Rethinking impact: understanding the complexity of poverty and change – overview

Abstract

The international workshop 'Rethinking Impact: Understanding the Complexity of Poverty and Change' (Cali, Colombia, 26-28 March 2008) explored the challenges inherent in evaluating agricultural research-for-development efforts, identifying lessons and approaches for sustainably improving livelihoods. Use-oriented research which links knowledge with action has greater welfare and development impacts. Researchers must help to link diverse stakeholders in order to create and share knowledge for effective, sustainable action. The legitimacy of such boundary-spanning work needs to be recognised and rewarded, and sufficient resources dedicated to it. Traditional economic-impact assessment does little justice to complex poverty-related activities, which require a diversity of methods and enhanced capacity.Repenser l'impact : comprendre la complexité de la pauvreté et du changement -aperçu L'atelier international « Rethinking Impact: Understanding the Complexity of Poverty and Change » (Cali, Colombia, 26-28 mars 2008) s'est penché sur les défis que comporte l'évalu-ation les efforts de recherche pour le développement dans le secteur agricole, en mettant en relief les enseignements et les approches pour améliorer durablement les moyens de subsistance. Les recherches axées sur les utilisations qui relient les connaissances aux actions ont des impacts plus importants sur le plan du bien-être et du développement. Les chercheurs doivent aider à forger des liens entre diverses parties prenantes afin de créer et de partager les connaissances en vue d'une action efficace et durable. La légitimité de ce type de travail englobant plusieurs secteurs doit être reconnue, récompensée et se voir assigner des moyens suffisants. L'évaluation traditionnelle des impacts économiques ne rend guère justice aux activités complexes liées à la pauvreté, qui requièrent une diversité de méthodes, ainsi que des capacités améliorées. GUEST EDITORS' INTRODUCTION maiores em termos de bem-estar e desenvolvimento. Os pesquisadores devem ajudar a conectar as diversas partes envolvidas para criar e compartilhar conhecimento para ação efetiva e sustentável. A legitimidade de tal trabalho que cruza as fronteiras das disciplinas precisa ser reconhecida, recompensada e recursos suficientes devem ser dedicados a ele. A avaliação de impacto econômico tradicional não faz muita justiça a atividades complexas relativas à pobreza, que exige uma diversidade de métodos e maior capacidade.Nuevas formas de entender el impacto: cómo combinar la complejidad de la pobreza y el cambio -una visión general El taller internacional 'Repensar el Impacto: comprendiendo la complejidad de la pobreza y el cambio', realizado en Cali, Colombia del 26 al 28 de marzo de 2008, analizó los retos inherentes a la evaluación de proyectos agrícolas de investigación para el desarrollo, y destacó experiencias y métodos para mejorar los medios de vida en forma sustentable. Las investigaciones orientadas hacia la práctica que vinculan el conocimiento con la acción tienen más impacto en el bien...

Debate on the Appropriate Methods for Conducting Impact Evaluation of Programs within the Development Context

“…Bamberger (2012) asserts: "when used in isolation, both quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods have strengths and weaknesses" (p. 3). Moreover, the conventional economic impact evaluation was not in line with complex development programs that required a diversity of methods and enhanced capacity (Lilja, Kristjanson, & Watts, 2010). The increasing complexity in the structure of development programs demands new and sophisticated approaches to evaluation as more and more emphasis is put on partnership and empowerment, thus the combination of the quantitative and qualitative approaches becomes necessary (Conlin & Stirrat, 2008).…”

“…Moreover, the current complex environment of development programs has been exacerbated by the (MDGs) 3 , because donors and stakeholders have generally emphasized holistic approaches to evaluating program results (Conlin & Stirrat, 2008), with focus on collaborative and partnership processes. According to (Lilja et al, 2010), this holistic approach helps build institutional and technical capacity while making use of local knowledge and capacity. Meanwhile, perspectives on the definition, scope, and appropriate methods 1 Development assistance is a financial aid provided by governments and other agencies to promote the economic, environmental, social and political development of developing nations.…”