Evaluation in Violently Divided Societies: Politics, Ethics and Methods

Those who work in support of peacebuilding and development initiatives are acutely
aware that conflict-affected environments are volatile, unpredictable and fast-changing.
In light of this reality, evaluation and research in the service of peacebuilding and
development is a complex enterprise. Theories of change and assumptions about how
peace and development work are often unarticulated or untested. While much work
continues to be done on the theories, methodologies and praxis of peacebuilding, we
suggest that the international aid community, researchers and practitioners need to think
more deeply and systematically about the role of evaluation in increasing the efficacy of
projects and programmes in violently divided societies (VDS).