In recent months, the Office of Development Effectiveness, the unit within DFAT that’s responsible for the evaluation of Australia’s aid program, has released three important reports. One is its evaluation of the Australian aid volunteer program. The other are two reports on aid program quality: its review of aid program performance reports, and its Lessons from Australian Aid report.

As in past years, the Development Policy Centre hosted a forum to discuss and debate these reports. Presenters included the main authors of the reports and external discussants. Jim Adams, Chair of the Independent Evaluation Committee, has been invited to close the forum.

Speakers included:

Jim Adams retired a year ago after 37 years at the World Bank. His last assignment was as the Vice President for East Asia and the Pacific from 2007 – 2012. Among his current duties, Jim Adams serves as Chair of Independent Evaluation Committee, DFAT

Andrew Collins Assistant Secretary, Aid Management and Performance Branch, DFAT.

Robin Davies is the Associate Director of the Development Policy Centre. He was previously a member of AusAID’s senior executive service for a decade, both in Australia and overseas.

Andrew Hawkins Associate Principal Consultant, ARTD Consultants.

Jo Hall Director, Office of Development Effectiveness, DFAT.

Professor Stephen Howes is the Director of the Development Policy Centre and a Professor of Economics at Crawford School.

Gary Powell Assistant Secretary, NGOs & Volunteers Branch, DFAT.

Dereck Rooken-Smith is the Assistant Secretary for the Office of Development Effectiveness at the Department of Foreign Affairs.

This forum was presented by the Development Policy Centre at Crawford School of Public Policy, The Australian National University.