policy and practice challenge

[Klpno]

Hello everyone,

Responding to juvenile offending is a unique policy and practice challenge. While a substantial proportion of crime is perpetuated by juveniles, most juveniles will ‘grow out’ of offending and adopt law-abiding lifestyles as they mature.

Does "policy and practice challenge" mean the same as "political and practical challenge"?

Thank you.

[Dozy]

"policy" refers to the principles, rules, guidelines, etc. formulated to govern the operation of whatever institution the text is referring to. "political" would not be quite the same. Primarily "political" refers to the activities of politicians and the operation of government, but the word has various other connotations of power, intrigue, manoeuvring, ethical and moral correctness, and so on, and can also be applied to other organisations. If the institution in question is government then "political" is closer to "policy" than if the institution is of some other type.

"practice" is similar to "practical" in that it is referring to the actual execution of the work of the institution (whatever that may be), as opposed to abstract policy formulation.

[Klpno]

Thank you, Dozy.