Both localization and evidence have gained currency and become central to the policy and practice of international development among public and private donors and implementers alike. As part of its interest to help determine how best to assist countries in need while fostering their self-sufficiency --- the Tobias Center for Innovation in International Development at the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies at Indiana University will convene a full-day workshop on localization in sustainable development monitoring, evaluation, research and learning (MERL). The workshop will comprise facilitated, interactive roundtable conversations with featured speakers along with keynote remarks covering several leading themes in the study and practice of development. The forum will bring together scholars, experts, practitioners and policymakers to share and discuss evidence and insights, identify gaps and outline opportunities for further research and collaboration. HLS student rapporteurs will summarize the deliberations into a workshop brief.
This intimate workshop has limited space for audience members. To inquire about attending (free of charge), please contact tobiasdv@iu.edu.
Session 1: Understanding the landscape: the “what and why”
During this session participants will explain the rationale for and define localization, unpack the nexus with MERL, and explore how factors like culture or corruption come into play. We’ll outline key challenges to localizing MEL and discuss measuring progress on localization as well as maximizing aid effectiveness through localization and MERL.
Speakers
- Annette Brown, Chief Evidence and Strategy Officer, FHI360
- Celeste Ghiano, Coordinator, Latin American and Caribbean Network of Monitoring, Evaluation and Systemization (ReLAC)
- Mark Meassick, Deputy Assistant Administrator, USAID
- Gunjan Veda, Executive Director, The Movement for Community-led Development
- Nicole Goldin, Executive Principal, NRG Advisory (moderator)
Session 2: Best Practices in Localization M-E-R-L: the “how”
This session will bring out the evidence and help move from theory to practice, including with concrete, project examples from the ground. Specific design and delivery questions we’ll aim to answer include for example: How to make space for and center locally produced knowledge; how to build and strengthen localization infrastructure to improve MERL; what to do when local knowledge does harm and how to mitigate risks; how to enable and engage host country independent consultants.
Speakers
- Rajeev Colaco, MERLA Director, RTI International
- Meghan Mahoney, Global Director of Research, Measurement, and Evaluation, Educate!
- Christina Synowiec, Practice Lead for Evaluation and Adaptive Learning, Results for Development
- Teshome Alemneh, Associate Vice President for International Research and Development, Indiana University (moderator)
Lunch Keynote with David Ameyaw, President and CEO of International Center for Evaluation and Development
Session 3: Inclusion and diversity in localizing MERL: diversifying the “who”
Broad-based equity and inclusion in development has also emerged as another priority in development and is an important factor in optimizing localization and MERL. This session will explore designing MERL and doing localization that targets women, youth, indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities. Building on best practices, this session will also discuss the specific considerations in safeguarding these specific groups.
Speakers
- Indira Aluwali, Senior Advisor, Palladium
- Medhi Bousnina, Atlas Corps Fellow, Transparency and Accountability Initiative
- Nikita Khanna, Head of Impact and Learning, Restless Development (participating virtually)
- Tyas Pusposari, Learning and Evaluation Officer, Global Fund for Women
- Kazeem Sanuth, Associate Director, National African Language Resource Center, Indiana University (moderator)
Session 4: Advancing academia, MERLing the MER: the “way forward”
This session of the workshop will focus on the academy, surface evidence gaps, and discuss how faculty and researchers across the Global North and South can collaborate to mitigate risks and maximize the opportunities for localization through utilizing data and AI in MERL, make durable partnerships, engage students, publish and disseminate research.
Speakers
- Mark Abrahams, Editor in Chief, African Journal of Evaluation (participating virtually)
- Jennifer Brinkerhoff, Professor, George Washington University
- Allison Youatt Schnable, Associate Professor, Indiana University
- Shyam Singh, Professor, Institute of Rural Management Anand, Chief Editor Asia Pacific Journal of Evaluation (participating virtually)
- Elisheva Cohen, Senior Associate Director of Experiential Learning and Professional Development, Indiana University (moderator)