The Evaluation of Policy Coherence for Development

Abstract

The promotion of human welfare in the zones of turmoil and transition can no longer be evaluated simply by examining the degree to which aid programs and projects achieve their relevant objectives efficiently. With globalization, the rules of the game that govern the international economy have become pivotal. Yet, the policies that govern trade, investment, migration, knowledge flows, environmental protection and human security have escaped systematic evaluation. To help ascertain the impact of rich countries’ policies on the economic and social prospects of poor countries, evaluators must broaden the scope of their assessments and examine the combined impact of aid and non-aid policies on poor countries. Following an overview of policy coherence for development (PCD) monitoring and evaluation concepts and activities, the article explores evaluation options designed to account for the development impact of rich countries’ policies and to encourage greater synergy among rich countries’ policies in support of global poverty reduction.