Policy Press
2 Evaluation in the Middle East and North Africa region: progress, persisting challenges, and pathways forward
Abstract
This chapter critically examines evaluation procedures in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, highlighting successes, challenges, and future directions. MENA nations – Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen – remain committed to the Paris Declaration’s aid effectiveness for results, and mutual accountability. This dedication has boosted regional interest in evaluation procedures. The chapter also analyses the progress that has been made in the evaluation of institutionalisation in the MENA region. National evaluation societies in MENA nations have encouraged evaluation and created communities of practice of evaluation experts. However, the ongoing difficulties in the MENA region must be acknowledged. These challenges include authoritarian rule, a lack of transparency, and restrictions on civil liberties, which hinder policy making informed by the findings of evaluation. These issues are further complicated by poor stakeholder communication and a lack of collaboration. The chapter consequently emphasises the need for major cultural shifts, greater transparency, and more appreciation for feedback and data-driven decision making as part of its broader discussion of strategies to increase the use of evaluation processes in the MENA region.
Abstract
This chapter critically examines evaluation procedures in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, highlighting successes, challenges, and future directions. MENA nations – Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen – remain committed to the Paris Declaration’s aid effectiveness for results, and mutual accountability. This dedication has boosted regional interest in evaluation procedures. The chapter also analyses the progress that has been made in the evaluation of institutionalisation in the MENA region. National evaluation societies in MENA nations have encouraged evaluation and created communities of practice of evaluation experts. However, the ongoing difficulties in the MENA region must be acknowledged. These challenges include authoritarian rule, a lack of transparency, and restrictions on civil liberties, which hinder policy making informed by the findings of evaluation. These issues are further complicated by poor stakeholder communication and a lack of collaboration. The chapter consequently emphasises the need for major cultural shifts, greater transparency, and more appreciation for feedback and data-driven decision making as part of its broader discussion of strategies to increase the use of evaluation processes in the MENA region.
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents iii
- List of figures and tables iv
- Notes on contributors vi
- Public policy evaluation in the Middle East and North Africa region: politics and context 1
- Evaluation in the Middle East and North Africa region: progress, persisting challenges, and pathways forward 24
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National evaluation systems
- National evaluation policies in the Gulf region 45
- Evaluation in Jordan’s public sector: a survey of current practices, barriers, and enablers for institutionalisation 70
- Challenges and realities of public policy evaluation in Yemen: insights from a conflict-affected context 96
- Egypt’s journey in policy evaluation: challenges and reforms 115
- The journey towards institutionalising public policy evaluation in Morocco 136
- Building a national evaluation system in Tunisia: challenges and pathways post-revolution 157
-
Conclusion and path forward
- A framework for capacity development of policy evaluation in the Arab world: a multi-level approach 181
- Future of public policy evaluation in the Middle East and North Africa region 204
- Index 229
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents iii
- List of figures and tables iv
- Notes on contributors vi
- Public policy evaluation in the Middle East and North Africa region: politics and context 1
- Evaluation in the Middle East and North Africa region: progress, persisting challenges, and pathways forward 24
-
National evaluation systems
- National evaluation policies in the Gulf region 45
- Evaluation in Jordan’s public sector: a survey of current practices, barriers, and enablers for institutionalisation 70
- Challenges and realities of public policy evaluation in Yemen: insights from a conflict-affected context 96
- Egypt’s journey in policy evaluation: challenges and reforms 115
- The journey towards institutionalising public policy evaluation in Morocco 136
- Building a national evaluation system in Tunisia: challenges and pathways post-revolution 157
-
Conclusion and path forward
- A framework for capacity development of policy evaluation in the Arab world: a multi-level approach 181
- Future of public policy evaluation in the Middle East and North Africa region 204
- Index 229
