SPP Supports Training to Help Young Policy Advisors Gain New Policymaking Skills

The Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA), SPP, and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in Sando, Sweden organized a training workshop October 27 and 31, 2014 to strengthen democratic institutions, where policy professionals play a crucial role in defining the future trajectory of their countries.

The 24 competitively selected young policy advisors from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine, representing ministries, presidential administrations, and parliaments discussed topics such as the role of political advisors, shaping complex political environments, engaging internal and external stakeholders, and mastering communication and advocacy skills. As part of the training, SPP Professor of Practice Robert Templer focused his presentation on the concepts of legitimacy, accountability and participation as intrinsic aspects of the policy cycle

“Equipping the new generation of policy advisors with policymaking skills is a way to support the development and consolidation of democratic institutions," said Dr. Bernhard Knoll-Tudor, SPP's Director of Professional Development.

“As a result of this training, I grasped the complexity of the policy making process and learned to distinguish between policy and politics,” said Ms. Stela Jemna, a senior consultant in the Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova. “The skills I gained will allow me to meaningfully contribute to the development of my country’s policy agenda.”

The next training for policy advisors is scheduled to take place in fall 2015 in Kiev , Ukraine.