Workshop on Policy Analysis and Decision-Making with Emphasis on Chronic Noncommunicable Diseases

(Bridgetown, Barbados, 15–17 October 2007)

Documentation (PDF): Agenda
General Information
List of Participants
Presentations (PowerPoint PDF)
1. Chronic Noncommunicable Diseases in the Caribbean: An Update
2. WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control: Situation in the Region of the Americas |  espaņol
3. Economics and Health: An Introduction to Economic Evaluation
4. Steps in the Preparation of One Study
5. The Economic Impact of Obesity
6. Public Policy Perspectives
7. The Analysis of Public Problems
8. Products of the Analysis
9. Agenda-Setting
10. Policy Options
11. Policy Adoption and Implementation
12. Policy Monitoring and Evaluation: Instruments of Public Accountability
13. Strategic Thinking and Anticipatory Approaches: Focus on Scenarios as Tools for Learning about the Future

Contact Persons
At the EEC Offices in Barbados:
Xysta Edmunds, Shirley Alleyne
At PAHO Headquarters in Washington, DC: Cristina Puentes-Markides, Health Systems Strengthening, Health Policy and Systems Unit

- CARMEN Page
- CARMEN Newsletter
- Noncommunicable Disease Unit

An introduction to public policy analysis, policy development, implementation, and evaluation aimed at high-level policy- and decision-makers; hosted by the PAHO/WHO Office for the Eastern Caribbean Countries (ECC) as a joint activity of the CARMEN Policy Observatory and the CARMEN School

Goal: To enhance the skills and competencies of the participants in these fields of knowledge and practice as analysts and advisors. The concepts and methods shared were applicable to different levels of government; and while the emphasis was on chronic noncommunicable diseases, they were also germane to the design of public health policies in general. The stimulation of critical thinking and policy argumentation figured as a core element to the production and delivery of policy recommendations and advice to policy-makers. Yet the topics also highlighted the relevance of agenda-setting in turbulent and complex political environments, models of implementation and evaluation, strategic thinking and foresight and—to a minor degree—policy change through advocacy. The instruments of economic evaluation were showcased as critical tools for policy analysis.

Learning Objectives

At the end of the workshop it is expected that the participants will:

• Be familiar with general concepts of design, implementation and evaluation of public policy, including the roles played by politics, evidence and rationality in the decision-making process.
• Have enhanced their abilities to critically conceptualize policy problems, generate policy alternatives and provide effective advise to decision-makers.
• Be acquainted with economic evaluation (cost-effectiveness analysis, cost benefit analysis and impact evaluation) as a critical tool for policy analysis.
• Recognize the relevance of strategic thinking, foresight and better peripheral vision to optimize analysis, design and implementation.
• Understand the applicability of policy tools for the prevention and control of chronic noncommunicable diseases.

Approach: Participants from 10 countries of the Eastern Caribbean will meet. The sessions will include short presentations as introductions to various topics, dialogue, space for discussion, and a working group.

Bibliography: The EEC Coordinating Office will make available to the participants all the documents included in the reading list in CD-ROM format and/or hard copy. The selection of bibliographic material carefully considered the quality, thematic relevance, diversity of theoretical perspectives, disciplines and potential contributions to the goals of the workshop. Considering the breath of the topics and the short duration of the workshop, the recommended readings are marked with an asterisk. This set of materials will also serve as future reference for the participants.