| Session Title: Examining Our Own Cross-Cultural Competences & Perspectives in International Contexts |
| Think Tank Session 413 to be held in Conference Room 13 on Thursday, Nov 3, 2:50 PM to 4:20 PM |
| Sponsored by the International and Cross-cultural Evaluation TIG |
| Presenter(s): |
| Mary Crave, National 4-H Council, mcrave@fourhcouncil.edu |
| Discussant(s): |
| Kerry Zaleski, University of Wisconsin, Extension, kerry.zaleski@ces.uwex.edu |
| Hubert Paulmer, Harry Cummings and Associates Inc, hubertpaulmer@gmail.com |
| Liudmila Mikhailova, CRDF Global, mikhailova@msn.com |
| Abstract: Evaluators working in contexts different from their own cultures are continually challenged to explore not only their practices, but also their beliefs and assumptions about evaluation. This session is not about how to understand different cultures but to start a discourse on how evaluators' own beliefs about evaluation and the programs they are evaluating influence evaluation design, execution, and communication in international contexts. The speakers will illustrate examples from their work in several continents and suggest critical ways in which the cultural perspectives of both the evaluator and of the respondent influenced the evaluation. Small group discussions will lead participants to explore beliefs, assumptions, and practices from one of three stakeholder perspectives: the program sponsor; the evaluator; and, evaluation respondents. Participants will discuss together some specific challenges and cultural beliefs in international evaluation such as methodology, indicators of success, evaluation purpose and use, to improve their own international evaluation practice. |