ACTIVITY PROFILES

2004

Assessment of Support to HPSR Networks. Strategic Plan of Action

Client:     World Health Organization (WHO) & Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research (AHPSR)

Region / Country: Latin America, Africa, South-East Asia, India, China

Period:  April - September 2004

Field:    Evaluation of Regional and Country Research Networks, Policy Analysis

Scope of Work :   

• Identify issues and lessons for the Alliance and for HPSR networks derived from collaboration agreements in the past three years.
• Facilitate a consultation workshop.
• Undertake a follow-up survey with the workshop participants.
• Review relevant documentation.
• Produce a strategic plan for short-term collaboration between the Alliance and the networks, assessing the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of different options.

Outcomes

An Assessment of current practices and a Plan of Action building on:

• A detailed examination of information available in the Alliance's Internet site and in the sites of the networks participating in the assessment.
• Two facilitated meetings to engage the participants in a process of active learning using their collective experience to identify future courses of action.
• The application of a multi-pronged approach covering five areas pertinent to the experience of the networks: Capacity Mapping, Management of Obstacles and Risks, Financing and Revenue Generation, Collaboration Assessment and Self-assessment of Effectiveness
• An electronic survey sent to the workshop participants asking about the current state of the networks, future plans and expectations, and their overall assessment of the collaboration with the Alliance.
• An in depth exploration to provide input into the Alliance planning.
• A strategic plan for short-term collaboration between the Alliance and the networks, assessing the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of different options.

Expected Impact

The networks will build on their complementatiries in aspects such as thematic focus and activities, geographic scope and coverage, structure and organization, membership, access to information and communication technologies (ICTs), and financial resources.

The networks will collaborate to address two sustainability factors: access to funding and the lack of core support.

Following the assessment, it was expected that the following areas will benefit from a positive impact:

• Enhanced opportunities of partnership as a means to ensure continuity and as a conduit to greater visibility, awareness and access to global HPSR information
• Strengthened collaboration under a re-defined notion of partnership to ensure fluid and timely exchanges of information and closer cooperation among the networks and the Alliance
• Scaled-up targeted support, greater concentration of activities, reinforcement of structures and organization, identification of a common ground, better use of ICTs, and setting up monitoring and evaluation mechanisms
• Re-value the strategic importance of networks for the Alliance to carry out its mission.

Report

The findings of the consultation and evaluation led to a series of recommendations and to a plan of action presented in the report Assessment of Support to Networks and Future Prospects. Strategic Plan

 

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Basic Education Teacher Training Reform in Ecuador. Collaboration with ESD International.

Client:     ESD International Consulting - Inter-American Development Bank (IADB)

Region / Country: Ecuador.

Period: November 2004 - March 2005

Field:   Education Reform, Teacher Training

Scope of Work

Provide technical support to the Canadian and Ecuadorian consulting team in the fulfillment of the objectives of the project.

The objectives of the Project were directed to support the education reform programs of the Ministry of Education and Culture through:

• Reviewing the teacher training system in Ecuador
• Supporting a process of consensus building around the main topics of the education reform by organizing two workshops, and
• preparing a detailed education reform plan

Outcomes

• The implementation of four studies reviewing the teacher training system in Ecuador, including:
• An analysis of the labor market demand / supply for basic education teachers
• An examination of the teacher administration systems in terms of enrolment, jobs assignments, retention and supervision
• An examination of the incentive system for the teacher career and teacher unions
• An analysis of the initial and on-the-job training of teachers
• Two consultation workshops
• A detailed reform plan

Expected Impact

Strengthened policy analysis and technical vocational education expertise of the consulting team to deliver the project results and achieve the project objectives

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2003

Assessment of Tertiary Education in Panama  

Client:     Inter-American Development Bank (IADB)
                National Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation. Panama, SENACYT.

Region / Country: Latin America. Panama

Period:  October 2002- August 2003

Field:    Evaluation of Higher Education
              Education Policy Analysis
              Strategic Intervention Plan

Scope of Work :   

• Analyze the response capacity  of the Tertiary Education System – university, non-university and technical institutions- to current and projected labour market demands for technical knowledge and skills in strategic sectors.
• Examine the role of tertiary education institutions in supplying quality and relevant programs to satisfy such demands, with attention to underserved, rural and indigenous populations.
• Analyze the state of financing of post-secondary education, its current funding mechanisms, the public / private investments, and its equity and efficiency implications.
• Identify priority areas in need of further technical assistance and provide policy recommendations to improve current tertiary education practices

Outcomes

A Policy Reform Strategy and a Plan of Action aimed at:

• Consolidating legal frameworks regulating the role of the Ministry of Education, public and private universities, and other Tertiary Education agencies.
• Developing a consensus-based national Tertiary Education strategy among institutional actors, including training institutions, the private sector, the state, and international organizations.
• Integrating institutional mandates and coordinating functions.
• Establishing an information system for monitoring and anticipating labour market demands in the context of a global economy.
• Strengthening the administrative and academic capacity of the sector to improve its management and the quality of the education provided.
• Establishing a public information and communication system to report on services, products and results of Tertiary Education agencies.
• Developing an evaluation system to monitor the quality and relevance of Tertiary Education according to international standards.
• Developing an integrated strategy for the promotion of knowledge and scientific and technological innovations.
• Establishing systems to measure the quality of secondary education and to improve secondary education management.

