The ADEA, Working Group on Education Management and Policy Support (WGEMPS) conducted the inaugural training on policy brief development from 20th to 24th April 2015 at its offices in Harare. The purpose was to train participants in advocacy and impart writing skills for policy briefs on key educational issues related to ADEA’s work.

Twenty participants undertook the training, comprising representatives from the Kenya-led ICQNs on Peace Education and on Mathematics and Science Education, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education in Zimbabwe, the African Union, ILO, and Zimbabwean youth organizations.

The training employed a mix of lectures, Q&A sessions, group work, and homework in three key areas: use of social media, English grammar, and persuasive writing. ICT tools were integral to the training.

The participants produced high-quality policy briefs, some of which were to be published and shared with decision-makers.

The evaluation results revealed that participants highly valued the training, with one noting that it was an "eye-opener." Participants also expressed interest in follow-up sessions with increased time allocation for developing the policy briefs.