IEG

2009 Annual Review of Development Effectiveness: Achieving Sustainable Development

October 30 2009 12:22:21 -0400

The global financial crisis has driven up demand for World Bank support to mitigate the effects of the crisis on the poor. At the same time, concern has intensified that every development dollar be used effectively and efficiently to meet development objectives. Although it has always been important for the Bank to demonstrate that its work is producing real results for people living in poverty, it is particularly critical to do so this year. The Annual Review of Development Effectiveness 2009 presents the World Bank�s record of performance in achieving outcomes from its projects and country programs and focuses on the Bank's contributions in supporting environmental sustainability.

Evaluation to Help Improve Development Results: A New Paper by the Director General of IEG

October 30 2009 12:22:22 -0400

This new paper by IEG Director General Vinod Thomas addresses a twofold question on evaluation. First, it deals with the question of the "what" � the need for evaluation methods and institutional frameworks to respond to the growing uncertainties and complexity of development situations. The paper notes the lasting validity of some of the basics in evaluation, and the need to return to the basics. But it also suggests shifts needed to respond to emerging issues, such as growing interlinkages across sectors. Second, it discusses the "how." In particular, there are issues of capacity building, incentives, and organization that are necessary for an independent evaluation function to be effective within a country�s institutional architecture.

New Monitoring and Evaluation Resource: Mexico's M and E System: Scaling Up from the Sectoral to the National Level

October 30 2009 12:22:25 -0400

This paper provides a brief review of Mexico's progressive movement from a sectoral to a governmentwide M and E system. It highlights the critical institutional reforms introduced, the policy decisions, and the most important operational steps that were taken, offering an account of the political context within which such changes and decisions were possible. The paper emphasizes the specific role of the National Council for the Evaluation of Social Policy (CONEVAL) as an innovative development, which furthered institutionalization of evaluation and a results focus at the federal government level through the implementation of the System for Performance Evaluation (SED). A quick review of the governmentwide system�s strengths and main challenges for the future is offered. Some lessons for other countries and conclusions follow.