Expected Impact

Strategic policy recommendations highlighted the need to establish a Tertiary Education management system based on the coordination of state initiatives and other actors participating in the sector, to develop a reform framework for the short, medium and long-term.

Consistent with the findings of the evaluation the main actors in the Tertiary Education system will be expected to develop and coordinate institutional information and communication mechanisms to build-up an integrated database to anticipate labour market demands and report on the operations and results of agencies in the sector.

As a way to improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the Tertiary Education system, the main agencies operating in the system will be expected to:

• Improve the administrative, academic and financial management efficiency of Tertiary Education institutions, and the effectiveness of their monitoring and reporting practices.
• Improve the quality and relevance of Tertiary Education curricula and programs, the training of teachers, and to modernize materials and equipments.
• Establish reliable quality monitoring of the flow of students between secondary and post-secondary education in response to labour market demands.
• Make available to the public regular information about the quality and relevance of education provided by the various facilities comprising the tertiary education system.

Report

The findings of the evaluation, recommendations and a tentative plan of action are presented in the report Enfrentando el Futuro. La Educacion Terciaria en Panama: Desafios y Oportunidades. Reporte Final. Available only in Spanish.

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Collaboration with the Canadian Foundation for the Americas

Client:     Canadian Foundation for the Americas, FOCAL

Region / Country: Latin America.

Period:  September 2002 - June 2003

Field:    Policy Analysis

Scope of Work

The collaboration between SDP Ltd and FOCAL involved the following initiatives:

• Review and analysis of the document findings of the Commission on Economic Reform in Unequal Latin American Societies sponsored by the Carnegie Endowement for International Peace and the Inter-American Dialogue, contained in the document Washington Contentious. Economic policies for Social Equity in Latin America.
• Participation in the IV FOCAL Forum of Hemispheric Experts (Ottawa, Canada, June 19, 2003).
• Input into the FOCAL's consultation process in preparation for the Special Summit of the Americas held in Monterrey, Mexico, January 12 and 13, 2004

Outcomes

• A discussion paper prepared by Daniel Morales-Gomez, examining the Washington Contentious paper, entitled From "Concensus" to "Contentious" A New Wisdom from Washington. Patching the Development Potholes in Latin America.
• A presentation on the State of Education Reform in Latin America, as part of Panel 1 of the IV FOCAL Forum of Hemispheric Experts, "New Directions in Social Policy: Integrating Policies to Address Inequality, Poverty and Growth."
• Recommendation on "Ideas for Future Priorities and Strategies" as part of FOCAL Survey.

Expected Impact

The input provided by SDP Ltd. to FOCAL as part of this collaboration provided FOCAL staff with and additional input into the institution's planning and programming deliberations.

Report

The discussion paper From Consensus to Contentious. A New Wisdom from Washington. Patching the Development Potholes in Latin America discusses some of the assumptions contained in the report from the Commission on Economic Reform in Unequal Latin American Societies.

The PowerPoint presentation Education and Equity. The State of Education Reform in Latin America outlines the SDP contribution to  the FOCAL IV Forum of Hemispheric Experts.

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2002

Project Development.  Improving Quality of Basic Education in Piura, Peru 

Client:     Agriteam Canada Consulting Ltd.
                Canadian International Development Agency. CIDA.
                Ministry of International Cooperation. Government of Canada.               

Region / Country: Latin America. Peru

Period: November 2001- June 2002

Field:    Project Design
              Education Policy Analysis
              Results Base Management (RBM)

Scope of Work        

• Contribute to the preparation of a five years Project Implementation Plan (PIP) for the Improving Basic Education project in Piura, Peru, for approval to the Canadian International Development Agency and disbursement of CIDA s contribution to the government of Peru of $4.7 million.
• Develop the educational rationale and conceptual framework for the project.
• Provide technical expertise and advice in the design of the Improving Basic Education project in all aspects of education policy analysis and education reform as a means to ensure the project feasibility.
• Examine the educational factors related to access, quality and efficiency of the education system relevant to the education reform process initiated by the national Ministry of Education and the Regional Directorate of Education in Piura, Peru.
• Carry out an institutional assessment of the conditions relevant to the implementation of capacity development initiatives in education to be included in the project.
• Assist in the preparation of the First-year Project Work Plan.

Outcomes

• Primary and secondary information on the state of education in the Department of Piura, Peru, collected and analysed leading to the selection of two Districts for the implementation of the project.
• Links established and consultations carried out with key partners in Peru, including relevant units in the Ministry of Education, Peruvian research institutions, members of the Canadian Embassy team, and other donor agencies as a means to identify education research priorities, existing technical capacity, and levels of support for the Canadian intervention.
• Selection criteria, indicators and data analysis matrixes prepared for the selection of implementation Districts, relevant target groups and beneficiaries, and areas in needs of capacity building interventions.
• An education policy framework outlining the rationale and methodology of the project prepared and circulated as an input into the Project Implementation Plan.
• A review of key components of the Project Implementation Plan using a Result Base Management approach (RBM), including the project methodology, logical framework, implementation and capacity development strategy, results framework, and risk and sustainability strategy. 

