Final Report: Improving Policy Proposal Drafting Skills of Joint Policy Forum

The JPF's primary objective is to produce analyses of existing policies and prepare proposals for new policies when necessary, as well as analyze and draft proposals on other important topics and phenomena of common interest to the HJPC and MoJ, or the entire justice sector. The JPF does not have legislative authority, but it may develop policy proposals on behalf of the justice institutions it represents. In providing support to the JPF in conducting policy analysis, Component 2 of the Justice Sector Development Project II (JSDP II) organized policy development trainings for its representatives from the MoJ and HJPC, as well as other institutions implementing the Bosnia and Herzegovina Justice Sector Reform Strategy 2008-2012 (JSRS). A consultant was retained to conduct a workshop for the JPF in January 2011 to assist in defining their values and objectives, improving their analytical skills, and developing a protocol for policy analysis. The workshop introduced conceptual issues and went through the steps for developing public policy. Participants tested a hypothetical application of the protocol, reducing backlogs in the courts, and learned to analyze the policy proposals of other organizations and institutions. The consultant conducted a second workshop in June 2011, which focused on improving the skills of the JPF and other justice institutions in policy analysis and writing policy proposals. The workshop was attended by representatives from the HJPC Secretariat, the BiH MoJ, the entity MoJs, and the Judicial Commission of Brcko District. The consultant used a problem-solving approach to policy analysis, which involves identifying a social problem, analyzing the problem, and finding solutions to change the behaviors causing the problem. The workshop materials included a concept paper for policy development, a power point presentation, an agenda, a worksheet for analyzing social problems and finding solutions, and a one-page format for drafting a policy proposal. The consultant also provided excerpts from the Uniform Rules for Drafting Legislation (the Drafting Code) relating to policy development. The JPF selected the topic of developing a unified system for preparing, approving, and executing budgets for courts and prosecutors' offices in the BiH Federation as the focus of the workshop. This topic is regarded as a priority by the justice sector in BiH and has been an unresolved issue for many years. The consultant worked on the workshop materials and met with JSDP II staff in preparation for the workshop. The workshop was held in Fojnica on June 16 and 17, 2011, and was attended by representatives from the HJPC Secretariat, the BiH MoJ, the entity MoJs, and the Judicial Commission of Brcko District. The consultant used a step-by-step problem-solving approach to policy analysis, which involves identifying a social problem, analyzing the problem, and finding solutions to change the behaviors causing the problem. The participants learned how to apply a systematic methodology for identifying a social problem, analyzing the problem, and finding solutions to change the behaviors causing the problem. The JPF's policy development process involves identifying societal objectives to be achieved, describing the manifestation of the social problem, identifying who is causing the problem, and analyzing the behaviors that result in the manifestation of the problem. The participants were asked to consider seven factors when analyzing the behaviors causing the social problem, including laws or regulations that contribute to the problem. The JPF's policy proposals will be developed using a systematic methodology for identifying a social problem, analyzing the problem, and finding solutions to change the behaviors causing the problem. The proposals will be based on a thorough analysis of the social problem, including the identification of the causes of the problem and the behaviors that result in the manifestation of the problem. The JPF's policy proposals will be developed in a way that is consistent with European standards for legislative drafting and will provide a clear and concise analysis of the social problem and the proposed solutions.