The Globalisation and Public Policy programme was initiated in 2001. This programme aims to strengthen developing country capacity to respond to globalisation in international, regional and domestic policy arenas through the provision of analytical information. In this context, the programmes analyses how globalisation impact on the policy-making process in Southern Africa.

In 2004, the programme supported media fellowships and radio and TV discussions to help raise awareness and stimulate public debate on key environmental issues in Zambia. The media fellowships, in addition to raising public awareness, were intended to encourage the media in reporting environmental issues in an investigative and analytical manner. Two print media organisations, the Zambia Daily Mail and the Monitor & Digest, were supported in this regard to produce well-researched features on critical environmental issues in Zambia.

These activities brought under the spotlight environmental problems that Zambia generally faces. Some of these problems are as a result of high levels of poverty, insufficient foreign investment, incapacity of local authorities to deal with environmental problems and a lack of proper enforcement of the environmental legislation and policy. There was also a rekindling of interests of stakeholders in issues of environmental management. Stakeholders who participated in the radio and television discussions showed great interest in the environmental issues highlighted through the media fellowships, radio and TV discussions.

In addition to the above activities on the environment, the Public Policy and Globalisation Programme carried out a study on media coverage of trade and aid in Zambia and Mozambique. From the two studies, it was apparent that much needed to be done in terms of improving coverage. It became quite clear that shallow reporting based on ‘who said what, where and when and how much is involved’ is not the best journalism for trade and aid issues. Emphasis was placed on the need for in depth articles and analytical programs that would educate the public more on issues that shape their destinies.

In summary, the Aim and major Objectives of the Globalization and Public Policy Programme are:

1. To increase the Transparency, Accountability and Ownership of Poverty Reduction Strategies (PRSPs)
2. Strengthen the voices of Civil Society, particularly those of the Poor
3. Increase the Commitment of National Policy Makers to Transparency, Accountability and Ownership of initiatives aimed at poverty reduction or eradication
4. Increase the Commitment of Global Policy Makers
5. Strengthen the role of the Media in promoting all the above.