Expected Impact   

The project design, based on extensive consultations with Canadian and Peruvian partners, led to the preparation of a comprehensive Project Implementation Plan and a First Annual Work Plan submitted for review and approval by the Canadian International Development Agency and the Peruvian Ministry of Education.

The Project Implementation Plan reflects the education priorities established in a Cooperation Agreement established between the Peruvian and Canadian governments for the implementation of a five years project to improve basic education in Piura, Peru, in support of the country s education reform process.

This contribution will bring together Canadian expertise from the Executing Agency (Agriteam Canada Consulting), The College of the North Atlantic and the World University Service of Canada adding value to the efforts of the Peruvian government to:

* Improve the quality of initial and basic education,
* Improve school access and retention particularly of girls,
* Improve educational efficiency and effectiveness of the teaching-learning process as this relates to repetition and dropout,
* Improve teacher training under a model of continuous education,
* Develop teacher skills in adapting the curriculum to local rural education realities, and
* Improve the education system management and administration capacities.

The project will also allow CIDA s contribution to collaborate and complement education initiatives carried out by other donor agencies and development banks in Peru.

Report

The role of SDP in this activity concluded with the preparation of a the report Design and Rationale of the PROMEB Project as an input into the project implementation plan prepared by Agriteam Canada for CIDA. Available in Spanish.

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Promotion of CIES Institutional and Research Program in Washington DC, USA

Client:     Peru Consortium of Economic and Social Research.
                 Peruvian Network of more than 30 universities, research centres and public agencies.

Region / Country: Latin America.  Peru

Period: September 2001 June 2002

Field:  Analysis of Social and Economic Policies
            Training in Public Administration and Local Governance
            Monitoring of Poverty Alleviation Programs
            Public Education

Scope of Work        

• Preparation of a list of institutional and personal contacts in Washington DC interested in developing activities in the Andean Sub-region and in Peru.
• Production of information materials on the Consortium's activities and an agenda of meetings for introducing CIES' work to potential partner and funding institutions.
• Preparation of a project profiles portfolio of CIES' research and training priorities.
• Follow-up of to implement a mechanism for student internships and academic exchange between CIES' member institutions and George Washington University.
• Identification of opportunities for the organization of project identification meetings.
• Contact with US think-tanks in public education.
• Identification of new topics for policy and program interventions relevant to CIES' research and training activities.

Outcomes

• Key US institutions in Washington DC in policy analysis, public administration training, evaluation of poverty alleviation programs, and education knew about CIES and showed interested in its activities, and began discussions for future collaboration and partnerships.
• Information materials, project profiles and a portfolio of selected activities produced and circulated among universities, foundations, professional networks and development banks.
• An internship program organized at CIES' member institutions for students from the Centre for Latin American Issues (CLAI) of George Washington University.
• Linkages between CIES, CLAI and the World Bank Institute (WBI) established to carry out discussions for collaboration in the training of public officials and participation in the WBI distance education courses.
• Information on funding modalities and opportunities gathered from US networks including the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) / Inter American Network for Public Administration Education, the Pan American Development Foundation, and Partners of the Americas. 
• Information on funding modalities and opportunities gathered from American networks including the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) / Inter American Network for Public Administration Education, the Pan American Development Foundation, and Partners of the Americas. 
• Contact with a key network of American think-tanks in public education led by the University of Pennsylvania established to discuss joint activities with CIES.
• A select number of research, training, and development policy topics suggested to CIES to innovate and enrich its agenda following discussions with the Centre for Global Development, the World Bank Institute, and the Inter-American Development Bank.

Expected Impact

CIES expanded its network of contacts with US institutions, identifying topics and ways to innovate its research and training agenda.  The development of new institutional links assisted CIES in obtaining information to initiate and pursue fruitful forms of collaboration and partnerships with US institutions.

Based on information about CIES's activities received by institutions in Washington DC, expressions of interest in establishing collaboration and partnerships with the Consortium were identified, opening new opportunities for the joint preparation of research and training proposals and the exploration of funding opportunities from development banks and donors.

The implementation of training courses for public officials particularly at the local level- was identified as an area to concentrate future efforts, follow-up and collaboration with experienced Latin American institutions, US networks and universities, and the WBI. Potential support from US partners may include materials, professional advice and, in some cases, seed money for new activities.

The recommendations to CIES highlight the need for the Consortium to follow-up closely the pipeline of development banks in Washington DC and their representations in Lima in order to anticipate emerging opportunities. The recommendations also indicate the need to further focus CIES agenda, promote synergies between the Consortium agenda and its potential American partners, bring partners together around specific themes, and avoid dispersion of efforts.

