The flagship course, Evaluating Social Programs, concluded on August 23, 2024, after an intensive week-long session. Organized by J-PAL Africa in collaboration with Development Impact West Africa (DIWA), the course was designed for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners eager to deepen their expertise in evaluating the impact of social programs and policies.
Participants from across the globe—including Togo, Nigeria, Malawi, the United Kingdom, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Benin, Rwanda, Cameroon, Kenya, Tanzania, Niger, Morocco, Ethiopia, the Central African Republic, and Burkina Faso—gained invaluable insights into the necessity of rigorous social impact evaluations. They learned how to design randomized evaluations in real-world contexts, explored strategies to enhance policy influence, and assessed the generalisability of research findings.
In his opening remarks, Prof. Charles Amoatey, Director of DIWA, emphasized the critical role of evaluations in shaping effective policies. He highlighted several evaluations conducted by DIWA and discussed how these efforts are influencing policy decisions across the subregion.
The various sessions were facilitated by experts viz., Prof. Charles Amoatey, Clare Hofmeyr, Dr. Monica Lambon-Quayefio, Sarah Kopper, Dr. Edward Asiedu, Richard Kingsford Otoo, and Tessie Lezcano. The course also featured interactive group discussions and presentations, enabling participants to collaborate, share experiences, and apply their learning in practical scenarios.
We are pleased to have played a key role in facilitating such insightful training. We are confident that participants will apply the knowledge gained to drive positive change in their respective regions.
