This is a recording of the M&E Thursday Talk from Thursday, November 1st, 2018 when Karol Balfe & Gráinne Kilcullen of Christian Aid Ireland led a discussion on “Learning to make a difference: Applying adaptive program management in governance, human rights, gender equality, and peacebuilding.”
Christian Aid Ireland is an international development agency that works to expose the scandal of poverty, and change structures and systems to favor the poor and marginalized. Supported by funding from the Irish government, Christian Aid Ireland has integrated an adaptive approach with the aim of more effectively supporting local partner organizations to address complex developmental issues in seven different countries. After the first year of implementation, a recent learning paper on this new approach outlines the key lessons emerging. Karol Balfe, Head of From Violence to Peace, and Gráinne Kilcullen, Program Adviser Governance and Human Rights, presented the key learnings from the first year of this five-year program, explained methodologies employed, as well as the challenges and key areas for improvement.
The webinar also addressed why this approach, which favors adaptiveness, flexibility, responsiveness, and creativity, is particularly important for complex issues such as governance and peacebuilding. Participants were encouraged to share their own adaptive management experiences, along with feedback and questions for the presenters.