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Social Policy Perspectives in Latin America

Client:       Instituto Interamericano para el Desarrollo Social (INDES)
                  Inter-American Development Bank (IADB)
           
Region / Country: Latin America

Period: 17 19 April 2002

Field: Policy Analysis, Capacity Building

Scope of Work        

• Contribute to a debate of key topics in social policy in the Latin American region considering different theoretical and methodological approaches.
• Participate in a debate on themes and priorities relevant to the training of social policy-makers and social managers as a meant to improve the design and management of social policies in the region.
• Prepare a contribution as an input into the debate addressing aspects such as: current social policy conceptualizations and orientations, relationships among different social policy approaches and methodologies, frameworks for social policy analysis and evaluation, processes related to the operation of social policies, and impact of social policies on social well-being.
• Present the contribution at an experts workshop in Washington DC.

Outcomes

• Strategy Paper Capacity Building in Social Policy Research and Training presented at a workshop of twelve Latin American experts in social policy.
• A capacity building perspective for training social managers identified based on a better understanding of the systemic factors influencing social policy performance and focusing on institutional and technical capacities
• A framework to social policy training developed emphasizing six characteristics: Equity oriented, policy inclusive, integrated across sectors, responsive, low cost, and based on information and communication technologies.
• A tentative agenda for research and training in social policy proposed around four inter-related areas: the political economy of social policies, social management practices, social policy innovations, and assessment of the effectiveness of social policy regimes.

Expected Impact   

The event Perspectives of Social Policy in Latin America brought together twelve social policies experts from the region.  The event addressed the following areas: Current and emerging social policy models, the relationships between policy and social integration, actors and institutions in social policy, analytical and management capacities for social policies.

INDES and the participants agreed to identify ways to maintain the relationships and debate established at the workshop through an informal forum of expects.  INDES established an electronic forum to facilitate the exchange of ideas and facilitate the communication between members of the group and INDES staff.

Report

The discussion paper Capacity Building in Social Policy Research and Training was presented at this event organized by INDES.. A Power Point presentation was also prepared for this event.

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Project Development and Identification of Funding Sources

Client:  REDUC - Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo de la Educación (CIDE).
              (REDUC is a Latin American Network of more than 22 universities, research centres
               and public agencies in 18 countries of the region.)

Region / Country: Latin America.

Period: November 2001 October 2002

Field:    Information on Education Innovations
              Public Education
              Information Systems

Scope of Work

• Review of proposal for expanding the REDUC program to produce information on educational innovations, train information specialists in education, and collaborate with the Educational Research Network in Eastern and Southern Africa (ERNESA).
• Prepare, in coordination with CIES, a final project proposal including complementary information.
• Prepare information materials on REDUC and ERNESA activities and accomplishments to disseminate among contacts and facilitate negotiations.
• Prepare, in coordination with CIDE-REDUC, a list of selected contacts from donor agencies and development banks.
• Organize meetings and a visit to agencies interested in the support of CIDE-REDUC.
• Follow-up and prepare progress reports.

Outcomes

Outcomes to date:

• Information materials, project profiles and a portfolio of selected activities produced and circulated among donor agencies and development banks.
• Donor agencies and development banks consulted about their interests in supporting the CIDE-REDC initiative, their current priorities on education information systems, and their funding requirement.
• Technical comments gathered from education experts on new directions as an input to CIDE-REDUC program planning as a means to expand funding opportunities and broaden the project impact.
• Marketing and dissemination plan prepared including new rounds of consultations and the implementation of a virtual forum for technical input.

Expected Impact
 
CIDE-REDUC will expand the scope of its technical support in the identification of new directions for the production of information materials on educational innovations, how to reach new clienteles, and how to expand the reach and impact of its training activities.

REDUC will expand its funding sources and opportunities for the continuation of its operations, increase its regional and inter-regional collaboration, and consolidate its current achievements.

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2001

ILO Program on Boosting Employment Through Small Enterprises /
Regional Assessment of Youth Livelihood and Employment Programs in L.A.

Client:       International Labour Office (ILO)
                   Boosting Employment through Small Enterprise Development Program (BESED). Geneva.

Region / Country: Latin America: Chile, Peru, and Uruguay

Period:    April 2001 July 2001
                November 2001 December 2001

Field:    Evaluation of Youth Livelihood and Employment Programs
              Design of an Assessment Framework and Data Collection Instrument

Scope of Work        

• Adaptation and translation into Spanish of a survey instrument.
• Identification and field evaluation of selected Youth Livelihood and Opportunities Programs in Latin America.
• Review of evaluation findings, identification of best practices and preparation of regional report as an input into a global assessment of youth livelihood programs (Africa, Asia and Latin America).
• Review regional studies (Africa, Asia and Latin America) and apply the findings and indicators of program effectiveness and efficiency to the re-design of an assessment framework for replication in other countries.
• Assist in the re-design of a theoretical assessment framework to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of on-going youth programs oriented to generate employment and livelihood opportunities.
• Re-design a program assessment tool and survey instrument originally prepared by the ILO team, and prepare a draft template for data analysis.

