| Session Title: International Development Evaluation: Opportunities and Challenges for the Use of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) Criteria |
| Think Tank Session 106 to be held in Pratt Room, Section A on Wednesday, November 7, 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM |
| Sponsored by the International and Cross-cultural Evaluation TIG |
| Presenter(s): |
| Paul Lamphear, Western Michigan University, paul.a.lamphear@pfizer.com |
| Tererai Trent, Heifer International, tererai.trent@heifer.org |
| Sheri Hudachek, Western Michigan University, sherihudachek@yahoo.com |
| Todd Harcek, Western Michigan University, todd.d.harcek@wmich.edu |
| Ryoh Sasaki, Western Michigan University, ryoh.sasaki@wmich.edu |
| Discussant(s): |
| Thomaz Chianca, Western Michigan University, thomaz.chianca@wmich.edu |
| Ronald Scott Visscher, Western Michigan University, ronald.s.visscher@wmich.edu |
| Krystin Martens, Western Michigan University, krystinm@etr.org |
| Michael Scriven, Western Michigan University, scriven@aol.com |
| Paul Clements, Western Michigan University, paul.clements@wmich.edu |
| Abstract: The Development Assistance Committee (DAC) Evaluation Criteria are probably the most commonly adopted criteria to evaluate development projects. Donor agencies and international non-governmental organizations have adopted these criteria in many parts of the world. The Interdisciplinary PhD in Evaluation at Western Michigan University has created a taskforce to review the DAC criteria and propose improvements to them. Some orienting questions include: Are the DAC criteria the right ones? Are common interpretations and uses of the criteria justified? What criteria, if any, are missing? Should each of the criteria be allocated the same weight and significance? This think-tank session aims to present the findings resulting from the taskforce's effort, get the reaction of two world-class experts in development evaluation, and engage other AEA members in a dialogue to identify ways to improve the quality of evaluation criteria in international development. |