Policies, institutions and governance all matter greatly for development. In particular, policies that shape and influence how a country governs itself, how it promotes and pursues inclusive economic growth, and how it seeks to reduce poverty all play a critical role in determining ultimate development outcomes. While many factors are beyond the control of small developing states, these states can control the types of policies they adopt; how they design, implement, monitor, and review policies; and how policy makers engage with their citizens on important public policy issues.
The Pacific Institute of Public Policy (PiPP) recently concluded a pilot study with a focus on public policy processes in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the Republic of Palau (Palau). Through a consultative assessment, this study has helped to identify existing strengths and weaknesses and points to a series of concrete strategies to improve the quality and effectiveness of policy functions, processes, and systems.
While each country had their own policy, governance and development challenges, stakeholders in the study recognised the importance of continuing the regional dialogue on strengthening public policy processes and agreed to the establishment of an informal Micronesian Policy Network to be facilitated through PiPP.
Through this network, and with support from PiPP and other partners, it is hoped that policy makers, implementers and influencers in RMI, FSM and Palau can pursue some of the ideas and strategies identified in the pilot study.
PiPP believes that if island leaders possess the political vision and will, then many good ideas can immediately be pursued.