Outcomes

• A re-designed and adapted survey instrument for application in Latin American countries.
• Four evaluations of Youth Programs (one in Chile, two in Peru, and one in Uruguay) directed to create youth employment opportunities analysing their objectives, implementation strategies, reach and target populations, results and effectiveness.
• A comprehensive regional report identifying government and private best program practices and lessons learned in areas of youth employment programs, occupational skills development, social rehabilitation through work schemes, and school-to-work transition programs.
• Recommendations to the ILO-BESED Program on how to develop indicators to measure youth programs effectiveness and efficiency.
• Key research institutions and educational development centres in the countries under study strengthened their capacity to conduct evaluations of youth programs.
• A re-designed conceptual framework identifying the operational components of effective youth livelihood programs including their economic, political and social dimensions, the programs structure and organization, their mechanisms to respond to existing demands, their management structure, and their capacity to measure progress and results.
• A re-designed survey instrument reflecting the various dimensions of the conceptual framework to assess program effectiveness.
• Recommendations for the structure and design of self-assessment tools for youth program practitioners that could serve as a base to develop an Internet-based tool box to be made available to program implementers and donors. 

Expected Impact   

The technical assistance provided to the ILO-BESED Program and to the coordination of the regional teams strengthened their methodological approach in the on-going development of a program assessment system.  The review of the assessment framework and survey instrument based on the results of the field work has led the Program Coordination to undertake a new phase in the development of the project expected to build an on line site for youth program practitioners.

Based on the findings of the regional studies a variety of data gathering instruments and computer assisted self-assessment tools will be developed and made available through Internet to youth program practitioners.  Using the assessment framework developed by the project as a point of departure, existing youth programs would be able to assess on a continuous base the reach, effectiveness and operational efficiency of their activities in assisting youth to generate employment and livelihood opportunities.

Report

This activity concluded with the report Youth Programs In Latin America. Assessment Report. Chile, Peru, Uruguay submitted to the ILO Youth Livelihood and Enterprise Program.

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Social Investment Funds (FIS). Evaluation of Training Activities of the Red Social

Client:     Organization of American States (OAS)
                 Red Social de America Latina y el Caribe.
                 Network of Social Investment Funds (FIS) and other agencies.

Region / Country: Latin America   

Period: May  August 2001.

Field:  Program Evaluation
            Evaluation of on-the-job training for the implementation
            and evaluation of poverty alleviation programs.
 
Scope of Work        

• Assessment of lessons learned by the Red Social from horizontal cooperation activities among Funds for training FIS human resources.
• Examination of training activities taking into account predominant trends for reforming social policies and State institutions, which give civil society a more active role in social and economic development, and on decisions about the future of Social Investment Funds.
• Development of an assessment framework including: (a) FIS training for enhancing national capacities in social development management; (b) horizontal cooperation to share and systematize lessons learned; and (c) networking mechanisms for transferring knowledge and experiences.
• Identification of mechanisms to accelerate the generation of qualified human resources and the dissemination of innovations to improve the design, execution, and evaluation of more effective and efficient programs.
• Examination of the FISs as components of a social safety net to overcome poverty.   

Outcomes

• An examination of the Network activities giving especial attention to its regional program of internships supported by the Inter-American Development Bank.
• Validation of the agenda of relevant topics of interest for program officials and operators.  The agenda has not changed in a radical way as poverty problems and target groups remain basically the same.
• Identification of concerns about the institutionalization and effectiveness of FIS. New elements identified in the agenda were the need to update training on impact evaluation and how to improve current programs.
• Identification of the results of the Network.  These included the circulation of information among politicians, FIS Directors and personnel; the creation of a regional discussion forum for FIS personnel; and the implementation of a training framework internships, workshops, seminars, and annual conferences. 
• A training framework which gives the opportunity to FIS officials to take advantage of the experiences of different national Funds to create a community of professionals working in social programs, to demonstrate the usefulness of OAS' role as a promoter and facilitator of regional initiatives, and to identify needs to be met to redefine the role of the Funds.

Expected Impact   

The model proposed is expected to assist in the consolidation of the role of the Red Social based on lessons learned, achievements, and existing opportunities.  The model interrelates three axes: institutional strengthening of programs supported by the Funds, the training of human resources, and the utilization of new information and communication technologies (ICTs).

Report

The report Red Social de America Latina y el Caribe: Lecciones Aprendidas y Perspectivas de Cooperacion entre los Fondos de Inversion Social presents the resuls of this evaluation.

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Country Education Profiles. Southern Cone. Latin America

Client: Canadian International Development Agency. CIDA. Americas Branch.
            Ministry of International Cooperation. Government of Canada.               

Region / Country: Latin America. Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay

Period: March - August 2001

Field: Education Policy Analysis

Scope of Work        

• Review programming documentation prepared by CIDA staff on the Southern Cone countries development challenges, priorities, and other donors areas of concentration.
• Analyse and validate the country reviews prepared by CIDA staff in light of the research literature on the region s development problems and assess the country reviews appropriateness.
• In light of the country reviews, identify potential Canadian niches for future CIDA interventions.
• Prepare a strategy report for each country outlining their educational and development priorities.

