1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 Conclusion Emerging themes and important lessons for progressing cross-sectoral policy design and implementation: a discussion Kathy Landvogt, Jo Barraket and Gemma Carey In the introduction, we described this volume as a ‘toolbox’ of ideas, perspec- tives and strategies related to policy approaches and their translation for action. The volume is also purposefully designed to function as a conversa- tion between those from ‘inside’ and ‘outside’ the policymaking tent, and between people from policy, practice and academia (who have varying rela- tionships to policy development and implementation). In keeping with the latter, we present our reflections and conclusions on the collection as a dia- logue between the editors, who span practice and academic domains. Kathy Landvogt, a long-term policy actor from within the community sector, leads this discussion, and Jo Barraket and Gemma Carey respond from their aca- demic perspectives. Through this dialogue, we identify where problems are located, identify what questions are critical and draw out the potential solu- tions as highlighted by different chapters in this book. KATHY: My first reflection on the collection relates to the overall stance and perspectives presented, particularly that some policy actors are more equal than others. Across the continents and policy domains represented, there are mutually recognisable problems and solutions. The differences in per- spective that emerge do not reflect local (Australian, UK, US, Canadian) interests, or subject (health, environment, poverty, etc.) interests. They are differences in whom the authors are speaking to, where they are posi- tioned in relation to the problems they address and the specific goals of their chapters. In some ways, this highlights the sheer diversity of people, perspectives and angles associated with ‘doing public policy’. As a whole, the arguments put by the contributors thus invite reflection on our own particular position on policy processes, and debate over the underlying nature of the problem(s) we are trying to solve in our efforts to find new ways of achieving good policy outcomes. I wonder whether, fundament- ally, our struggle to achieve these outcomes is a problem of power rather than of technical skill? If so, perhaps the book’s stance is somewhat liber- atory, in that it exposes, openly acknowledges, and proposes strategies to counter these unequal power dynamics (for example, the contributions of Wiseman, Doggett and Chesterman). 584_15_Creating and Implementing.indd 223 23/9/15 11:30:20