Evaluations and Learning in Rule of Law Assistance

The rule of law is an essential foundation of international conflict and crisis management. Recently, the sustainability and effectiveness of rule of law projects has been questioned and there is an emerging consensus that rule of law programmes need to be evaluated. This report highlights the importance of disseminating and incorporating lessons learned into new or on-going programmes.

Many observers are questioning whether rule of law projects are actually accomplishing their goals. As numerous rule of law initiatives have taken place around the globe in the last decades, there has been an increase of knowledge and experience in the field. Evaluations therefore play an important role by transmitting information about past experiences. Disseminating and incorporating lessons learned into new or on-going programme development remains one of the more pressing issues that need to be addressed by the rule of law community.

The report gives a number of key conclusions such as to review past evaluations. This review should highlight both what worked well, as well as what did not work so well. It should incorporate funding for evaluations and ensure that evaluation reports with valuable lessons learned are accessible and taken into consideration in decision-making forums and policy development.