Potential Human Rights Uses of Network Analysis and Mapping

>A report< to the Science and Human Rights Program of the American Association for the Advancement of Science Skye Bender-deMoll April 28, 2008. 47 pages

Abstract: This report investigates potential new tools and existing applications of network analysis and network mapping to assist or facilitate human rights work. It provides a very brief overview of some network concepts, quick introductions to a number of relevant fields of research, and some specific examples of how people are currently using network tools for academic and applied work. The examples serve as an overview and entry point to the research areas. As this is a developing and fragmented field, classification is difficult. However, some common points exist and a few conclusions are presented. Some of the risks and challenges of network research are discussed, along with criteria for evaluating potential future projects. Finally, several possible projects are proposed.

A Handbook Of Data Collection Tools: Companion To “A Guide To Measuring Advocacy And Policy”

Author: Jane Reisman, Anne Gienapp, and Sarah Stachowiak
Publisher: Organizational Research Services
Publication Date: 2007

Abstract
What are examples of data collection tools for evaluating advocacy?

This handbook of tools is a companion to ORS’ “A Guide To Measuring Advocacy And Policy”. The data collection tools included in the handbook have actually been used to evaluate advocacy or related efforts. The data collection instruments apply to six outcomes areas:

* Shifts in Social Norms;
* Strengthened Organizational Capacity;
* Strengthened Alliances;
* Strengthened Base of Support;
* Improved Policies; and
* Changes in Impact.

Advocacy & Policy Change Composite Logic Model

Author: Coffman, Julia
Publisher: Harvard Family Research Project
Publication Date: September 2007

Abstract
Are there shared elements-goals, outcomes, indicators-across different types of advocacy work? Can we create a common vocabulary for the advocacy evaluation field?

The Composite Logic Model (“CLM”) and associated materials was developed by Julia Coffman from Harvard Family Research Project; Astrid Hendricks and Barbara Masters from The California Endowment; Jackie Williams Kaye from The Atlantic Philanthropies; and Tom Kelly from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. More than 50 funders, evaluators, and advocates also lent their expertise to refine the Model.

Public consultation on DFID’s new performance frameworks with UNDP, UNFPA and UNAIDS

Inn the Consultation section of the DFID website information is now available on three proposed performance frameworks for the UNDP, UNFPA and UNAIDS

Each section provides the following information:

  • The DFID/UN… Institutional Strategy
  • Further details and background information
  • A list of questions
  • An email address to send comments to
  • A deadline date for submission of comments

It is not clear what will happen to the comments. Another section, on the Bangladesh Country Plan, refers to “a consolidated reply addressing the key issues raised will be sent to all respondents after the consultation has closed.” The same could be requested for each of the above consultations

Outcome-Based Conditionality: Too Good To Be True?

Author: Nuria Molina. Date: 2008. Size: 42 pages

“Does linking aid disbursement to a results agenda (outcome-based conditionality) actually build recipient ownership and development effectiveness? This report for the European Network on Debt and Development (EURODAD) analyses the different interpretations of outcome-based aid delivery adopted by the World Bank (WB), International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Commission (EC). It examines EC experience in piloting the approach in Burkina Faso, Mozambique and Tanzania. Outcome-based conditionality is a strategic step towards giving recipients ownership of their own development. However, experience is limited and it is hard to tell if there has been any real impact on poverty reduction.”

(From the Governance and Social Development Resource Centre Email Bulletin, Issue No 59, 16th July 2008)

Does Empowerment Work?

“Does Empowerment Work?: Underlying concepts and the experience of two community empowerment programs in Cambodia and Tanzania ” (2008), by Aldo Benini.

This book length document “investigates the effectiveness in poor rural societies of a concept of modernity that has enjoyed an explosive career over the past fifty years – empowerment. From rich-nation self-help movements to the liberation of historically oppressed groups, programs claiming to give power to the powerless are legion. Often they are mixed with other normative master frames and social technologies such as human rights or micro-finance. Continue reading “Does Empowerment Work?”

Efficient linking of lists in humanitarian data management

“Aldo Benini has produced a technical note reviewing efficient ways of linking lists when the linkage variables (e.g. name of person, village) have significant spelling differences, or the lists are of different size.

Abstract: ”Relief workers sometimes have to match two or more lists of persons (food aid recipients, camp populations, missing persons, patients, etc.) or localities (villages of origin; populated places in two administrative gazetteers). The identifying information (name, address, document numbers) may be held in spreadsheets or databases, but may defy immediate matching, notably because of spelling differences. Automated record linkage procedures can speed up the process greatly while manual verification of dubious cases remains important. With lists obtained from a community empowerment program in Tanzania, I demonstrate how the linkage works, using one method in a popular spreadsheet application, and another in a statistical program.” – The paper can be downloaded from http://aldo-benini.org/Level2/humanitarian_data_analysis.htm. Continue reading “Efficient linking of lists in humanitarian data management”

Tracing Power and Influence in Networks:Net-Map as a Tool for Research and Strategic Network Planning

Eva Schiffer and Douglas Waale
Discussion Paper No. 772 June 2008
Related Resource Net-Map Toolbox Blog

Abstract: Believing that complex problems call for complex solutions and that stakeholders should have a say in policies that concern them, policymakers have strongly promoted the development of forums and organizations made up of many stakeholders to address complex governance issues such as water management. Both developing and developed countries have instituted multistakeholder water governance bodies on local, national, and international levels. However, while the belief is strong that these integrated bodies should improve governance, how and to what extent that actually happens is still unclear, not only because of the complexity of the matter but also due to a lack of appropriate research tools for the analysis of complex governance systems.
Continue reading “Tracing Power and Influence in Networks:Net-Map as a Tool for Research and Strategic Network Planning”

4th UK Social Networks conference

Date: Friday 18 July 2008 – Sunday 20 July 2008
Venue: University of Greenwich, London

“The UK Social Network Conference offers an interdisciplinary venue for social and behavioral scientists, sociologists, educationalists, political scientists, mathematicians, computer scientists, physicists, practitioners and others to present their work in the area of social networks. The primary objective of the Conference is to facilitate interactions between the many different disciplines interested in network analysis. The Conference provides a unique opportunity for the dissemination and debate of recent advances in theoretical and experimental network research.”

Editor’s note: I have included this event because I think social network analysis tools are very relevant to the task of describing and evaluating development project plans and progress. See more on this issue here https://www.mande.co.uk/special-issues/network-models/

AfrEA-NONIE-3ie International Conference on Impact Evaluation for Development Effectiveness

Date: 30 March -3 April 2009
Venue: Cairo, Egypt

“After four very successful conferences over the past few years (held twice in Nairobi, in Cape Town and in Niamey), AfrEA wishes to announce that its Fifth Conference will be an international event hosted in partnership with NONIE (www.worldbank.org/ieg/nonie) and 3ie (www.3ieimpact.org).

…the AfrEA-NONIE-3ie International Conference on Impact Evaluation for Development Effectiveness, which will be held on 30 March-3 April 2009 in Cairo, Egypt. This is the first time an AfrEA event will be held in North Africa. Continue reading “AfrEA-NONIE-3ie International Conference on Impact Evaluation for Development Effectiveness”