More than 400 policy makers, experts, evaluators and academics met in Cuernavaca in the Conference: MIND THE GAP: FROM EVIDENCE TO POLICY IMPACT. … [Read more...] about Mind the Gap: from evidence to policy impact
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Impact Evaluation in Practice
Want to test if a program or policy works, but don’t have time for a Ph.D. in econometrics? Then this book is for you. In “Impact Evaluation in Practice” we discuss the basic principles of impact evaluation and its application in the real world, all in a very accessible language. “Impact Evaluation in Practice” is available for free on the World Bank’s … [Read more...] about Impact Evaluation in Practice
Bowling in the dark
It was eye opening to watch a recent lecture in the TED series by Melinda French Gates on the lessons that emerge from the incredible success of Coca-Cola. You can buy a Coke anywhere in the world, from Tamalameque in Colombia to Katine in Uganda, where it is easier to get a Coke than getting a basic medicine. Ms. French-Gates explains that there are three reasons behind this … [Read more...] about Bowling in the dark
A lesson from economist Esther Duflo
Recently, as part of the 150th anniversary of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), renowned economist Esther Duflo made a passionate plea for the importance of measuring and comparing what we know and what we don’t know in order to determine which development policies work and which do not. I recommend that you read her presentation and reflect on her message. … [Read more...] about A lesson from economist Esther Duflo
Five strategies for more effective impact assessments
I recently read an interesting article that sets forth strategic options for increasing the effectiveness of impact assessments, not just from a methodological standpoint, but also in terms of implementation. The article specifically deals with China and the valuable experience of the Rural Education Action Project of Stanford University, which is collaborating with the … [Read more...] about Five strategies for more effective impact assessments