QU’s Sesri conducts workshop on ‘Project Design for Policy Influence’

Qatar University’s (QU) Social and Economic Survey Research Institute (Sesri) and the United Nations (UN) Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) conducted a workshop on Sunday on ‘Project Design for Policy Influence.’The participants from academia, government, and the private sector, discussed means to improve the design of projects and government interventions to influence policy changes in countries.Sesri director Prof Kaltham al-Ghanim, explained that the objective was to provide a hands-on training and guide to policy researchers and entrepreneurs on the step-by-step process of designing and implementing a policy intervention to influence policy action."Particularly, this training course aims to illustrate best practice approach to designing policy interventions, using results-based management principles with best behavioral science insights.”Dr Mariam al-Hammadi, from the Department of Humanities at QU, emphasised the workshop's significance in policy-making and addressing gaps during the development of various projects. She stressed the importance of using appropriate policy applications, both for existing policies and those intended by policymakers, and persuading stakeholders of the importance of development in various projects.Dr Tahra El-Obeid, from the College of Health Sciences at QU, stated that the workshop equipped participants with both theoretical and practical tools for designing policies for various projects and applying them in the practical field of teaching. The workshop also addressed various challenges in project management and provided suitable strategies for overcoming those issues.Dr Hassan Husain, from the Food Security Department at the Ministry of Municipality, emphasised the importance of the workshop in planning projects related to food security. The focus was on using more precise and modern mechanisms in dealing with the various project managements."The course was a tremendous success, and thoroughly enjoyed by all who took part,” said ESCWA Programme Management Officer Riwa Nasreddine. "It was great to have the opportunity to deliver this workshop in partnership with Sesri,” she added.