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AREAS OF FOCUS The SARA Project works to identify social-sector issues of regional concern in Africa and participates in research, analysis, dissemination, advocacy, and policy monitoring activities related to these issues. Research and Analysis As part of the research process, the SARA project focuses on identifying priority issues for research and analysis, based on the Africa Bureau’s comparative advantage. SARA ensures that African experts and partners are involved in all aspects of the issues identification process and produces issues papers on emerging areas of interest. SARA provides technical support to African institutions to develop research methods and to conduct and produce quality research and analysis. SARA, in collaboration with other AED projects and partners, develops and field-tests tools to improve training courses and technical programs. Dissemination and Advocacy SARA improves access to information through targeted repackaging activities and active dissemination. The project stresses multi-channel dissemination using both traditional and innovative strategies. SARA maintains targeted mailing lists, repackages documents for non-technical audiences, maintains the web content for AFR/SD, and uses electronic means and existing publications to promote and distribute its information. SARA has developed a monitoring system to track publications, audiences, and use. SARA promotes Africa-based dissemination activities and provides technical assistance to existing African regional institutions and information centers to expand their activities and to develop advocacy strategies to reach policy makers and program planners with the findings from these materials. Advocacy is an important focus in SARA’s work. The project’s advocacy strategy involves training regional institutions in advocacy, developing and testing advocacy tools including computer models and transferring advocacy training skills to African institutions to ensure that relevant information is promoted and used by decision makers to make informed decisions. With AFR/SD and other partners, SARA develops advocacy materials on key issues and joins with African partners to advocate for policy changes around areas of strategic interest. Policy Formulation and Monitoring The SARA paper, Knowledge Utilization and the Process of Policy Formulation reviewed the process of policy change and identified three streams of activity necessary to produce changes in policies and programs. The project uses this conceptual framework to facilitate a context for policy change throughout Africa. SARA supports policy dialogue by supporting forums to debate key issues and by developing and promoting tools. SARA publications contribute sound evidence for these processes. SARA is currently working with regional institutions in East and southern Africa to develop a policy monitoring initiative, including some capacity building for monitoring policies in key areas. |
