Decolonising knowledge | multi-directional flow of knowledge | knowledge democratisation - Putting learning at the centre of development cooperation | Co-founder at Propel
Riccardo Polastro asks an interesting question in his piece on evaluations and change: "While evaluations of humanitarian action have more resources than ever, lessons from responses to protracted conflicts, cyclical disasters and escalating crises are not always being systematically being used. Why?" We know that there is a ton of evaluation data out there which include immense amounts of knowledge. And there is widespread agreement and studies showing that the findings of these evaluation more often than not, end up collecting dust on a shelf rather than inform action. On the one hand I agree with Polastro when he writes: "It is only when evaluations are used that their value is recognised and they spark change. Humanitarian evaluations need to be clearer in their purpose – to provide real-time feedback for adaptation, provide accountability to affected populations, peers and donors, or draw lessons for future crises. Evaluations should be carefully timed and designed to meet such expectations because all purposes cannot be met at once." Yet, that still does not answer how we can make evaluations accessible for their findings to be digested and used. Rarely do people in the field, especially when responding to a humanitarian emergency have time to dig through hundreds of pages of evaluation reports. Luckily, technology can help with. We have the means now to make bulks of qualitative data available in easy ways. So, why don't we yet? Some of my own reflections on the topic here: https://lnkd.in/e485yHRT I'd be curious to exchange with others who are pushing the envelop on this. If that is you, please reach out!
MUST READ FOR THE WEEKEND: As part of ALNAP's ongoing #WithLearningComesChange initiative, Riccardo Polastro, chief evaluation officer at the World Health Organization has written an insightful blog on how and when humanitarian evaluations can trigger change. 'It is only when evaluations are used that their value is recognised and they spark change,' Riccardo writes. 'Humanitarian evaluations need to be clearer in their purpose – to provide real-time feedback for adaptation, provide accountability to affected populations, peers and donors, or draw lessons for future crises. Evaluations should be carefully timed and designed to meet such expectations because all purposes cannot be met at once.' Read the full blog here: https://lnkd.in/dr7E9rw6
