Sida’s global research programmes

6.2 Examples of Influence on Policy or Practices

In this section, the impact and potential influence by members of ISP-supported groups and networks on policy, legislation and practices are given. The entries are given essentially as reported to ISP, and are listed countrywise and then according to ISP research/network code. Possible international influence, such as on global conventions, is listed at the end of the section.
Bangladesh (Food Security)

The Group Leader and Chairperson of the Dept. Chemistry, Univ. Dhaka, Prof. Nilufar Nahar, acted as a convener in the writing of Safe Food Guidelines for Agricultural Products (Ministry of Agriculture, Government of Bangladesh). (IPICS BAN:04)

Prof. Nilufar Nahar wrote the Guidelines for the Chemical Contaminants in Food, Ministry of Food, GOB. (IPICS BAN:04)
Prof. Nilufar Nahar suggested to make the Formalin Control Act by the Ministry of Commerce, GOB. The Act has been passed by the Parliament in 2014. (IPICS BAN:04)

Burkina Faso (Food Security)

CRSBAN at Univ. Ouagadougou was invited to be a member of the National Piloting Committee on the Management of the Safety and Quality of Foodstuff, sponsored by the EU. (IPICS RABiotech)

The Office of NESTLE in Burkina Faso signed a contract with CRSBAN to pilot a national project in primary schools in Burkina Faso on the behalf of the Minister of National Education. The theme of this project is “Healthy Kids” in schools. The President of R.A.BIOTECH, Prof. Alfred S. TRAORE, is the President of the Committee Board. (IPICS RABiotech)
CRSBAN is regularly invited by the Minster of Health to approve the National Policy of Health-Nutrition. It is an official member of the National Counselor of Nutrition in Burkina Faso. (IPICS RABiotech)
CRSBAN supports the development of food industry in Burkina Faso with its expertise, proposing manu-facturing schemes of e.g. weaning foods and quality control of food products. (IPICS RABiotech)
(Climate change)

Involvement with the government and Ouagadougou city has resulted in the publication “Climate change and urban vulnerability in Africa: Ouagadougou case study”. This has given an impact on the city governance taking to account the climate change issue. (IPMS BURK:01)

Ethiopia (Scientific instrumentation)

Prof. Wendimagegn Mammo participated in a Workshop on National Science Equipment Policy for Ethiopia, at the Headquarters of the Ethiopian Acad. Sci., Addis Ababa, 3-4 April. (IPICS ETH:01)

(Seismology, Natural Hazards)

A draft seismic hazard map of Ethiopia and the region at large has been produced. This map has been submitted to the Ministry of Urban Development and Construction and will be used as a major input for the new building code in the country. (IPPS ETH:02)

The seismicity map is also used to prove that the site of the Great Ethiopian Renaissance dam is located in an earthquake free zone, which is used to smooth diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and Egypt to ease tension as the dam is being built across the Blue Nile River. (IPPS ETH:02)
Kenya (Applied mathematics)

Research results have influenced policy in the following areas: Fighting spread of malaria in Kenya and the East African region; Vaccination of livestock and small animals; and Claims reserving in the insurance business. (IPMS EAUMP)

(Air quality)

Nairobi sources of air pollution were identified through analysis of data observed over the period 2008 to 2010. The studies are an important resource for policy makers in Kenya and Nairobi County to base their decisions in enacting regulations for air pollution control. (IPPS KEN:01/2)

Kenya National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) used information on air pollution status in Kenya, published by INST, in a review paper presented to the Kenya government by Mr. Wanjohi Mwai of NEMA on the poor state of air quality in urban Kenya. (IPPS KEN:01/2)
Study results on urban air quality have contributed to draft air pollution regulations by NEMA. (IPPS KEN:01/2)
(Nuclear safety)

David Maina, INST Director, as member of the Kenya Nuclear Electricity Board (KNEB), Ministry of Energy, and the Petroleum and Radiation Protection Boards at Ministry of Health, contributes to the government policy on radiation and Kenya’s strategy for development of nuclear electricity generation. In Jan. 2014, with seven nuclear physicists (of which five from Sweden) and safety experts, INST had a meeting with the executive chairman of KNEB and his executive officers, to discuss safety and timeline precautions in the process of implementing and operating nuclear power facilities. (IPPS KEN:01/2)

(Water resources)

Bondo Sub County Government Officials have been involved in a water purification project conducted by the research group at Dept Physics, Univ. Nairobi. The work has resulted in a policy brief, which has been released. The work has led to entering into an agreement with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, and they will sign an MOU with the Department of Water. (IPPS KEN:01/2)

(Renewable Energy)

Group members participated in functions by National Industrial Training Authority and Kenya Renewable Energy Association, two key organisations that implement or influence policy. (IPPS KEN:02)

(Higher education policy)

Prof. Mghendi Mwamburi, Group Leader and Director of Strategic Planning and Performance Contracting at the University of Eldoret, played a pivotal role in the development and launch of the university’s 5-year strategic plan, service charter and several university wide policies. (IPPS KEN:03)

Uganda (Applied mathematics)

The results of the links with industry have closed the gap between academia and industry. At curriculum reviews, stakeholders are involved. This has guided the Ministry of Education on to which products Government should channel university tuition loans. (IPMS EAUMP)

Zimbabwe (Legal practice)

AiBST has been invited to make presentations on the Admissibility of DNA evidence in court as part of the efforts of the Ministry of Justice and Parliamentary Affairs to revise the statutes of the criminal procedures. (IPICS AiBST)

AiBST has been invited to make presentations to a consortium of legal and activist groups working to address the challenge of sexual violence and abuse. (IPICS AiBST)
(Water resources)

Two group members were invited by the City Council of Bulawayo to participate in a committee set up to investigate the state of water pollution of the city of Bulawayo. (IPICS ZIM:02)

Global (Chemicals safety)

Members of the network, Juma, W.D., Madadi, V., Wafula, G. & Wandiga, S., participated in the meeting 10-12 Nov. in Geneva of the Coordination Group for the Global Monitoring Plan for Persistent Organic Pollutants within the Stockholm Convention. (IPICS ANCAP)