A introduction to public policy ` activity From the time you woke up until this time, list down public

policies you encountered/experienced on the way to the school some uses word POLICY As specific proposals or programs  As decisions of government  As formal authorization  As output or as outcome  Some important characteristics A policy is larger than one decision, or the moment of choice.  It involves an interaction of different stakeholders.  Involves action as well as inaction.  Have outcomes which may or may not have been foreseen.  Purposive course of action  Arises from a process over time.  Involves a key, but not exclusive, role for public agencies.   Public policy  Purpose: resolve or prevent a public problem  Target: control behavior  Source: public authorities  Manifestation: laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, memoranda CITIZEN + PUBLIC POLICY Beyond elections  day to day governance

 Information (i.e. know the pertinent issues, know which branch does what)  Demand accountability from representatives  Provide inputs, do not leave them alone

 POLITICS is too IMPORTANT to be left to politicians alone 

Project Citizen and the Policymaking Process

Project Citizen takes kids out of the world of orderly boxes and precise diagrams and into the universe of issues and policies that float in and out of the policymaking arena. In short, Project Citizen is intended as a hands-on description of what comes out of the political process. Its not particularly neat, but it is an approach to explaining how political life really works.

 Focus on Public Policy

- M. Fischer, 2006

 Since Project Citizen aims to train our students in how the government works, we have to look into what government does in terms of public policy formulation and implementation.  The Concept of Civil Society

 That organized group of society that works for a defined public interest  Usually non-stock, non-profit organizations; Synonymous with nongovernmental organizations and other sectoral organizations  Their advocacies range from the environment, womens rights, anti-crime, youth, peace, community development, and many other public interest issues
Public policy solution Community problem

Civil So

The LGU allots a portion of the city budget for find a food fortification program

Poor families in the community are suffering from malnutrition

Members of the Rotary Clu to provide food for the nee

The garbage in the barangay is piling up in street corners

The number of petty crimes such as snatching has been going up

 

Public policy solution

Community problem

Stray dogs in the barangay have been increasing

Jeepney drivers are ignoring school zone signs and keep on driving at high speeds in the area

School- aged children are out on the streets late at night

PROBLEM Discuss the issue/s: what is the problem? Brainstorm about possible solutions Propose a public policy solution (as opposed to simply putting out a stand against the problems) As a group, write a letter to a government official to endorse that solution