Capacity strengthening in environmental and natural resource policy analysis: Meeting the changing needs

Limited capacity for environmental and natural resource policy analysis in developing countries and the limited resources for capacity strengthening c all for reorganizing methods of training programs by identifying the factor s that would enhance their relevance in meeting the policy capacity needs. This paper, based on a case study of Malawi, aims to provide some pointers for those involved in environmental and natural resource policy analysis tr aining to generate a dialogue that may result in improved training programs . The relevance of the currently offered training courses to environmental and natural resource policy reforms is discussed. The constraints and chall enges faced by the organizers of the training courses in redesigning them t o meet the constantly changing policy environment in developing countries a re presented. It is argued that there is a need for rethinking methods of t raining in environmental and natural resource policy analysis to meet the c hanging needs of policy decision-making in developing countries. (C) 2000 A cademic Press.