Ninth International Conference of the International Program Evaluation Network (IPEN)
24-26 September 2009, Kyiv, Ukraine
Conference theme: Program Monitoring and Evaluation MethodologyIn recent years, public authorities, international organizations, business and non-profit organizations have placed a greater emphasis on program and project monitoring and evaluation in our region. Evaluation helps improve an organization’s operating efficiency in making managerial decisions and monitoring their implementation. The number of experts specializing in evaluation is growing. Experts continue to expand their range of delivered services and grow in competency. Even from the developmental stage of a project, evaluation is more frequently playing an integral role. The practical application of evaluation standards and principles are being more widely applied. Within the field of evaluation, international organizations are being established as international cooperation develops. As the use of evaluation as a managerial tool increases, so also does the need ensure quality evaluation procedures. First and foremost, quality evaluation is determined by whether or not it is conducted and planned correctly from a methodological point of view. Therefore, the question of proper evaluation methodology is a determining issue in today’s monitoring context. The Ninth Annual Conference of The International Program Evaluation Network (IPEN) will focus on program monitoring and evaluation methodology. At the conference, special attention will be given to the approaches the European Union has taken in regard to monitoring and evaluation. The following topics will be considered during the conference: - Methodology and Tools for Evaluating Government programs. Due to the introduction of results-based budgeting (RBB) practices, government authorities in CIS countries have displayed a greater interest in evaluating program and project effectiveness. Which evaluation mechanisms are the most effective for state authorities? Which evaluation methods and tools are most popular among state authorities?
Methodology and Tools for Evaluating Technical Assistance programs. The governments of many foreign countries provide technical assistance programs to CIS countries. Which methods and tools do these foreign countries use to evaluate the results of such assistance? How can the effectiveness and impact of the technical assistance programs be evaluated? Methodology and Tools for Evaluating Corporate Sponsored Social programs. In what way are corporate sponsored social programs specific and how does this specificity influence the evaluation methodology applied to these programs? Which methods and tools are normally used to evaluate such programs? How can the impact of the corporate social responsibility programs be evaluated? Methodology and Tools for Evaluating NGO programs. Non-governmental and non-profit organizations in our region have been using program evaluation tools for a long time. Which approaches have proved to be the most effective ones? What methodological complications have NGOs faced when conducting evaluations? How can evaluation potential be developed in the non-governmental sector? Methodology and Tools for Self Evaluations. What methodological differences exist between self and external evaluations? What are possible methodological complications that could arise during a self evaluation and how can they be they overcome? To what extent can one trust results produced through self evaluations and how can the results be applied? General Questions Concerning Evaluation Methodology. How and to what extent does evaluation methodology depend on the nature of the program? How does one select the right evaluation methods and tools? How are quantitative and qualitative evaluation methodologies combined? How can one effectively organize the collection and use of data? How does one interpret the results of the evaluation? How does one present the results of the evaluation? How does one prepare a good report based on the evaluation results? General Questions Concerning Program and Project Monitoring Methodology. How does one develop a project monitoring system? On what does the system’s effectiveness depend? How does one go about properly formulating the project indicators? How do the specifics of implementing monitoring systems vary from sector to sector? - European Union Approaches and Criteria for program and Project Evaluation. In 2008 the European Union introduced new development assistance instrument by replacing TACIS with the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI). The EU simultaneously improved project and programs evaluation approaches while introducing new evaluation instruments. What are the criteria the EU uses to evaluate project proposals? How can one learn to “read” and “understand” the program evaluation criteria utilized by the EU? What standards does the EU use to evaluate programs? During the conference, participants will also have an opportunity to discuss any topics related to program monitoring and evaluation methodology.
The deadline for electronic submission of your application is 6:00pm (GMT+2) May 25, 2009. Applicants will be selected on a competition-basis by the organizing committee. The results of the competition and the conference schedule will be posted no later than June 20, 2009. The organizing committee welcomes applications for leading panel discussions and sessions. The duration of each session is 1.5 hours. Each session should include 2-4 presentations on one topic. When submitting an application for leading a session, candidates should include a cover letter with their application that justifies the relevance of the proposed topic and indicates the title and sequence of each presentation. The cover letter should also include the name of a moderator for the proposed session. One of the speakers or a specially-invited guest may act as the moderator. Applications must be submitted in the standard format. | 
