Category: Types of Events

Workshop: Standards & Practices in Evaluating Development

Date: August 3-8, 2008
Venue: University of Bamako, Mali

Organizer: Association pour la Promotion de l’Evaluation au Mali (APEM) – Bamako – Mali

Mamadou Keita – President (mkeita@delta- c.org)

Workshop Coordinator: Ahmed Ag Aboubacrine, DME Coordinator, CARE International in Sierra Leone,

ahmed1996@yahoo. fr

This event is part of the 5th Mali Symposium on Applied Sciences, to be held at the University of Bamako from August 3-8, 2008.

Abstract

Monitoring and evaluation of development intervention and policies’ implementation has become an absolute necessity after the setting of international norms of evaluation practices by donors as well as private sector, governments and local constituencies.

Evaluation has not become only a cross-cutting academic area (studied and subject of scientific researches) but also a basic requirement in almost all sectors: health, education, finance, infrastructure, social, agriculture, livestock, water and sanitation, urban planning, habitat, HIV/AIDS, transport, gender, corruption, governance.

Besides the standards set by independent organizations such as African Evaluation Association (www.afrea.org) and also IDEAS (http://www. ideas-int. org/ ); there are other specific evaluation mechanisms:

* African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM)

* Governance Index of Mo Ibrahim foundation

* Poverty Reduction Strategies (PRS) National Evaluation Mechanisms supported by World Bank, African Development Bank, UNDP and other UN agencies.

Each of the above mentioned organizations has its norms and standards in monitoring and evaluation which are most of them very similar.

This mini-symposium objective is to promote monitoring and evaluation practices in Mali in order to ensure the effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability and impact of development interventions undertaken by the state, local constituencies, donors, NGOs and private sector.

The specific objectives are three:

* Sharing of existing evaluation standards (state-of-art)

* Exchanging on current practices of evaluation in Mali

* Finding out the strategies for generalization / institutionalization of evaluation practice by state actors

Submission of papers

Papers should be submitted in an A4 format and should not exceed four pages. All papers related to the standards and practices of evaluation in any area could be accepted.

For more details, visit our website:

http://www.msas. maliwatch. org/msas2008/ msas2008_ 018.html

Conference: Policy and programme evaluation in Europe: Cultures and prospects

Date: July 3 and 4, 2008
Venue: European Parliament – Strasbourg (France)

Last news ! Reduction of registration fee until the 1st June

Registration on line for the symposium: http://www.sfe.asso.fr/fr/strasbourg2008/registration-form.html

Click here for the programme: http://www.sfe.asso.fr/fr/strasbourg2008/programme.html

Pre-sessions: Meetings to improve connections between evaluators

National School of Administration – Strasbourg (France), July 2, 2008

The pre-session programme is available :Click here: http://www.sfe.asso.fr/docs/site/pdf/strasbourg/programme_pre-sessions.pdf
Registration :Click here: http://www.sfe.asso.fr/docs/site/pdf/strasbourg/sfe_pre-session_bulletin_inscription.pdf

The written texts of speakers will be available on our web site in the next few days.

Best regards,
French Evaluation Society

65 Avenue des Gobelins
75013 PARIS
France
00 33 (0) 1 45 41 58 40
Contact : sfe.strasbourg2008@orange.fr
Web : www.sfe.asso.fr

M&E training to be provided by Development Alternatives, India

Date: June 05-07, 2008
Venue:

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning System (MEAL)

Introduction

The principle of Monitor what You want to Manage has implications at two critical levels: one, that each monitoring system should be customized to the needs of the project; and second, the monitoring system should be robust and have the flexibility to adapt to changing capacities of the project over a period of time. Monitoring Evaluation and Learning System (MEAL) seeks to retain the basic principles of project management yet allow the project to identify, develop and evolve their own monitoring and review systems.

Continue reading “M&E training to be provided by Development Alternatives, India”

Round Table on Impact Evaluation: meeting and online

The two days gathering entittled Mapping the Measures of Success: An Expert Round Table on Impact Evaluation for Strengthening Governance of WASH Services has been officially opened. This gathering and online discussion will be held until Wednesday 14 of May -2008. IRC will send a hard copy of the Thematic Overview Paper produced using the inputs from this event to the active participants of the Online Discussion.

The purpose of the Round Table is to map the existing knowledge, practices, experiences and challenges related to evaluating the impact of development interventions in the context of governance of WASH services.

Topics

This event will bring together around 30 experts (by invitation) from different organisations and sectors (universities, (I)NGOs, water sector implementing agencies, resource centres as well as representatives of government and financial agencies) to share knowledge, experience and ideas through a round table platform. Through this facilitated learning and sharing event, the organisers seek to give voice to different perspectives on the following topics:

1. Why do we do impact evaluation? Who is the consumer of impact evaluation results and for what purpose do they need the information?
2. What are the main challenges when trying to identify and measure impact of an intervention focusing on development or institutional change?
3. What can be defined as meaningful ‘measures of success’ or indicators of a project that seeks to strengthen local governance?
4. What can be defined as suitable methods of a project that seeks to strengthen local governance?
5. What limitations and gaps exist in the current impact evaluation discourse?

