Do we create evidence-based policies? Is the evidence credible and could we rely on it? Is citizen consultation a starting point in creating credible public policy documents? How to generate positive examples of inclusion of people with disabilities in politics? Can we bring public policies closer to young people, who are the bearers of positive change?
These issues were discussed at the online conference “Are we creating evidence-based policies?” within the project “Support for Electoral Reform”.
The participants were greeted by Joana Kosma, Director of IFES and Marija Krstevska, President of the NYCM, who congratulated the two generations of the Academy of Public Policy on their achievements and the completed program. They also expressed their gratitude to their coaches and mentors, who were supportive of the youth from the political parties and concluded that young people from both urban and rural areas are able to express their views and fight to hear the voice of the coming generations.
Through thorough research, effective policy-making decisions can be made. As Professor Veli Kreci, from the Faculty of Contemporary Social Sciences at SEEU University and Director of the Max van der Stuhl Institute, pointed out, only through research and in constant contact with the citizens, real problems can be detected and through various instruments and models can be record whether they are credible evidence.
The Centers for Research and Analysis in political parties also have a great role in creating public policies based on evidence, which by using tools such as measuring ratings, conducting surveys, comparative analyzes … can summarize credible information.
Enes Limani, a participant in the first generation of the Academy for Public Policy (TBC), spoke about how evidence-based policies affect a party’s program, noting that today citizens are far more aware than ever before. They no longer believe in phrases, they want their demands to be heard and their problems in the community to be solved. They insist on a specific political offer, which contains a program that touches the citizens.
One of the burning issues is the inclusion of people with disabilities in politics. In order to raise awareness in our country for people with disabilities, which are most often used only as pre-election weapons, and are stigmatized in everyday life, more frequent public debates and discussions should be held. Lidiya Gorgevik, external implementer of the Innovation Initiative, said that it is necessary to point out positive examples from the world for the inclusion of these people. Greater cooperation and discussion is needed between the political parties in the country on this topic, videos that will include people with disabilities in which their voice is heard, visual motivational messages, development of web pages…
Citizens’ consultation is the starting point in creating credible public policy documents by organizing workshops, focus groups and constant communication, especially with the young population.
Young people are the bearers of change. Only through continuous information, mutual interaction and communication can they be informed about topics of community importance and finally create useful policy documents is the conclusion of this discussion.
