CSOs trained on policy brief and position paper development to bolster advocacy in Rwanda

Elias Hakizimana Nov 15, 2024 0 Comments

By The Inspirer.

The Great Lakes Initiative for Human Rights and Development (GLIHD), in collaboration with Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), hosted a capacity-building workshop to enhance the skills of civil society organizations (CSOs) in developing effective policy briefs and position papers.

The one-day event, held in Kigali on November 15, 2024, aimed to equip participants with tools for evidence-based advocacy and strengthen their influence on public policy.

The workshop, part of the *Public Policy Information Monitoring and Advocacy (PPIMA) project’s fourth phase, brought together representatives from various CSOs.

It focused on training participants to craft impactful documents that articulate advocacy messages with clarity and evidence, driving policy change on human rights and other critical issues in Rwanda.

***Participants actively engage in a capacity-building workshop on policy brief and position paper development. /Courtesy photo.***

Enhancing advocacy tools

In her opening remarks, GLIHD’s Deputy Executive Director, Madam Vestine Umulisa, underlined the importance of policy briefs and position papers in advancing advocacy goals.

Drawing from GLIHD’s extensive experience in this domain, she highlighted successful examples of position papers on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) law, family law, and the regulation of NGOs, INGOs, and faith-based organizations (FBOs).

“Advocacy is not a solo effort. It requires dedication and partnerships among organizations. Together, we can make greater strides in influencing policy outcomes,” said Madam Umulisa, urging CSOs to collaborate more effectively.

***Umulisa Vestine, Deputy Executive Director of GLIHD, emphasizes the importance of collective efforts in advocacy during her opening remarks at the capacity-building workshop in Kigali.***

Interactive and practical learning

John, a facilitator from GLIHD, delivered an in-depth lecture on the structure and purpose of policy briefs and position papers. He emphasized the importance of integrating evidence, aligning advocacy materials with organizational goals, and engaging stakeholders effectively.

Participants engaged in group exercises to draft sample documents and received personalized feedback from the trainers.

The interactive sessions allowed participants to exchange ideas, share best practices, and learn from case studies presented during the workshop.

A participant from a partner CSO remarked, “The practical aspect of the training, especially the peer review, was invaluable in helping us understand how to improve our advocacy materials.”

GLIHD anticipates that the training will improve the quality of advocacy materials produced by CSOs, strengthen their capacity to use evidence-based tools for influencing public policy, and foster increased collaboration and peer support among organizations working on related advocacy themes.

The workshop concluded with a call for ongoing collaboration and dedication to advancing human rights and social justice through strategic advocacy.

Participants expressed their commitment to applying the skills gained to amplify their organizational impact.