Lessons Learnt from Developing the 2018 - 2030 National Physical Activity Plan in Thailand
Keywords:
physical activity, plan, strategy, lesson learntAbstract
Thailand National Physical Activity Plan 2018 - 2030, the first national strategy addressing insufficient physical activity of Thai people, was developed through a cross-sectoral cooperation processes in 2015, led by the Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health. The development process took three years before being approved by the Cabinet in August 2018. This article reviewed policy process since agenda setting and policy formulation to policy adoption as well as policy content and context.
Key policy lessons were drawn from the development of the national plan. First was the identification of principles, strategic objectives and implementing mechanisms of existing international policies ensuring a comprehensive and effective national policy framework. Secondly, the engagement of all relevant stakeholders in the policy process increased the ownership and the feasibility of policy adoption despite a longer process. Lastly, capacity of central government agency and policy and strategic skills of staffs were crucial throughout all policy processes. There should be more investment in human resource management and development.
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