ghana Improving Maternal, Newborn and Child Health in Sub-Saharan Africa   Developing and Applying New Knowledge: Policy Makers Perspective

2. Introduction • The world is changing rapidly and humans have acted knowingly or not in causing some of the challenges that we face as a global community. • These challenges can be felt as we experience them in our daily lives. • Global challenges that the world is grappling which include ; Climate change and environmental degradation resulting in devastating effects including floods and drought;

3. Depletion of sources of fossil energy with biofuels being used as an alternative source causing rise in food prices and shortage in many parts of the world; New infectious Diseases and scourges such HIV/AIDS, Ebola and H1N1 besides those endemic to Africa like malaria, cholera etc; Break down of food supply chain where in Africa reliance on rain fed agriculture has put some countries to the point of starvation.

4. Fulfillment of MDGs for African countries remain extremely elusive. • Reducing mortality among children under five and improving maternal health to achieve a reduction by ¾ the maternal mortality is still not being achieved. • To meet the MDG target, Uganda will need to reduce its maternal mortality from 435 to 131 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2015. Uganda’s MDG target for infant mortality rate is 31 per 1,000 live births by 2015.

5. Research, Scientific Evidence and Policy  • Scientific evidence generated from research can contribute to better governance. • A whole new way of thinking and new scientific knowledge will be the engine through which these challenges can be overcome. • In the past knowledge meant equal power and control and access to information was usually limited. • This has changed in the sense that today; there is an over abundance of information available due to the information revolution. • The Internet remains a powerful tool so full of information helped by open sourcing that we do not know anymore where to look, or how to find what is valuable. Therefore the way we position ourselves to the information becomes crucial.

6. How research can affect policy • This can be described using three broad categories; • Expanding Policy Capacities: Knowledge and research can have a positive impact on building the capacities of policy-makers in different contexts, enabling them to be better informed while making policies. • Broadening Policy Horizons: Expanding the scope of concepts covered that will invariably broaden the agenda by bringing in new ideas and knowledge previously not considered. Policy-makers will then have a much broader outlook and be encouraged to think outside the box to address problems. • Affecting Policy Regimes: Research can impact overarching policy regimes by opening up policy processes and operational procedures of the government.

7. Studies point out two fundamental factors upon which the ability for research to translate effectively into policy hinges; Context and Contingencies • There are several scenarios where context matters played an important role: Scenario 1 :Policy-maker Demand: • Adequate demand from the policy realm and policy-maker for research. • researcher needs to be vigilant and ready to seize opportunities, making timing the most important variable. The position of scientists in the country on the controversial debate on GMOs.

8. Scenario 2 : Policy-maker Interest; Leadership Gap: • The policy environment is not really conducive for use of data and knowledge due to an institutional and leadership gap despite adequate interest from policy-makers. • There is a need to build leadership and institutional infrastructure within this context in order to enable research to have an impact. Implementation problems also exist in this context. FGM and HIV and circumcision Scenario 3:Policy-maker Interest; Resources Gap: • Policy-makers are interested in research but there are insufficient resources in order for research to seep into policy. Most countries in Africa are faced with this scenario, where the practice is to use the scarce resources to deal with the immediate needs of countries than to invest in what is perceived as lengthy and “expensive” research. Competing priorities

9. Scenario 4: Policy-maker Neutral, Research Interest: • Policy-makers are neutral to research, which makes it challenging for research to have a tangible influence. Aggressive communication of research is more important in this scenario given the lukewarm attitude towards the research community. Scenario 5:Policy-maker Disinterest; Research Interest: • Policy-makers are largely disinterested and even hostile towards research within this context. In this situation, policy influencing using evidence-based approaches can break down quickly. Patience and persistence is critical in order to bring salient issues to the table. Basic research which are seen as intellectual exercises.

10. Carden goes beyond contexts to expressed the need to actively exploit contingencies that emerge, • He identifies contingencies into five situations that arise in countries and acknowledges that these contingencies evolve, constantly presenting and preventing opportunities for research-based findings to play a role in policy processes. 1. Stability of Decision-Making Institutions: • Stability of decision-making institutions is imperative. Rapid turnover of governments is not very conducive for research to translate into policy and for researchers to develop relationships with policy-makers. Continuity is important in this regard. 2. Capacity of Decision-Makers to use Research: • It is important to educate and build capacity of policy-makers in order to enable them to engage effectively with research findings. When policy-makers are educated and well informed, policy processes are enhanced and there is a greater chance for research to have a positive impact.

11. 3. Decentralization vs. Centralisation: • Research can have an influence in highly centralised and decentralised systems of governance alike. The cases of Philippines (highly decentralised) and Vietnam (highly centralised) are elaborated to underscore that both systems are open to research if presented well. Aligning a project’s plan with prevailing political structures is more important. 4. Transitional Countries: • Countries in political, economic and social transition remain sites for policy innovation and experimentation, thereby increasing the need and call for research. 5. Economic Pressures: • Nations embroiled in economic crises/pressures are more open towards research since policy-makers are in dire need of ideas to turn the tide. Crises represent an opportunity for the policy research community.

12. What needs to be done? In view of the above contexts matters and emerging contingencies, researchers should help policy makers to: • Recognize that there is a direct relationship between research investments and economic and social development in terms of increased length and quality of life, poverty alleviation and environmental sustainability. • Interface with research and researchers and both should underline the fact that the budget, as a major social policy document, is more than a financial document. Parliaments have to determine the degree of overall priorities given to research particularly in countries facing prohibitive budgetary policies;

13. There is a need to: • Acknowledge that in the context of new form of governance, many stakeholders take part in setting budgetary policy besides parliament (educational and scientific institutions, private sector, civil society and media) • urge scientists and researchers to ensure that new knowledge does not created new undesirable challenges. This must be done while bearing in mind the other challenges that may cause a crisis if not paid attention to. This helps in building policy makers confidence and trust in research. • Emphasize research and transfer of knowledge and networking. Researchers from different countries need to conduct research in a collaborative manner. Ignoring the “have nots” would indicate a lack of appreciation that the challenges we are dealing with today are global in nature and that synergy will be realized by this approach.

14. Conclusion It is important to emphasis that evidence-based (data) approaches can lead to better governance in three ways: • opening up new avenues of inquiry and debate, • empowering citizens with knowledge to hold their governments accountable, • expanding the menu of policy options available for policy-makers as they seek to address salient public policy issues and • there has to be foresight, creativity, momentum in researchers confidence and confidence in their momentum. Are Scientist apolitical?

15. Thank you for your attention