NGOs in Development: Evidence and the Policy Process

Brian Pratt, Oliver Bakewell, Emma Mawdsley, Matt Smith

Papers to download:

NGOs in Development: Evidence and the Policy Process Oliver Bakewell, INTRAC

Evidence free? INGDOs and Development Education Matt Smith (powerpoint)

What counts as Evidence and how is it communicated? Emma Mawdsley (powerpoint)

There has been widespread agreement on the significant role of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), including civil society organisations, may have in improving poor people's lives. On the one hand, some may have a role in influencing government development policies. On the other hand, some may be involved in carrying out their own activities that aim to improve poor people's lives. In both roles an issue of utilising evidence in deciding upon the course of action emerges.

The discussion addressed the following key questions:

• How far is NGO policy evidence based?
• What mechanism do NGOs use to gather evidence in developing policy?
• How do NGOs decide where they need evidence? Which evidence (or perhaps whose) is given the most weight?
• Are there evidence free zones in NGO policy?

Panel Speakers:

• Oliver Bakewell (INTRAC)
• Emma Mawdsley (Birkbeck University)
• Matt Smith (Northumbria University)
• Brian Pratt (Chair) INTRAC