Lars Koch IBIS

1. Lars KochIBIS Making influence real New opportunities for influencing education policy

2. The Paris Declaration and achievements from Accra New opportunities for Civil Society participation in policy, plans and implementation – The Accra Agenda for Action Making the Voice of Civil Society Heard How to engage in in policy dialogue and influence policy, planning and implementation Outline of the Presentation

3. The Paris Declaration • The Paris Declaration from 2005 is guiding donor and recipient countries aid relationship • It is in implementation and both donors and recipient countries increasingly subscribe to Paris • 5 important principles • Ownership • Alignment • Harmonisation • Managing for results • Mutual accountability • Ownership is the key principle – opening new policy spaces – aid should take point of departure in developing countries own strategies and plans

4. Accra Agenda for Action (AAA) Adopted in September 2008 Building on and Supplementing the Paris Declaration Civil Society is acknowledged as an important partner in development AAA is setting new standards for CSO participation and dialogue with governments and donors “Ownership” should now be “national” (opposed to Ministry of Finance) and “Democratic” with parliaments and CSO on board All important donors and recipient countries have signed this declaration Accra Agenda for Action

5. Accra Agenda for Action • “Country ownership is key. Developing country governments will take stronger leadership of their own development policies, and will engage with their parliaments and citizens in shaping those policies.” AAA §8” • “We will engage in open and inclusive dialogue on development policies. We acknowledge the critical role and responsibility of parliaments in ensuring country ownership of development processes. To further this objective we will take the following actions: • a) Developing country governments will work more closely with parliaments and local authorities in preparing, implementing and monitoring national development policies and plans. They will also engage with civil society organisations (CSOs). • b) Donorswill support efforts to increase the capacity of all development actors—parliaments, central and local governments, CSOs, research institutes, media and the private sector—totake an active role in dialogue on development policy and on the role of aid in contributing to countries’ development objectives.” AAA §13

6. 20. “We will deepen our engagement with CSOs as independent development actors in their own right whose efforts complement those of governments and the private sector. … To this end: a) We invite CSOs to reflect on how they can apply the Paris principles of aid effectiveness from a CSO perspective. b) … As part of that process, we will seek to i) improve co-ordination of CSO efforts with government programmes, ii) enhance CSO accountability for results, and iii) improve information on CSO activities. c) We will work with CSOs to provide an enabling environment that maximises their contributions to development.” AAA §20 Accra Agenda for Action

7. The AAA opens new policy spaces for CSO Governments commit to engage in policy dialogue with CSO (and parliaments and local authorities) Governments and donors commit to an enabling environment for CSO (legal, political, funding) and to be more transparent Donors commit to support (fund) CSOs, research institutions, etc. CSOs are challenged to Engage in policy dialogue Improve coordination with government CSO are also challenged to Be more accountable and transparent Reflect on how they can apply the Paris Principles New Policy Spaces – and Challenges

8. New Policy Dialogue Spaces Donors Bilateral/multilateral Dialog spaces Voice Budget support Recipient government National Poverty Reduction Strategy Sector/Ministry Agriculture Sector support Sector/Ministry Inffrastructure Sector/Ministry Decentral. Sector Strategy Sector/Ministry health Sector/Ministry Education Voice Civil Society Natioanl, Networks, local

9. Increasingly sector policies will be the most important space for CSO National level plans (PRSPs etc) are often general, less operational Sector level (e.g. Education) is where most CSOs have their capacity, knowledge and experiences Donors are in many cases pushing for CSO to get engaged – they will in many cases be an ally Especially at the consultative level, not necessarily in details Governments in general more reluctant to accept the role of CSO and engage in dialogue But governments have signed the AAA, are pushed by donors and need the capacity of civil society to reach results CSO – have to develop capacity to engage in dialogue and advocacy based on experiences, knowledge and research to influence politics It is no longer sufficient just to doing good locally! CSOs ability to network – with other CSOs, with government, with donors Influencing policy spaces

10. Decision Making Cycle Flagging problems – Girls, Poor regions, Bilingual challenges Alliances & Networks – Building strong education networks for influence Analysing necessities Evaluating & Monitoring • Participation and consultation in decision-making • Official consultations, Lobby, conferences, etc International NGOs Analysing & Monitoring results - legislation, reforms, outcomes Civil Society Govern- ment Policies & Strategies Donors Dialogue space Presenting Demands based on experiences and research – more teachers, New curriculums Implementing Planning CSO coordinating with Government – Showcasing innovative approaches to education – curriculum, bilingual, etc. Budgeting Budgets – transparency and participation, also at district and school level

11. Influence Through Strong Advocacy • Practice/Project • Experiences • Best practises • Implementation The Advocacy Triangle • Advocacy • Based on practical experiences and best practises proposals for educational reform • Strong networks build with other CSOs • Negotiation with government • Using media local and nationally • CSO Capacity Building & Organisational Development • Assessing needs and challenges • Build constituency and legitimacy • Leadership and communication

12. Summary • Paris and Accra is opening new spaces for CSO influencing policy • CSO are challenged to make use of these new opportunities – especially at sector level - Education • CSOs will have to improve advocacy and networking skills: • Profound mapping of other actors and processes among government, donors and CSOs • Networks for policy dialogue and lobbying • Continued follow up in stead of one-off events • Engaging in the entire decision making circle • Evidence based advocacy based on own practise and research • Develop strong and legitimate organisations and networks

13. Thank you!