AEGiS-15IAC: The policy circle.

15th International AIDS Conference

Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

The policy circle.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. E10199)

Clark BY, Hardee K, Feranil I, Boezwinkle J
Futures Group, Washington, DC, United States

BACKGROUND: Despite indications of the important role of policy in improving program outcomes, policy formation and change is often seen as a black box.

METHODS: This paper builds on policy theories to provide a practical framework to understand, analyze, and develop HIV/AIDS policy.

RESULTS: The six "P's" of the Policy Circle framework depict the components of policy: Problem, People/Places, Process, Price Tag, Paper, Programs/Performance. The Policy Circle can also be used to analyze different policy levels, including national and local policies, and sectoral and operational policies. Each component of the Policy Circle can be analyzed using a variety of tools. The Policy Circle is not intended to be linear or even circular, but places the problem or issue to be solved at the center. The six policy "P's" of the Policy Circle operate under the broader contextual forces of politics, society, and economics. In addition, the Policy Circle can be viewed through different lenses, specific to youth, gender, and human rights. Challenges can be found in each of the six "P's". Perhaps the problem was not well articulated through adequate policy analysis. There may have been no efforts to consult a range of stakeholders, including those who will be affected by the policy change. Perhaps the policy document were vague and required an implementation strategy. Perhaps no resources, or limited resources, were allocated for programs through which the policy could be implemented.

CONCLUSIONS: Using the Policy Circle can help identify which aspects of the policy process need to be addressed to solve an identified problem. The time each element will take will depend on the context and the issue to be addressed. Clearly, small or lower level policy changes may take a shorter period of time than larger policy changes.<IMG SRC="images/prog/E10199_IMG1.jpg" border=0>(Image: Hardee, K., I. Feranil, J. Boezwinkle, B. Clark & A. Eckman. Policy Circle Draft Paper. Washington, DC: The POLICY Project.)

Keywords: AEGIS, Public Policy, Policy Making, Politics, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Demography, Health Services Needs and Demand, Washington, Humans, economics, organization & administration, methods

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