Uncovering the Politics of "Evidence"

Rosalind Eyben, IDS, discusses the power and politics of the evidence discourse during the UNRISD Seminar Series event: Uncovering the Politics of "Evidence".

Hard evidence, rigorous data, tangible results, value for money -- all are tantalizing terms promising clarity for the international development sector. Yet behind these terms lie definitional tussles, vested interests and contested world views that Rosalind Eyben's presentation aims to uncover in order to make the results-and-evidence agenda a legitimate subject of debate.

She criticizes the evidence- and results-based approach as reductionist, which treats "people not as citizens with voice but as patients needing treatment". These tools have power because they have an impact on which programmes get funded. However, just as tools and methods shape practice, so context-specific practice shapes the tools. Their power is neither uniform nor constant. There is room for manoeuvre.

For more information, go to www.unrisd.org/seminar-eyben.

Видео Uncovering the Politics of "Evidence" канала UNRISD