Conference on January 25th/ 26th 2011 - The online documentation of the conference is now available.

www.evaluation-conference.de

Development programs promote complex reforms and change processes. Such processes are usually characterized by insecurity and unpredictability, posing a big challenge to the evaluation of development projects. In order to understand which projects work, why and under which conditions, evaluations need to embrace the interaction of various influencing factors and the multi-dimensionality of societal change. However, present evaluation approaches often premise predictability and linearity of event chains. They reflect the natural human need for security but are often not suitable to comprehend complex situations.

In order to fill this gap, systemic approaches in evaluation of development programs are increasingly being discussed. A key concept is interdependency instead of linear cause-effect-relations. Systemic evaluations look at interrelations instead of analyzing isolated facts and figures. They focus on the interaction between various stakeholders with different motivations, interests, perceptions, and perspectives. Still, attribution remains a challenge also for systemic evaluations.

On January 25 and 26, 2011 the Evaluation and Audit Division of the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Evaluation Unit of GTZ offer a forum to discuss systemic approaches to evaluation at an international conference. On the basis of presentations, discussion rounds and case studies we will tackle, amongst others, the following questions:

• What are systemic evaluations, what is new about them?
• For which kind of evaluations are systemic approaches (not) useful? E.g., can they be used to enhance accountability?
• Are rigorous impact studies and systemic evaluations antipodes or can we combine elements of both approaches?
• Which concrete methods and tools from systemic consulting can be used?
• Which quality standards do systemic evaluations have to meet?
• Which specific methods and tools from systemic consultation practice can be used in systemic evaluation?

For further information on the conference please do not hesitate to contact our conference team on info.evaluationconference2011@gtz.de. Registration can be made online until December 16, 2010.

We look forward to an enriching conference for all.