October 30th, 2011

Strategy of ISEA for the implementation of reforms in the Czech Republic and public activities of its members, in particular in connection with the reform of the educational system, is what OECD exports refer to as “political economy of reform”. Mastering this strategy is considered to be the key condition of successful reform. Political economy of reform is nothing else than the ability to communicate long-term positive effects of the reform to politicians, interest groups and the public, and thus overcome prevailing short-term perspectives, which are usually dominated by negative effects related to the initial costs (sacrifices) of a reform.

Project work of the experts of ISEA is therefore based on creation of evidence for setting optimal parameters of the reform (research, simulation methods) and preparation of coordinated influence on all key players so that the individual proposals of the reform steps find as little resistance as possible. That is a task, which is beyond standard project management. In this sense members of ISEA, as a part of “Individual National Project” at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, prepared plan for implementation of the reform of financial aid to students. This work method of ISEA members was evaluated by the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic as an example of good practice of involving the public in the preparation of government documents.

In accordance with this concept of political economy of reform ISEA founded Platform of Personalities Supporting Reforms (POPSR), where parallel to strategic coordination of individual reform steps carried out by the expert team, this platform can also systematically influence all target and interest groups towards creating the best possible conditions for accepting the main principles of the reform by internal and external stakeholders, including the political representation. Activities of well known personalities within this platform, with their experience and influence on the public opinion and key players, are crucial for successful implementation of reforms. You can find more about POPSR on page 14.

Think-tank ISEA is actively involved in the preparation of government documents and commenting process. The members of ISEA do this indirectly by appearing in media, but also directly as members of work groups for the Government, NERV work groups, as ministerial advisors. Members of ISEA are also consultants for non-governmental organizations included in a database managed by the Ministry of the Interior.

ISEA therefore in all these aspects follows its motto: Freedom is the possibility to participate in defining our world – let us define our world then”. The task of ISEA consultants is to give feedback to the state’s administration, practical experience, point our new solutions, possible problems, which could hinder the chosen solution etc. By being included in the database of consulting organizations of the MI CR think-tank ISEA expressed its willingness to cooperate with the state in the preparation of regulation, i.e. legislation and other tools regulating the rights and duties of citizens and organizations. Consultations given by experts from ISEA are one of the tools for improving the quality of regulation.