Decolonising Policy Processes and Monitoring and Evaluation Practices: Towards a More Inclusive Approach

Anemarie Gasser

Hatched by Anemarie Gasser

May 12, 2024

3 min read

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Decolonising Policy Processes and Monitoring and Evaluation Practices: Towards a More Inclusive Approach

Introduction:

In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the need to decolonize various academic fields and practices. This includes policy processes and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) practices, which have historically been rooted in Western perspectives and approaches. To address this issue, scholars and practitioners are exploring alternative methods and frameworks that can provide a more inclusive and equitable understanding of policy processes and M&E. This article aims to explore two distinct but related topics: the use of process tracing methods to study policy processes and the decolonization of M&E practices.

Understanding Policy Processes Through Process Tracing:

Process tracing is a research method that allows scholars to understand how policies are developed and implemented over time. It involves tracing the causal mechanisms that shape policy outcomes by collecting and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data. In his YouTube video, Prof Derek Beach explains the key components of process tracing and its relevance to studying policy processes. By focusing on the mechanisms and processes that drive policy change, process tracing offers a nuanced understanding of how policies are formulated, negotiated, and implemented.

Decolonising Monitoring and Evaluation Practices:

M&E practices have traditionally been dominated by Western methodologies and frameworks, often neglecting the diverse voices and experiences of marginalized communities. This has led to a limited understanding of the impact and effectiveness of policies and interventions. The webinar on decolonizing M&E practices highlights the need to challenge the dominant paradigms and create more inclusive approaches to evaluation. By incorporating local knowledge, empowering communities, and embracing diverse methodologies, decolonized M&E practices aim to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the complexities and nuances surrounding policy implementation and outcomes.

Connecting the Dots:

While process tracing and decolonizing M&E practices may seem like separate topics, there are common points that connect them. Both approaches seek to challenge the dominant Western perspectives and methodologies that have shaped policy processes and M&E practices. By emphasizing the need to incorporate diverse voices, local knowledge, and alternative methodologies, these approaches aim to create a more inclusive and equitable understanding of policy development and evaluation.

Unique Insights:

In addition to the common points, there are unique insights that each approach offers. Process tracing provides a systematic and rigorous way of studying policy processes, allowing researchers to identify the causal mechanisms that shape policy outcomes. On the other hand, decolonizing M&E practices offers a transformative perspective that challenges the power dynamics embedded in traditional evaluation approaches. By centering the voices and experiences of marginalized communities, decolonized M&E practices can uncover the unintended consequences of policies and interventions, leading to more informed decision-making processes.

Actionable Advice:

  • 1. Embrace diverse methodologies: To decolonize both policy processes and M&E practices, it is crucial to incorporate diverse methodologies that challenge the dominant Western perspectives. This can include participatory approaches, indigenous research methods, and qualitative data collection techniques that prioritize local knowledge and experiences.
  • 2. Empower local communities: In order to create a more inclusive understanding of policy outcomes, it is important to empower local communities and involve them in the decision-making and evaluation processes. This can be achieved by building partnerships, fostering meaningful engagement, and valuing local knowledge and expertise.
  • 3. Challenge power dynamics: To truly decolonize policy and evaluation practices, it is necessary to challenge the power dynamics inherent in these processes. This involves questioning the authority of Western knowledge, amplifying marginalized voices, and actively working towards dismantling the structures that perpetuate inequality.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, decolonizing policy processes and M&E practices is an ongoing and necessary endeavor. By utilizing process tracing methods to study policy processes and embracing alternative methodologies and frameworks for evaluation, we can move towards a more inclusive and equitable understanding of policies and their impact. By incorporating diverse perspectives, empowering local communities, and challenging power dynamics, we can create more informed and transformative policy processes and evaluation practices.

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