Thursday, May 21, 2:00pm Eastern

Title:Reclaiming the Role of Evidence in a Time of Polycrisis

Abstract: Insights from International Evaluation Practice Evidence lies at the core of evaluation, yet its nature, scope, and perceived validity are increasingly contested. For evaluators advising policy-makers, the question is no longer only how to generate sound evidence, but how evidence is defined, legitimized, communicated, and ultimately accepted and used in decision-making. Drawing on nearly two decades of experience commissioning and leading evaluations in Africa, this presentation critically examines how different forms of evidence—quantitative, qualitative, experiential, and locally grounded knowledge—are produced and weighed in complex international cooperation contexts. It explores how technological tools, donor accountability requirements, and dominant worldviews shape what counts as “valid” evidence, often privileging certain forms of knowledge while marginalizing others. It pays particular attention to the pathways through which evaluation evidence reaches decision-makers and the factors that influence its uptake, including timing, framing, power relations, and institutional incentives. Grounded in the CES Core Professional Values, it argues for an inclusive that values culturally responsive approaches Through reflective practice and concrete examples, this session invites evaluators to reassert the importance of evidence while adapting to its increasing volatility

Speaker: Linetta Alexander

Type: Express workshop. 90 minutes

Language: English 

Presenters' expertise: Ms. Annonciate Ndikumasabo has an extensive experience in program evaluations and hence has many insights to share on the issue of evidence in the modern era of technology and political pressures. In her advisory role, she has organised several workshops on diverse topics and diverse goals. She is a member a the Swiss Agency Development and Cooperation pool of facilitators. She has conducted several evaluations both for completing her graduate diploma in program evaluation at the University of Victoria and during her career as program manager. She for example co-authored the evaluation report of the Swiss Strategy in Tchad. she had led an evaluation team to assess the merit of a program funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation in Rwanda, Burundi and DRC. She has been a teacher at different universities in Burundi for more than a decade.

Workshop level: Intermediate

Prerequisite knowledge:Interest in international Development Cooperation; knowledge of the importance of culturally responsive approaches; awareness of the issue of power in program evaluations and the weight of donors over evaluators, that jeopardizes evidence.

Learning objectives: 

" - This presentation invites participants to be aware of current complexities and hard times making evidence accepted and used; how make it more credible and usable, and how evaluators can reinforce their role as trusted advisors in addressing complex global and domestic challenges - it invites evaluators to reassert the importance of evidence while adapting to its increasing volatility -Participants will leave with practical insights to enhance the credibility, accessibility, and use of evaluation evidence in policy and program decisions across complex and uncertain environments. "

Teaching strategies : The presentation will be mainly active learning, from a concrete case 90% and 10% on concepts. thus, the active learning strategies will mainly be rounded on case studies, discussion and reflection. I will figure out a group exercise to get insights as well from the audience..