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 call for reorganizing methods of training programs by identifying the factors 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 training 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 challenges faced by the organizers of the training courses in redesigning them to meet the constantly changing policy environment in developing countries are presented. It is argued that there is a need for rethinking methods of training in environmental and natural resource policy analysis to meet the changing needs of policy decision-making in developing countries.