Independent research & practical ideas for global prosperity

Is It Really Working? HIV/AIDS, Global Initiatives,
and the Pressing Challenge of Evaluation

Jan 23, 2006

Video of the event
Full text transcript (PDF, 164 KB)

Speakers and Materials:
Martha Ainsworth - Coordinator, Health and Education Evaluation Independent Evaluation Group (IEG), World Bank
World Bank OED Report “Committing to Results: Improving the Effectiveness of HIV/AIDS Assistance”
PowerPoint slides
Michele Orza - Study Director, PEPFAR Evaluation, Institute of Medicine
Institute of Medicine, Plan for a Short-Term Evaluation of PEPFAR Implementation, Letter Report #1
PowerPoint slides
Cyril Pervilhac - Strategic Information and Research, HIV/AIDS Department, World Health Organization
Terms of Reference for the WHO 3 by 5 Evaluation
PowerPoint slides

Moderator:
Ruth Levine - Senior Fellow, Center for Global Development

Ensuring adequate evaluation of social and public health programs is essential to accelerating social progress in low- and middle-income countries. Only when countries and donors are aware of what works, will they be able to make informed decisions about priorities and strategies into the future. This knowledge and awareness is especially important in HIV/AIDS programs, where donors commit a high level of resources to combat the epidemic that is devastating millions of lives and undermining poverty alleviation and development efforts around the world.

However, effective evaluation of global HIV/AIDS programs remains a daunting task. Donor-funded programs in this area are complex, multi-faceted and multi-sectoral, and many of the results are difficult to measure. By bringing together experts engaged in evaluating the major donors’ global HIV/AIDS programs, including the World Bank's Assistance for HIV/AIDS Control, the US bi-lateral President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and the WHO’s 3by5 Initiative, this seminar explored strategies, frameworks and challenges for evaluation, and lessons for the future.