Outcomes

• A comprehensive review submitted to CIDA s Americas Branch outlining Southern Cone countries development and education challenges, their stated policy priorities in education and a review of the role and activities of other international donors working in the sub-region.
• An analysis and validation of the country programming information prepared by CIDA staff using the research literature on Southern Cone countries development problems, program information from other donors, and official government documents on education and development priorities and policies.
• Canadian areas of comparative advantage in education at the institutional and experts level identified examining their potential relevance to the educational priorities of Southern Cone countries.
• Priority education areas for future programming identified and recommended to CIDA for consideration.
• Four country education profiles (Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay) produced and disseminated to CIDA program staff.

Expected Impact   

The review of CIDA programming in the Southern Cone provided the Agency with a validated overview of the development and education priorities in the target countries as a means to assist CIDA in future programming decision. It is expected that the country education profiles for Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay and the related analysis of available information will be an input into the Agency review of its programming framework in education for Southern Cone countries (Americas Branch 2000).

Using a program management framework as a reference, the analysis led to assess the countries strategies and their critical development needs. Based on this and other information future CIDA s efforts are likely to be better-targeted and more effective in transferring Canadian models and know-how.  The results of the exercise allowed to better inform CIDA project teams and their partners about the direction and focus of the Agency.

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World Summits and their Relevance to Canadian Domestic Social Policies

Client:     School of Policy Studies. Queen s University. Canada
                 International Institute on Social Policy
               
Region / Country: Global

Period : May July 2001

Field:    Social Policy Analysis
              International Cooperation

Scope of Work        

• Examine the level of relevance and impact of international Summit events and their recommendations on Canadian domestic social policy.
• Identify lessons learned and areas requiring further attention in light of Canadian social policy priorities through the organization of a round table workshop with key Canadian stakeholders to discuss the experience of Canadian institutions and their participation in Summit events.
• Prepare a synthesis report of the workshop presentations and conclusions.
• Make recommendations to the participant institutions for follow-up.

Outcomes

• A wide range of participants from Federal and Provincial governments, universities, and non-governmental organizations exchanged experiences related to their involvement in Summit events and identified lessons learned relevant to Canada.
• Participants reached consensus on the importance of international Summit events. Agreement was reached on the importance of Summit events as means to advance relevant social and human development agendas nationally and internationally.
• Participants highlighted the importance of processes leading to the preparation of Summit events in terms of the involvement of a wide range of stakeholders from governments and civil society.
• The Canadian experiences presented at the roundtable emphasized the overall domestic relevance of Summit events contributing to bridge existing social policy gaps between Federal and Provincial governments, promote inter-departmental collaboration and between government and civil society organizations, and advance Canadian values and concerns internationally.
• Participants agreed that Canadian domestic social policies have been enriched as a result of the influence of international Summits in specific areas, including poverty, the environment, gender, and globalizations, issues that are now more present in the domestic social policy discussions. 

Expected Impact   

The analysis of the round table discussions presented in the synthesis report reflected the need expressed by the participant of strengthening and broadening the participation of civil society organizations. The domestic processes leading to the preparation of international Summits provide a unique opportunity to address national social policy issues bringing together Provincial and Federal actors relevant to the main topic of the Summits.

World Summits offer opportunities in various fronts.  They provide government and civil society a different sighting of key development issues relevant both domestically and internationally.  Summits have contributed to bringing back to the table development concerns at times left behind by single-issue international agendas on economic growth and development.

To domestic social development and social policy concerns, Summits bring an added value of an international comparative perspective at a time of increasing global interdependence among nations. Internationally they offer a stage to compare experiences, learn from each other s practices and agree on framework standards and benchmarks in the pursuit of shared development goals and values.

The round table recommended that the Canadian government in particular must continue playing an active role facilitating the involvement of the civil society both domestically and abroad, and provide the necessary resources required to make this possible.

Report

The report World Summits and their Relance to Canadian Domestic Social Policies examines the impact on Canada of world summits events and presents a synthesis of the roundtable discussion.

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Reducing Poverty Through Social Development

Client:      Canadian International Development Agency. CIDA. Policy Branch
                 Ministry of International Cooperation. Government of Canada.               

Region / Country: Global

Period: February - May 2001

Field:    Social Policy Analysis
             Poverty Reduction Analysis
             Institutional Programming

Scope of Work        

• Review and analyse ways to enhance CIDA s organizational capacity and effectiveness in implementing its Social Development Priorities (SDP) Framework in the context of the Agency Policy on Poverty Reduction.
• Identify conceptual and programming issues relevant to the Agency poverty reduction strategy and propose means strategic and programming to enhance its level of impact.
• Identify and recommend speakers to participate in the round table to brief CIDA program staff.
• Prepare a framework paper examining CIDA s policies and practices relevant to poverty reduction.
• Coordinate in collaboration with CIDA staff the process leading to the organization of the Third Round Table on Poverty Reduction. 

Outcomes

• A framework paper presenting and overview of CIDA s Policy Reduction Policy and its linkages with its Social Development Priorities (SDP) Framework circulated to CIDA staff prior to the Round Table.
• An analysis of future programming implications in the implementation of CIDA s Social Development Priorities (SDP) Framework as a means to address the various dimensions of poverty examining the Agency priorities and the poverty reduction strategies of other donors and international agencies.
• Materials and guidelines designed to guide the identification and analysis of case studies relevant to the agenda of the round table highlighting lessons learned based on CIDA programming experiences.
• An examination of CIDA s approaches, programs and projects applied by various Branches of the Agency to meet the objectives of its Poverty Reduction Policy and develop operation linkages with its Social Development Priority Framework. 

