Throughout the Pacific, debate on public policy issues has been somewhat limited.
We know there is a wealth of knowledge, ideas and experience already out there. We believe connecting these to the live policy debate through better communication can advance the search for practical, relevant solutions to development challenges.
The Pacific Institute of Public Policy was established under the Vanuatu Charitable Associations (Incorporation) Act [CAP.140] on 21 November, 2007 as a vehicle to stimulate and support policy making in Pacific island countries by connecting academic and technical observations with the live policy debate. The model is simple: provide an inclusive forum for debate and ensure informed participation through access to quality information in user relevant language and formats.
There is (and has been) an enormous investment by aid donors and Pacific island governments in research that is grounded in empirical evidence. However key messages from academic and technical observations often fail to reach national decision-makers. In establishing PiPP we recognised the scope to build research capacities within governments and civil society organisations and ensure that conversation on pressing policy issues engage local communities.
Since setting up the PiPP office in Port Vila in January 2008, and travelling and meeting a range of government, donor, NGO, academic and private sector stakeholders from across the Pacific we have received overwhelming support for and willingness to participate in activities to address these gaps. The level of support for the PiPP approach is most evident with the broad representation on the PiPP Advisory Council.
The Advisory Council has been central to our early success and provides advice to the Board and management on issues of strategic and policy importance, including setting research and policy priorities. Members of the Advisory Council are called upon to provide peer review and support and academic members provide support to our Pacific research intern/fellowship program. Members of the Advisory Council are also invited to contribute opinion or research pieces for distribution through the PiPP network.
It is both necessary and desirable for PiPP to work in partnership. Again, the simplicity of our model ensures we don’t try to replicate the work of others. For example, by working with the media, community based organisations, churches and different levels of government we can engage with wider audiences. By working in partnership with established research bodies we do not seek to re-invent the wheel. While we are well placed to conduct relevant research, we see our role as primarily communicating research outcomes. Effective communication comes from active involvement in the research process and not as a stand alone event that is contracted out, and often as an after thought.
