Can Evidence and Voice Influence Policy? A Critical Assessment of Nepal's Forestry Sector Strategy, 2014

Sammanfattning

This article examines Nepal's recently prepared Forestry Sector Strategy (FSS) (as of 2014) in terms of the use of scientific evidence and the quality of stakeholder participation. By reviewing the content and analyzing the context of its development during 2012-2014, we found that the transitional politics and overt influence of international development agencies dominated the process and content of the FSS. Although the FSS was developed through a significant stakeholder engagement, there was limited use of the available scientific evidence. The FSS was narrowly conceived as a deliverable of supporting aid programs, with limited demand for a politically meaningful policy processes. While civil society groups were consulted, they largely failed to present an independent voice due to their dependence on funding agencies. Our assessment calls for rethinking policy development in a way that facilitates assertive and independent participation by a range of actors and make better use of the available research.

Nyckelord

community forestry, development, evidence-based policy, foreign aid, policy process

Publicerad i

Society and Natural Resources
2016, volym: 29, nummer: 3, sidor: 357-373

SLU författare

• Khatri, Dil

  • Institutionen för stad och land, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet
    
  • ForestAction Nepal

Associerade SLU-program

Framtidens skogar (tom Jan 2017)
Skog
SLU Future Forests

Globala målen (SDG)

SDG5 Jämställdhet

UKÄ forskningsämne

Tvärvetenskapliga studier

Publikationens identifierare

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/08941920.2015.1122851

Permanent länk till denna sida (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/81120