An evaluation of policy dialogue in the Australian aid program
The Office of Development Effectiveness (ODE) at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade strives to find stronger evidence for more effective aid. ODE monitors the performance of the Australian aid program, evaluates its impact and contributes to international evidence and debate about aid and development effectiveness.
As part of its evaluation into the aid program’s engagement in policy dialogue – Thinking and Working Politically: An evaluation of policy dialogue in AusAID – ODE commissioned a think piece by PiPP executive director, Derek Brien.
Presented as a Pacific perspective on more effective donor engagement in policy dialogue, Derek’s think piece suggests the need for better engagement and understanding so that there may ultimately be a meeting of minds on the common development expectations, and the means to achieve them.
The evaluation also included a literature review of international best practice, case studies from Indonesia and Solomon Islands, interviews with AusAID staff and a web-based staff survey.
Broadly, the evaluation recommended that policy dialogue be better incorporated into the agency’s practices by:
- promoting a common understanding and providing senior direction on policy dialogue
- embedding policy dialogue into aid management practices
- ensuring policy dialogue is properly resourced
- supporting the skills development of staff.
In our region we have over one thousand languages, and a cultural make up that is as diverse as it comes. Some rules of engagement cross cultural boundaries, and some don’t. The way one person says something, is not necessarily the way the other person hears it. Engaging in policy dialogue in this context is about effective communication: building trust, understanding and consensus for action.
