Policy framework for Pastoralism in Africa

Deep engagement with CSOs will be necessary in the pastoral policy development, as these organizationscan provide necessary checks and balances on government decision-making during thedevelopment and implementation of pastoral policies. Effective opportunities for feedback anditerative processes with CSOs and other special interest groups should be allowed in the consultativeprocess. Deep engagement with such groups is likely to enrich discussions and facilitate publicacceptance and ownership of the pastoral policy. Where parliamentary review and approval isrequired to validate or legitimize the outcomes of the policy development process, it would be idealto give these and other groups the opportunity to offer additional input.5.3.4 Importance of legislative, institutional and operationalmeasures in pastoral policy developmentOfficials and experts involved in the pastoral policy development should know that this exerciserequires comprehensive legislative, institutional and operational measures to achieve decentralized,transparent, efficient and cost-effective delivery of pastoral services. Thus, reviewing and restructuringexisting institutional settings, creating entirely new institutional arrangements at local,national, regional, continental and international levels may be necessary. Public or state pastoralsector institutions could be re-structured to address problems such as scattered and restricted accessto records, poor internal communication systems, obsolete operating procedures, overlapping,conflicting and unclear mandates, duplication of efforts and responsibilities, and waste of resources.5.3.5 Ensuring availability of financial and human resourcesThe development of pastoral policies across the continent should take into account full financialand economic cost appraisals hence provide for adequate resource commitment and mobilizationfor policy development. In addition, pastoral policies should be designed, promulgated and evenlaunched with genuine concern for the human resources and other logistical requirements necessaryto carry out the process. In case existing laws and implementation mechanisms must be replacedwith new policies, new arrangements should be put in place to manage the transition. Similarly,transitional arrangements and preparations such as staff capacity building and training, publicawareness/information and communication, should always be taken into account in the policydevelopment process. These are important issues to be addressed in pastoral policy development.5.3.6 Communication plan for pastoral policy developmentPastoral policy development will require effective and robust communication through a variety ofchannels including newspapers, television messages, radio broadcasts and newsletters. Effective communicationshould be integral and crosscutting. It requires the development of a coherent strategy thattakes into account the entire policy development process. One important objective of communicationis to obtain stakeholder inputs and feedback at the launching stage of pastoral policy developmentand during implementation. This requires public education and awareness campaigns.Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are today considered the driving force ofthe global information society and knowledge-based economies. Therefore, ICTs should play asignificant role in:i. Pastoral policy development;ii. Policy implementation progress and impact tracking;44 Policy framework for Pastoralism in Africa