From October 14-16, Prof. Joey Ocon joined 36 other ASEAN scientists from the 2018/19 ASEAN Science and Technology Fellowship and three previous fellowship cycles gathered in Cebu, the Philippines, to participate in a 3-day science communication and policy advocacy workshop organized by the ASEAN Foundation with the support of ASEAN and the U.S. Government through U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The workshop aims to empower fellows and fellowship alumni alike to get better insights on how a policy is developed and to acquire the ability to influence and enhance the policy development process.
Reputable trainers and resource persons were involved to lead the workshop, and to ensure that all participants will be properly equipped with the tools to effectively engage with key stakeholders as well as a better comprehension about policy development in respective countries. The takeaways from this workshop helped the fellows for the 2018/19 Fellowship cycle to enhance their plan of actions and make their efforts in promoting science-based policymaking more impactful throughout the 1-year fellowship.
After the workshop last 16 October 2018, fellows of the 2018/19 Fellowship were facilitated to observe the 75 th Committee on Science and Technology (COST) meeting and the 8 th ASEAN – US Consultation on Science and Technology that took place from 17 – 18 October 2018 in Cebu.
By providing such opportunity, the organizers hope to enable fellows to understand better about consensus building of ASEAN as well as to provide more complete insights regarding ASEAN’s cooperation on science and technology.