CPPG in collaboration with Pakistan Administrative Services-Civil Services Academy, worked on developing a research course module for the CSA’s 3rd Specialized Component of the 32^nd Mid-Career Management Course. The research module was held in the form of workshops focusing on public policy challenges under the Sustainable Development Goals.   The objective of the module was to provide the officers with an understanding of evidence-based policy making through a practical approach to data collection, analysis, policy critique and research writing. The workshops were held from December to January, during which officers deliberated on actionable solutions to achieving sustainable development in Pakistan–the final output was the publication of policy briefs that illustrated the significance of data-driven evidence-based policy making as a vital strategy for public administration and project design.

Instructors and officers collaboratively working on their briefs, at PAS campus.

To conclude the first round of the collaboration,  CPPG and PAS launchedthree Policy Briefs on Thursday, 19^th May: These are titled as follows:

• Good Health and Well Being: Achieving Sustainable Development Through Adaptive Public Healthcare Policies;
• Sustainability of Lahore: How can the city meet its SDG 11 targets?
• Street Vending: Secure Livelihoods and Sustainable Cities.

Each policy brief explored a particular development challenge under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and gave policy recommendations in the form of location-based solutions that reflected the experiences of the CPPG Faculty and the PAS officers. 

Dr.Saeed Shafaqat, Mr. Omer Rasool, and Dr. Amjad Saqib, at launch of briefs at FCCU

The prominent speakers of the event were, Mr. Omer Rasool, Director General CSA, and his colleagues including Additional Directors Mr. Muhammad Bilal Akram and Ms. Ammara Khattak that lead the collaboration. The CPPG faculty was steered by Founding Director CPPG, Dr. Saeed Shafqat and his team Mr. Raheem ul Haque, Dr. Rabia Chaudhry and Ms. Saba Shahid. Dr. Amjad Saqib, Founder and Executive Director Akhuwat Foundation, was the Chief Guest.

The event proceeded with the presentations of the briefs, along with notable remarks from Mr. Rasool, Dr. Shafaqat, Dr. Addleton and Dr. Saqib.

Mr. Rasool spoke about the need to adopt innovative and non-traditional methods to the training of bureaucrats as this will ensure the officer’s career development remains relevant to the demands of public administration. Dr. Shafqat spoke about the need for sustained communication and collaboration between academia and the bureaucracy, which is necessary for policy-making to be responsive and up to date with the latest research. Policymakers must develop a culture of relying on credible data and analysis–hence the need to sustain links with academia.

Dr. Jonathan Addleton, Rector FCCU gave the closing remarks and commended CPPG’s continued efforts in the domain of informing decision makers. The Centre has effectively completed a number of collaborative projects ranging from local government empowerment, migration and urbanization, and social welfare, to public health and digital governance. This is part of FCCU’s commitment to contribute positively to the community and work towards creating an environment of open discussion and debate.

Dr. Saqib, also gave some concluding remarks. While appreciating the needed engagement between academics and civil servants—he added that civil society organizations must also be involved in such dialogues and deliberations. Similarly the output of these events, including Policy Briefs, should be able to reach the masses through Urdu translations of these publications. This is necessary to ensure development processes are participatory. Other participants included students, faculty members, government officials and civil service trainers.

For those interested in reading the published policy briefs, these are available at CPPG and at the CSA Campus. Soft copies can also be obtained through request.

Event covered by Neha Malik