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Evaluating in at Risk Community Environments: Learning From a Social Program Evaluation in a Brazilian Slum
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| Presenter(s):
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| Thereza Penna Firme,
Cesgranrio Foundation,
therezapf@uol.com.br
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| Ana Carolina Letichevsky,
Cesgranrio Foundation,
anacarolina@cesgranrio.org.br
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| Abstract:
This paper describes learning from a two-year evaluation of a social program in a Brazilian slum troubled by poverty, unemployment, and drug related threats and violence, where self protecting attitudes have led to inhabitant behaviors of fear and silence. Evaluation experience in this environment uniquely taught us how not to conduct evaluations. Our strategies made more sense especially as alternatives of what not to do. “Objective” questioning, excluding or withholding full information from evaluees, judgmental interactions versus empathetic conversations were intimidating and detrimental to giving out valid information. Trust building as basis for data collection and data utilization was of utmost importance. Inclusion and Empowerment ensured key community member involvement, stakeholder safety and integrity and importantly, data quality. Emphasis on Appreciative inquiry facilitated utilization of findings for community betterment. The significant lesson that emerged astonished the program staff, sponsors, evaluators and evaluees alike: the meaning of evaluation to the community.
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Learning Through Evaluation: The Case of International Development Interventions
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| Presenter(s):
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| Osvaldo Feinstein,
Spanish Evaluation Agency,
ofeinstein@yahoo.com
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| Abstract:
This presentation discusses the role of evaluation as a learning tool, with examples of evaluations of development interventions funded by international organizations, pointing out that evaluation facilitates learning by doing and showing how this type of learning can be accomplished. Thus, evaluation criteria are presented and the attribution issue is considered in some detail. The paper concludes with a discussion of a set of constraints to the use of evaluation as a learning tool, and with practical proposals to deal with each of these constraints.
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