Expected Impact   

The analysis of CIDA s efforts linking its Poverty Reduction Policy (PRP) and its Social Development Priorities (SDP) Framework led to the identification of program and program management issues CIDA program staff and the Agency management need to follow up to better integrate the PRP and the SDD Framework at the operational level.  The program experiences to date and the conceptual and potential overlaps that may exists in the current efforts to integrate the PRP and the SDP Framework can lead the Agency to underestimate the complexities of achieving the goals of its poverty reduction policy risking to perceive poverty reduction and social development as one and the same.

The challenges ahead facing CIDA are both of achieving greater conceptual clarity as well as taking stock of cases of success and failure, changing ingrained program practices, limited resources, and rapidly changing global conditions.  Linking effectively the SDP Framework and the PRP at the operational level will depend on the ability of CIDA s management and staff to re-adapt systems and programming practices to new and more collaborative ways of working.

Maximizing resources and impact through cross-sectoral and integrative approaches under new forms of partnership with governments, institutions in the South, and with other agencies requires a willingness to be pro-active on many fronts.  It requires integrating into the Agency practices the ongoing assessment of its own experiences, the critical analysis of the extent to which programming reflects a corporate vision, the fluid exchange of information, and the measurement of progress.

Report

The background paper Moving Forward. Reducing Poverty through Social Development addresses the concepual and operational implications for CIDA to implement its Social Development Prioritiers(SDP) within the context of its Policy on Poverty Reduction (PPR), including the need to adap systems and programming practices to reach greater coherence across the Agency.

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Regional Education Strategy for Latin America and the Caribbean

Clients:    US Agency for International Development. USAID. Latin America and  Caribbean Bureau. (LAC)
                 Creative Associates International. CAII. Washington DC

Region / Country: Latin America

Period: January 2001 March 2001

Field:    Evaluation of the USAID-LAC Regional Education Strategy assistance and activities
             Education Policy Analysis

Scope of Work        

• Examine the USAID-LAC education strategy for Latin America and the Caribbean to ensure that USAID resources are effectively utilized in support to education in the region.
• Analyse the role of the LAC Regional Education Strategy in supporting poverty reduction.
• Assess the impact of the LAC Regional Education Strategy in light of regional education priorities and USAID resources.
• Propose policy recommendations to orient the LAC Regional Education Strategy over the next five years. 

Outcomes

• A comprehensive five years regional education strategy submitted to the USAID Latin America and Caribbean Bureau, Education and Human Resources Team (HER) outlining priority areas and possible programming approaches.
• Assessment of the role and impact of the existing LAC Regional Education Strategy identifying niches of comparative advantage, opportunities for collaboration with other donors, and forms of partnership to respond demands from countries in the region.
• Review of the current USAID project portfolios in consultation with the LAC-HER team and the country missions.
• Assessment of USAID LAC investment patterns, target institutions and opportunities examining activities and results frameworks.
• Assessment of the complementarities of the LAC-HER strategy and the programs and activities of the USAID country missions.
• Review and analysis of the level of coordination of the LAC Regional Education Strategy with similar strategies of other donors, including the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, CIDA, en European donors.
• Review of findings from other evaluations of USAID-LAC supported programs in the region as a means to identify gaps and complementarities.
• Review of key education issues, including:

     *    The role of the Summit of the Americas and its education agenda.
     *    The role and priority of supporting secondary education under the LAC strategy.
     *    The priority to be assigned by the LAC Regional Education Strategy to early childhood education.
     *    The priority of teacher training and education in the LAC Regional Education Strategy.
     *    The relationships of the LAC Strategy to other social sectors, including health and HIV/AIDS.     

• A strategy results framework and indicators to guide the review of the LAC-HER five years education strategy. 

Expected Impact   

Resulting from this project the USAID-LAC developed and implemented a new five years regional strategy in education for Latin America and the Caribbean. The results framework based on the findings of the evaluation contribute to further focusing the LAC-HER programs in the region, improving the coordination between the LAC-HER office in Washington DC and the USAID country Missions, and exploring opportunities for collaboration and complementarities in education and with other donors.

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Evaluation of PREAL. Program for the Promotion of Educational Reform in Latin America and the Caribbean

Clients:       Creative Associate International (CAII). Washington DC
                    George Washington University. Washington DC

Region / Country: Latin America

Period: November 2000 March 2001

Field: Program Evaluation and Policy Analysis of the Regional Program, PREAL, funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

Scope of Work        

• Participate as main education specialist in an evaluation team in the design of a program evaluation model within the guidelines provided by USAID under its Basic Education and Policy Support Program (BESP).
• Collect and analyse relevant data in selected countries (Chile, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Peru) where PREAL maintain coordinating centres for its regional activities.
• Prepare country evaluation reports assessing ongoing PREAL regional activities, identifying areas in need of further strengthening, and presenting policy recommendations to USAID Latin America and Caribbean Bureau as an input into the development of its regional strategy and future funding decisions.
• Prepare a comprehensive report presenting the findings of the evaluation and including policy and programming recommendations to PREAL to increase the effectiveness of its regional activities. 

