Starting on the Same Page: A Lessons Report from the Peacebuilding Evaluation Project

Authors: Melanie Kawano-Chiu

Publisher: Alliance for Peacebuilding with support from the United States Institute of Peace

Publication date: Summer 2011

Abstract: To ensure that the learning and conversation in Peacebuilding Evaluation Project (PEP) benefits the wider peacebuilding field, USIP published a Special Report by Andrew Blum entitled “Improving Peacebuilding Evaluation: A Whole-of-Field Approach” and AfP published this lessons report. All the information in this document is based on input and insights made by PEP participants during PEP meetings, calls with PEP participants, or online discussions. This document is not a direct report on those discussions. The recommendations in this reference document are the responsibility of the author and contributing authors, not the PEP participants.

Contents:

1            Introduction 4

2            Section One: The Current State of Peacebuilding Evaluation 7

3            Section Two: Debunking the Five Most Common Myths 10

4            A Common Purpose 14

5            The Need to Illustrate Impact and Effective Programming 18

6            Support Systems & Organizational Cultures 22

7            Conclusions 26

8            Appendices 32

About the Authors:

Melanie Kawano-Chiu is the Program Director for the Alliance for Peacebuilding.