Online discussion

In order to enable the participation of interested parties not in attendance, a facilitated discussion will also be conducted online through a dedicated blog. Through this it will be possible to comment on the ongoing discussion and access the materials and proceedings related to this event. For more information: Deirdre Casella, e-mail, or Sandra Segura, e-mail.

Quality COMPAS and Dynamic COMPAS course organized by Groupe URD at its head office

(from Alnap email list)

Training Course (in English): The Dynamic COMPAS and the Quality COMPAS

(quality assurance method and software for humanitarian projects)

23 – 27 June 2008 in Plaisians (Provence)

The Quality COMPAS method and Dynamic COMPAS software are project and information management tools for humanitarian projects. They will be the subject of a short training course to be held in Plaisians (Groupe URD’s head office) from 23rd to 27th June 2008.

The course will be conducted in English.

Project and information management is essential to ensure the quality of humanitarian projects. Many of the weaknesses which have been identified in projects over the last decade do not come from a lack of technical knowledge on the part of humanitarian actors but rather because qualitative factors have not been properly taken into account.

Drawing its content from the COMPAS method, the course will cover subjects such as (1) conducting a situation analysis which goes further than a simple needs analysis, (2) designing a project beyond the logical framework, (3) defining objectives and indicators in keeping with all the quality criteria, (4) developing and implementing a monitoring system, (5) understanding the difference between monitoring and evaluation, etc.

The course is organised around a case study which gives participants practical experience of quality management and using the COMPAS method and the Dynamic COMPAS software (to download it and/or to know more about the COMPAS: http://www.compasqualite.org/en/index/index.php)

This course has been designed for national and international aid workers involved in project management activities like needs assessment, design, monitoring, self-evaluation and evaluation.

Do not hesitate to contact us for further information.

Pierre Brunet

Training Unit Coordinator

Symposium: Policy and Programme Evaluation in Europe : cultures and prospects

Date: July 3 and 4, 2008
Venue: European Parliament in Strasbourg, France

Dear Sir or Madam,

It is our pleasure to send you the enclosed programme of the Société Française de l’Évaluation’s next symposium, entitled “The evaluation of public policies in Europe: cultures and futures”. It is available here : http://www.sfe.asso.fr/fr/strasbourg2008/programme.html

The symposium shall take place on July 3 and 4, 2008 at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France. It is an official event of the French Presidency of the European Union 2008.

The event has been planned for all actors involved in the evaluation of public policies, and more generally for all those engaged in improving the effectiveness of public sector activities.

Its ambition is to share good practices, methods and cultures in evaluation on a European scale, as is borne out by our partnership with DeGEval – Gesellschaft für Evaluation (http://www.degeval.de), as well as the contribution of around ten other national societies for evaluation. We aim to use the diversity of European practices as a collective strength and a resource for everyone.

We are thus looking forward to welcoming a large audience, from six hundred to eight hundred participants, representing a vast diversity of the European spectrum, consisting of experts, representatives of international organisations, national, regional and local civil services and authorities, as well as academics and representatives of civil society. The exchanges of views throughout the symposium shall be facilitated through simultaneous translation between French and English.

We would be very honoured if you could come and contribute to the exchanges of those assembled with your own experience and thoughts.

For practical information and registration :
http://www.sfe.asso.fr/fr/strasbourg2008/registration-practical-information.html

It is our hope that we will have the pleasure of welcoming you at the European Parliament next July 3 and 4.

Yours sincerely,

President of the SFE,
Guy CAUQUIL
http://www.sfe.asso.fr

Impact Assessment: Training to be provided by INTRAC

Date: 07 May 2008 – 09 May 2008
Venue: London, UK

Training event organised by INTRAC

Course fee: £475.00
Number of days: 3
Description:
With increased pressures on delivery and accountability, the need has never been greater for Civil Society and other development organisations to assess the long-term impact of their work. In three fruitful days you will explore the current state of the debate about impact assessment as well as reviewing current practice and methodologies. Learn to assess the effectiveness of your work.Course objectives
• Understand what is meant by impact assessment and how the concept has emerged
• Explore the relationship between impact assessment and other forms of evaluative activity
• Explore different approaches and alternative methodologies in conducting impact assessment
• Identify ways of getting a representative picture e.g. case studies, sampling methods, and triangulation between quantitative and qualitative data
• Consider impact assessment in different contexts e.g. in programmes and projects, organisationally, and in advocacy work

Link to application form

“Is Your Campaign Making A Difference”

…has just been published by the Campaigning Effectiveness Programme at NCVO

The book, written by Jim Coe and Ruth Mayne, seeks to advance the case that simple and effective monitoring and evaluation can, if implemented well, become a powerful tool for social and political change. It is aimed at campaigners and managers who are thinking of introducing monitoring and evaluation approaches within their campaign, or who are looking at ways of improving an existing approach.

