Background and Overview:
In many developing countries, the practice of public policy advocacy remains challenging. While many
CIPE partners – from business associations to think tanks - are exercising newfound freedoms to debate,
critique, and propose policy alternatives, others exist in areas where the idea of a participatory
democracy is new and the role of the private sector as an engine of good public policy is not fully
understood or appreciated.
Through coordinated public advocacy efforts, the private sector can contribute its experiences and
resources to the ongoing policymaking process for the benefit of its members and the community as a whole.
However, when governments do not engage civil society, laws and regulations are often made without insight
from those closest to the issues. Truly successful public advocacy efforts do not just ameliorate immediate problems; they help transform the relationship between the public and private sectors from one of antagonism and distrust to one of partnership and cooperation. When the private sector begins to bring solutions as
well as concerns to the government - often through business associations or chambers of commerce - they
become an invaluable resource for policymakers.
CIPE produces a number of proven advocacy tools such as the National Business Agenda (NBA) Guidebook and
supports partner-led legislative advisory programs to help business leaders, professional organizations,
and other interested parties come together, address issues of concern, identify common interests, and
ultimately develop proposed solutions.
By providing policymakers with key economic information and analysis,
associations, think tanks, and other
private sector organizations can ensure that government
officials address real economic needs and concerns
based upon information from the sectors actually affected
by the laws and regulations. As these
organizations gain the tools to advocate effectively,
they become better equipped to help build stable
political systems that are responsive to citizens’ needs.
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Program and Resources
Private sector representatives participate in an Afghanistan International Chamber of Commerce sponsored public-policy roundtable in Jalalabad.
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