The World Bank Group’s Experience with the IDA Private Sector Window: An Early-Stage Assessment

I would like to know whether IEG has carried out evaluations on EU27 GDO's similar to that reported in the 2 following papers: [1] Aruoba, S.B.; Diebold, F.X.; Nalewaik, J.; Schorfheide, F.; Song, D. – Improving GDP Measurement: A Measurement-Error Perspective, Paper No.18954, Dec.5, 2014, National Bureau of Economic Research. [2] Kugler, P.; Jordan. T.J.; Lenz, C.; Savioz, M.R. - Measurement errors in GDP and forward-looking monetary policy: The Swiss case. –Studies of the Economic Research Centre, No 31/2004, Deutsche Bundesbank. thanking in advance Roberto VACCA

Thank you, Caroline, for a blog that makes the link between parliamentarians and evaluation so clear. Indeed, parliamentarians can use evidence to inform and advocate for the policies they support. Yet, in many countries, parliamentarians do not even know what evaluation means. Under the EvalPartners Initiative's Enabling Environment for Evaluation Task Force, we reached out to parliamentarians to inform them about the potential role of evaluation, and invite them into an alliance with EvalPartners. The Community of Evaluators of South Asia inspired us with its success in convening a regional Parliamentarians for Evaluation group, followed by Africa, and the MENA region. In October 2014, we supported the launch of the Global Parliamentarians Forum, now renamed EvalParliament. See a 3-minute slideshow/video I created to commemorate that event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyTwV__bKFw I was impressed to see the excitement for evaluation of the members of parliament belonging to opposition parties, because evaluation would be a way that they could get more independent information and more transparency in government programs; MPs in opposition parties have limited resources to check government decisions. Also, it was exciting to see the number of women who chose to support evaluation as a means of gaining independent evidence for policymaking. I asked Hon. Kabir Hashim of Sri Lanka: "How come you support independent evaluation, when you are politicians and may sometimes choose your...'evidence' selectively?" He responded like a politician: "You see, once we have the evaluation report, we can choose what to emphasize and how to interpret it." We are grateful to Kabir Hashim who is now a minister in Sri Lanka, and the many other busy MPs, who gave their time, and have brought significant leadership to the EvalPartners coalition with parliamentarians.

Many thanks, Tessie, for sharing with everybody EvalPartners experience in working with Parliamentarians. I was equally impressed by them, their commitment to national evaluation capacity development, and the use of evidence in policy making when giving the key note at their meeting at EES in Dublin and responding to their questions.

I must say Caroline that this blog is coming at the right time which has in a way buttressed the need for legislative researchers as well as other people who contribute to the decisions taken by parliamentarians to possess adequate evaluation skills. Speaking from experience, parliamentarians are beginning to appreciate such efforts. For instance, I work as a legislative researcher in the Macroeconomics/Public Finance Unit of the National Institute for Legislative Studies Abuja which is the research and training arm of Nigeria's national parliament, the National Assembly (it plays similar roles like the Congressional Research Services of the US Congress). Some of the Senate and House of Representatives Bills we have analyzed as well as policy/committee briefs done for parliamentarians have brought forth recommendations from the law makers. They tell us how useful such works have been in their deliberations guiding their decisions reached on national issues. Thus, the evidences generated from the evaluations done in such outputs help these parliamentarians to be much more broad based and balanced in their arguments. I wish to see more similar blogs like yours in the future which I believe will help broaden the knowledge and skill horizon of people who are involved in legislative research.

Charles, many thanks for the helpful feedback that showcases how parliamentarians have used evidence, and what it takes to get there. We’ll keep you request in mind as we continue developing our blog posts.

In Sri Lanka the 19th amendment to the constitution was passed in the in the SL Parliament, this withholds the sole discretion of decision making and implementation of plans given by the Presidents powers and the authority of the Executive Presidency. Current President of SL Mr Paithreepala Sirisena abolished the Executive President's most high ranked position which none of the Presidents thought after coming in to power. The bill was passed during this week. However the cost of essential goods have been increased. There will be another Parliamentary election in the months or weeks to come. Hoping for a better future. Shashika Wijesinha S Sri Lanka

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