Outcomes

• An evaluation of the program, reach and dissemination regional activities of the main coordination offices of PREAL in Santiago, Chile, and Washington DC
• An evaluation of the program, reach and dissemination country and regional activities of the PREAL coordinating centres in Peru, Nicaragua.
• A survey instrument to assess PREAL reach and impact among institutional and individual stakeholders including research and academic institutions, government departments, non-governmental organizations, and policy makers.
• An assessment of the reach, use, effectiveness and relevance of the research and information materials produced by PREAL and disseminated across the region, including Task Force reports, books, working papers, newsletters, and reports on best practices.
• Recommendations to the Coordination of PREAL and to USAID on the following areas:  

* Priority education issue in the region related to access and quality of education achievements of education reforms processes, education decentralization, teacher training, and evaluation of student achievements as a means to assist PREAL to further focus its research and dissemination activities.
* Options to strengthen the linkages between research and policy in education by strengthening existing mechanisms for consultation and feedback with policy-makers.
* More effective means to improving existing consultation and feedback mechanisms with the users of PREAL results and materials concerning their relevance and use.
* Improvement of the PREAL Web site and Internet communication to facilitate use on line of materials, promote on line discussions, receive feedback, and facilitate overall access to the PREAL resources.
* Effectiveness of PREAL dissemination and partnership strategy in the region as a means to reach a wider range of potential users and collaborate more closely with donor agencies.

• A comprehensive report presenting the findings of the evaluation submitted to USAID including an assessment of the effectiveness of USAID investments in the Program and recommendations on priorities for the future funding of PREAL. 

Expected Impact   

The analysis and assessment of PREAL activities and the identification of its achievements in terms of level of impact across the region was presented to USAID and applied by the LAC unit in the re-design of its regional education strategy. As a result of the evaluation, USAID renewed the funding of PREAL. To date, the Coordination of the Program has implemented the recommendations.  PREAL continues to be one of the main regional education initiatives examining the processes of education reform.

Report

The report Evaluation of the Programa de Promocion de la Reforma Educativa en America Latina, presents the findings of the in-depth evaluation of the PREAL program.

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Strategy Framework for Programming in Education for the Americas

Client:       Canadian International Development Agency CIDA. Americas Branch.
                  Ministry of International Cooperation. Government of Canada.

Region / Country: Latin America

Period: November 2000 January 2001

Field: Education Reform / Policy Analysis / Program Planning

Scope of Work

• Preparation of a strategic framework to assist CIDA in the development of the Americas Branch Education Strategy (ABES) for Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Identification and analysis of key education problems, challenges and issues in the region.
• Identification of strategies and programming options for addressing these issues emerging from best practices and lessons learned.
• Identification of relevant Canadian capacities, areas of comparative advantage and relevant institutional expertise and resources in education.
• Review and identification of bilateral and multilateral experiences and opportunities for partnership to be considered by CIDA in its programming in education.

Outcomes

• A Strategic Framework for Programming in Education for the Americas submitted to CIDA's Americas Branch reviewing the state of education in Latin America and the Caribbean, identifying priority issues and gaps in education, and proposing policy and programming recommendations.
• Technical input into the preparation of the Agency Action Education Plan on Basic Education (April, 2002) identifying priorities and areas of concentration for supporting education in the region.
• Priority issues identified for consideration by the Agency in future programming, including: 

     *   Redistributing educational opportunities for boys and girls.
     *   Improving educational quality and learning.
     *   Establishing monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to measure learning and teaching standards.
     *   Strengthening teachers and institutional capacities.
     *   Strengthening governance and accountability systems in education.
     *   Expanding funding option (public and private).
     *   Promoting the identification and replication of best practices in education.
     *   Promoting educational innovations including the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).

Expected Impact   

Resulting from this activity CIDA s Americas Branch was presented with a comprehensive examination of the current state of education in Latin America and the Caribbean. The Agency will be better positioned to identify key priority areas to improve the quality of education, strengthen the effectiveness of the teaching-learning process and the capacity of teachers, and to improve monitoring, evaluation and accountability standards at the system level.

Education programming in the Americas will require from CIDA to address selectively crucial development and education challenges in an integrated manner and in partnership with national government and local research and educational development institutions. The Agency should look for a close integration of its programs in education with its overall Poverty Reduction Policy in order to make education changes and reforms sustainable and inclusive, oriented towards reducing persistent inequalities, reinforcing democratic processes of participation, and contributing to distribute the benefits of growth and globalization more equitably. The Agency will be also better positioned to complete the development of its Action Plan in Basic Education as an integral part of its Social Development Priorities Framework.

Report

This activity led to the preparation of a comprehensive report, Strategy Framework for Programming in Education for the Americas, outlining the current state of education in the region, the challenges ahead and the options available to CIDA. The report concludes by looking at possible areas of intervention to achieve greater impact.

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