Part 1 (available as a free download) provides an overview of the key elements of monitoring and evaluating campaigning, outlining some simple approaches. Part 2 looks in more detail at approaches to tracking outcomes, impact and ways of working. The final sections of the book consider how to design a coherent approach, with commentary on appropriate frameworks, tool and techniques.

Information available at

www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/publications/publication.asp?id=8612

3rd annual Measuring Effectiveness conference:’Participation, Empowerment and Downward Accountability’.

Greetings,

The 3rd annual Measuring Effectiveness conference will be held in Melbourne, on Thursday 25th & Friday 26th September, 2008.

We sincerely hope that you will again be inspired to attend this important event. This year sees World Vision Australia and The Australian National University partnering to bring you a conference themed around ‘Participation, Empowerment and Downward Accountability’.

Attached is the call for papers, requested for submission by Friday 20th June, 2008. That gives you 8 weeks to submit your paper. Competition is increasing each year, so please ensure that you meet this deadline to ensure your paper is given full consideration. For all further details please refer to the attached. Please also distribute this amongst your colleagues and networks who may also be interested.

Conference updates will be posted regularly on the World Vision website, and registrations will again be managed online.We will endeavour to have the conference brochure available online in late May 08, and the final draft conference program, outlining the speakers/presenters and session outlines, available online by late August 08. Further email correspondence will also be sent out in the coming months, however the best source of informatoin will be the website so please check this regularly. You will also find information and papers from previosu ME conferences, as well as other development conferences.

http://www.worldvision.com.au/learn/conferences/index.asp

Please distribute this email amongst your colleagues and networks who may also be interested.

Regards,

Melissa Cadwell | Program Coordinator |
Program Effectiveness | World Vision Australia
phone / fax: +61 3 9287 2769
Email : measuringeffectiveness@worldvision.com.au
Website : http://www.worldvision.com.au/learn/conferences/index.asp

M&E training to be provided by Mosaic

Dear Colleague,
Time to register for Mosaic’s capacity building workshops planned for this July 2008: 1) Stakeholder Participation in: Planning, Needs Assessment, Monitoring and Evaluation; 2) Results-based Management, Appreciative Inquiry and Open Space Technology; and 3) Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation.

Please jot these dates down on your calendar and forward this message to any interested colleagues. We look forward to your participation.

Stakeholder Participation in Planning, Needs Assessment, Monitoring and Evaluation using PRA/PLA Tools
Ottawa, Canada
July 7-12, 2008

The Stakeholder Participation workshop focuses on core participatory concepts, tools and their application. This is an intensive six-day workshop set in the community to maximize learning, group interaction and networking. Topics include The Origins of Participatory Development, Learning and Application of PRA/PLA tools, the Application of Participation to Project Design, Monitoring and Evaluation, Developing Effective Facilitation Skills, Building Action Plans and Team-Building. Two-day community assignments proposed by community-based organizations in the Ottawa region will allow participants to apply tools learned in the workshop to real-life situations. This is also a great opportunity to network with other practitioners, NGOs, donors, and action researchers from all over the world.

For further information, please refer to the web site at http//www.mosaic-net-intl.ca or by email at wkshop05@mosaic-net-intl.ca.

Results-based Management, Appreciative Inquiry and Open Space Technology
Ottawa, Canada
July 14-18, 2008

This new workshop introduces participants to Results-based Management, Appreciative Inquiry and Open Space Technology. Demonstrate the effectiveness of your programmes with Results-based Management. Master what we mean by results, develop programme/organizational plans which are results-based and design performance monitoring systems based on indicators and participatory methods. You will also expand your repertoire of tools to also learn about Appreciative Inquiry and Open Space and how they can be applied to your organization, programme and/or project. These approaches are increasingly being used around the world to tap into new ways to do our work in ways that are more results-oriented, more appreciative and less problem-focused and more self-organized vs top down.

For further information, please refer to the web site at http//www.mosaic-net-intl.ca or by email at wkshop05@mosaic-net-intl.ca.

Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation
Ottawa, Canada
July 21-26,2008

Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation (PM & E) involves a different approach to project monitoring and evaluation by involving local people, project stakeholders, and development agencies deciding together about how to measure results and what actions should follow once this information has been collected and analyzed. This intensive six day experiential workshop is practically focused with daily excursions into the community and a three-day community assignment. Topics covered at the workshop include Origins of PM & E, Skills and Attributes of a PM & E facilitator, Learning PM & E Tools, Designing a Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, Quantitiative and Qualitative Indicators and Building Actions Plan and much more.

All workshops organized by Mosaic are sensitive to issues of gender, ethnicity, race, and class and how these can influence outcomes and how we see the world if they are absent from our assumptions, direct participation, our analysis and conclusions.

Can’t attend the workshops? Contact us to custom design a workshop to suit the specific needs of your organization.

For further information, please refer to the web site at http//:www.mosaic-net-intl.ca or by email Rayna at wkshop05@mosaic-net-intl.ca. Send us your full mailing address and we will send you a brochure.

Francoise Coupal
Founder of Mosaic.net International, Inc.

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