Public Policy And Economic Decision Making Training Course: Shaping A Better Future

Introduction:

Effective public policy is essential for addressing society's most pressing challenges, from economic inequality and climate change to healthcare access and education reform. This Public Policy and Economic Decision Making training course equips you with the frameworks and tools to understand the policy-making process and apply economic principles to inform sound decisions. You'll explore policy analysis techniques, learn how to evaluate policy options, and understand the political and social context in which policies are made. This course empowers you to contribute to the development of effective and impactful public policies.

Target Audience:

This course is designed for professionals and individuals interested in shaping public policy and improving decision-making. The target audience includes:

• Government officials and policymakers
• Public administrators and managers
• Policy analysts and researchers
• NGO staff working on policy issues
• Anyone seeking to understand the policy-making process

Course Objectives:

Upon completion of this Public Policy and Economic Decision Making training course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the policy-making process, from agenda setting to policy implementation and evaluation.
• Apply economic principles and frameworks to analyze public policy issues.
• Evaluate policy options using cost-benefit analysis, cost-effectiveness analysis, and other analytical tools.
• Consider the political and social context in which policies are made.
• Analyze the impact of public policies on different stakeholders.
• Develop and communicate policy recommendations effectively.
• Understand the role of evidence and data in informing policy decisions.
• Critically evaluate policy proposals and arguments.
• Contribute to informed policy discussions and debates.
• Improve their decision-making skills in the context of public policy.

Duration

5 Days

Course Content

Module 1: Introduction to Public Policy and Economic Decision Making

• What is public policy? Defining the field and its scope.
• The role of government in society: Providing public goods, addressing externalities, and promoting social welfare.
• The policy-making process: From agenda setting to policy evaluation.
• Course overview: Structure, learning objectives, and assessment methods.

Module 2: Policy Analysis Frameworks

• Policy analysis: Defining the problem, identifying objectives, and evaluating options.
• Models and frameworks for policy analysis: Rational choice, institutionalism, and advocacy coalition framework.
• Stakeholder analysis: Identifying and analyzing the interests of different stakeholders.
• Ethical considerations in policy analysis.

Module 3: Economic Principles for Policy Analysis

• Microeconomic principles: Supply and demand, market equilibrium, and market failures.
• Macroeconomic principles: Economic growth, inflation, unemployment, and fiscal policy.
• Cost-benefit analysis: Evaluating the costs and benefits of policy options.
• Cost-effectiveness analysis: Comparing the cost per unit of outcome for different options.

Module 4: Policy Evaluation

• The importance of policy evaluation: Assessing the effectiveness and impact of policies.
• Evaluation designs: Randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental designs, and non-experimental approaches.
• Data collection and analysis for policy evaluation.
• Communicating evaluation results to stakeholders.

Module 5: The Political Context of Policy Making

• Political institutions and their influence on policy decisions.
• Interest groups and lobbying: Their role in shaping policy outcomes.
• Political parties and elections: Their impact on policy agendas.
• The media and public opinion: Their influence on policy debates.

Module 6: Policy Implementation

• Implementation challenges: Bureaucracy, coordination, and resource constraints.
• Implementation strategies: Top-down vs. bottom-up approaches.
• Monitoring and evaluation of policy implementation.
• Building capacity for effective policy implementation.

Module 7: Policy Communication and Advocacy

• Communicating policy recommendations effectively: Writing policy briefs and reports.
• Advocacy strategies: Influencing policymakers and the public.
• Building coalitions and engaging with stakeholders.
• The role of communication in shaping policy outcomes.

Module 8: Policy Design and Formulation

• Defining policy problems and objectives.
• Generating policy alternatives: Brainstorming, research, and stakeholder input.
• Analyzing policy options: Cost-benefit analysis, cost-effectiveness analysis, and other tools.
• Selecting the best policy option: Considering feasibility, effectiveness, and equity.

Module 9: Budgeting and Public Finance

• Government budgeting: Revenue and expenditure planning.
• Fiscal policy: The use of government spending and taxation to influence the economy.
• Public debt and deficit management.
• Budgetary processes and institutions.

Module 10: Regulation and Regulatory Policy

• The rationale for regulation: Market failures, externalities, and consumer protection.
• Types of regulation: Economic regulation and social regulation.
• Regulatory impact analysis: Assessing the costs and benefits of regulation.
• Regulatory reform and deregulation.

Module 11: Policy Challenges and Emerging Issues

• Addressing complex policy challenges: Climate change, poverty, inequality, and healthcare.
• The role of technology and innovation in policy making.
• Global policy issues: International cooperation and development.
• Ethical considerations in public policy.

Module 12: The Future of Public Policy and Economic Decision Making

• Trends in public policy: Evidence-based policy making, adaptive governance, and citizen engagement.
• The changing role of government in the 21st century.
• The future of public policy education and training.
• Career paths in public policy and related fields.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 7 working days before commencement of the training.