Postgraduate Student Association of FPH UI Holds Policy Brief Writing Training

Tuesday, May 2, 2023, the Postgraduate Student Association (HMP) Faculty of Public Health (FPH) Universitas Indonesia (UI) held a Policy Brief Writing Training. This training was held online and was attended by more than 190 participants from various groups such as students, academics, and the public.

This training is an effort to encourage the creation of evidence-based policies. “Public problems are not only resolved internally by stakeholders but can also be resolved scientifically through an evidence-based approach. That is why today’s training was held,” said Head of HMP FPH UI, Saidah Fatimah Sari Simanjuntak, S.K.M., in her remarks.

The first material regarding the basis for writing a Policy Brief was presented by a Lecturer in the Health Administration and Policy Department of FPH UI, Dr. Ede Surya Darmawan, S.K.M., M.K.M. “The preparation of a policy brief cannot be separated from a policy review. For example, in the drafting of the health bill which abolished 9 (nine) existing laws. If it is considered problematic, then a solution must be presented, one of which is in the form of a Policy Brief,” said Dr. Ed. Overall, the material presented covers the process of making policies, basic understanding of policies, reasons for carrying out policy reviews, as well as how to write a Policy Brief.

After discussing the theory, the speaker then discussed its application in the field of public health. Exposure starts from various forms of policy communication which include oral and written. The Policy Brief itself is a form of policy in written form. Policy analysis can also produce 3 (three) types of outputs, namely Policy Papers addressed to policy specialists; Policy Brief which is non-technical in nature and addressed to decision makers; as well as a more concise Policy Memo aimed at decision makers. “The policy brief is expected to be critical and constructive, can be implemented, not normative, not macro, but clear. That is the essence of the policy brief. Don’t let us be confined to writing that is normative in nature,” said the Young Expert Researcher at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Mario Ekoriano, S.Si., M.Sc.

The seminar, which was held online, received good enthusiasm from the large number of participants who attended. It is hoped that the participants will be able to create good and impactful policy briefs. (BK)