The conference “Unintended Effects of International Cooperation – An academic & policy cross-over conference” is organized jointly by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Radboud University. Over 25 presenters from various evaluation departments, research institutes, universities from developing countries and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs present their research and engage in a debate with policy makers on how to avoid unintended negative effects and make more use of unintended positive effects. 

The OECD stipulates in its evaluation guidelines that evaluation of development programs ought to include a focus on unintended effects. However, research suggests that this is not systematically taking place; a meta-evaluation of USAID evaluations showed that only 15% pay attention to this. A better understanding of positive unintended effects can contribute to making better use of positive multiplier effects. In a similar vein, deeper insights in negative unintended effects can lead to a better anticipation of them and the development of accompanying preventative and mitigating measures. By means of this academic and policy cross-over conference the organizers aim to put the study of ‘unintended effects’ of international cooperation on the agenda of policy makers, evaluators and scientists.

Objectives of the conference

One of the objective of this conference is to take stock of existing studies of both positive and negative unintended effects of international cooperation and identify gaps in knowledge. Secondly, the conference aims to contribute to methodologies that enable a more systematic planning for an analysis of unintended effects. The third objective of the conference is to establish a community of practice that will intensify its efforts and exchange of ideas in this domain over the coming years.

Specialised tracks for professionals and evaluation experts

During the conference there is a practitioner track in which professionals develop a systematic way of better planning for unintended effects. All interested policy makers and practitioners are invited to participate. There is also a special track for evaluation experts who will co-develop new research tools to map unintended effects in a
cost-efficient manner.

Participation & Background information

We kindly invite you to the conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in The Hague. Registration is possible by sending an email to till January 9, 2017. The conference starts at 12h00 on January 16th.
More information about can be found at: https://www.ru.nl/anthropology/vm/unintendedeffects