The AfDB has launched Evaluation Matters, a new quarterly knowledge publication that connects the dots between evaluation and development work.
Speaking about the publication, Rakesh Nangia, Director of the Operations Evaluation Department said:
"The site and timing for the launch could not be better. Despite its socio-political crisis and an overhang of the global economic gloom, the African continent continues to record strong economic growth. .... However, we ignore history at our own peril. Evaluation Matters aims to bring to us the lessons of history and experience so we learn from it and use our abilities and resources wisely. History and its lessons are key to success. "
The publication was officially launched during the 2012 Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank in Arusha.
In this premiere issue of eVALUatiOn Matters, the President of the AfDB, Donald Kaberuka, states: "An effective and efficient evaluation function is crucial for the African Development Bank's efforts to continuously strengthen the development effectiveness of its initiatives".
The Chair of the AfDB Committee on Operations and Development Effectiveness, Christophe Kolmeyer; evaluation experts, including Caroline Heider and Cheryl Gray, heads of evaluation at the World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank, respectively, also share useful insights from their experience across continents and institutions. AfDB evaluation experts ask questions most evaluation users have always wanted to ask: Who evaluates the evaluator? Is the evaluator always right?
Recent independent evaluations of the AfDB's operations were also launched. These include, an Independent Evaluation of the AfDB's Assistance to Fragile States; Mainstreaming Gender: A Road to Results or a Road to Nowhere? An Evaluation of the AfDB's Policy-Based Operations, and more.
The launch of this new quarterly publication kicks off a series of activities to mark 25 years of evaluation work in the AfDB. The celebration will culminate in the second annual AfDB Evaluation Week, December 3 - 7, 2012, which is expected to bring together evaluation experts from all over the world for a week-long series of learning and knowledge sharing events, under the patronage of the AfDB President.
The AfDB Operations Evaluation Department conducts independent, systematic assessments of the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, and impact of the Bank's strategies, policies, and operations
About the AfDB:
The overarching objective of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group is to spur sustainable economic development and social progress in its regional member countries (RMCs), thus contributing to poverty reduction. The Bank Group achieves this objective by mobilizing and allocating resources for investment in RMCs; and providing policy advice and technical assistance to support development efforts.
