Policy Brief
WrItIng effectIve rePorts
4.1 Preparing policy briefs
4
.1
4.2 More reporting formats 4.3 Writing effectively
Lesson 4.1: Preparing policy briefs
4
.1
Learning objectives
At the end of this lesson, you will be able to: identify two types of policy briefs (advocacy and objective); describe the characteristics of a policy brief; describe the structure and contents of a policy brief; and conceptualize a policy brief about a food security issue.
Introduction
In this lesson we will take a close look at policy briefs and learn how to produce them.
What are policy briefs?
A policy brief is a concise summary of a particular issue, the policy options to deal with it, and some recommendations on the best option. It is aimed at government policymakers and others who are interested in formulating or influencing policy. Policy briefs can take different formats. A typical format is a single A4 sheet (210 x 297 mm), containing perhaps 700 words. It has an attractive design, and may have one or more photograph. Longer briefs (up to 8 pages, or 3,000 words) and other formats are also possible.
141
Food Security Communications Toolkit
Examples of policy briefs
Here are some examples of policy briefs from different organizations:
Braun, J. von, and M. Torero. 2008. Physical and virtual global food reserves to protect the poor and prevent market failure. IFPRI Policy Brief 4. International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC. www.ifpri.org/sites/default/files/publications/ bp004.pdf
FAO. 2005. Strengthening sustainable agricultural and rural enterprises. SARD Brief 3. SARD-Farming Systems Evolution project. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome. www.fao.org/sard/common/ecg/2461/en/SARD_Brief_3.pdf
EC - FAO Food Security Information for Action Programme, Food Security in Protracted Crises: What can be done?, Policy Brief, December 2008 ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/ fao/011/ak057e/ak057e00.pdf
4.1 Preparing policy briefs
4
.1
4.2 More reporting formats 4.3 Writing effectively
Lesson 4.1: Preparing policy briefs
4
.1
Learning objectives
At the end of this lesson, you will be able to: identify two types of policy briefs (advocacy and objective); describe the characteristics of a policy brief; describe the structure and contents of a policy brief; and conceptualize a policy brief about a food security issue.
Introduction
In this lesson we will take a close look at policy briefs and learn how to produce them.
What are policy briefs?
A policy brief is a concise summary of a particular issue, the policy options to deal with it, and some recommendations on the best option. It is aimed at government policymakers and others who are interested in formulating or influencing policy. Policy briefs can take different formats. A typical format is a single A4 sheet (210 x 297 mm), containing perhaps 700 words. It has an attractive design, and may have one or more photograph. Longer briefs (up to 8 pages, or 3,000 words) and other formats are also possible.
141
Food Security Communications Toolkit
Examples of policy briefs
Here are some examples of policy briefs from different organizations:
Braun, J. von, and M. Torero. 2008. Physical and virtual global food reserves to protect the poor and prevent market failure. IFPRI Policy Brief 4. International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC. www.ifpri.org/sites/default/files/publications/ bp004.pdf
FAO. 2005. Strengthening sustainable agricultural and rural enterprises. SARD Brief 3. SARD-Farming Systems Evolution project. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome. www.fao.org/sard/common/ecg/2461/en/SARD_Brief_3.pdf
EC - FAO Food Security Information for Action Programme, Food Security in Protracted Crises: What can be done?, Policy Brief, December 2008 ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/ fao/011/ak057e/ak057e00.pdf