History

HISTORY

IDEAS was conceived to help build a community of development evaluators through a professional association that would be:

global
voluntary
inclusive and pluralistic
responsive to the particular needs of developing and transition countries
an advocate for networking, capacity building, and exchange of knowledge
led with representative governance
proactive in supporting regional and national efforts to promote development evaluation.

Proactive support was offered by DFID, DGIS, SDC, World Bank, and UNDP.

CHRONOLOGY

2001

In May, a meeting was held in London, sponsored by UNDP, the World Bank and DFID, after a period of broad consultation. The meeting brought together 24 development evaluators and practitioners, and led to the adoption of what is termed the London Declaration on the Establishment of IDEAS.
In July, an interim steering committee of 9 persons (six from developing countries and three from developed countries) was created, with the task of developing specific proposals for the creation of the constitution, a work plan, a financial plan, and legal incorporation in the UK.

2002

The ISC held a subsequent meeting in New York, in January, where it was decided that a formal launch of IDEAS would take place in September of 2002 in Beijing, China. A Constituent Assembly would convene at that time to vote on the officers and governing board, on a constitution, a three-year work plan, and budget. It was anticipated that approximately 100 development practitioners and evaluators from developing countries and the donor community would be part of this launch event.
IDEAS designed its logo. The Constitution was developed, along with a membership plan, and a draft work plan.
On September 8th IDEAS was launched in Beijing. The constitution was adopted and a widely representative 10-member Board was elected.

2003

In February, IDEAS was legally incorporated in the UK. The organization of IDEAS began:

In April, a Secretariat was established in South Africa (within the Development Bank of Southern Africa);
The first IDEAS website was developed for managing the global organization in a virtual manner and providing professional support to its members;
Members were registered on the website with effect from 11th September, and the membership body was gradually expanded to over 200 individuals from 61 countries during the first year of IDEAS’ operation;
In May, a Program Strategy and Business Plan for IDEAS first three years was established;
IDEAS sponsored developing country delegates to attend professional meetings and raised funds to support core activities and programs.

2004

IDEAS began to gain visibility through participation in forums and through the organization of meaningful meetings and partnerships.
In July, a significant Symposium was held in Geneva under the title “Rethinking Development Evaluation”. This encouraged debate on the paradigm shifts in the development landscape, stimulating perspectives from developed and developing countries.
In October, IDEAS partnered with the Canadian Parliamentary Center to engage Parliaments of 6 African countries and 4 East Asian countries to share experiences on the Use of Evaluation to enhance Parliamentary Oversight for Poverty Reduction, during a symposium organized in Cambodia and hosted by the Senate of Cambodia.
IDEAS convened sessions to reflect on Public Private Partnerships in Southern Africa.
IDEAS participated in the efforts by the Nelson Mandela Foundation to establish a community of practice on evaluating social change efforts.
In December, IDEAS worked with the African Evaluation Association to explore the shifts in thinking and practice about evaluation that transcend the evaluation of aid in the African context, during the AfrEA Conference.