Towards Sustainable Futures

Followers of the Comparative Policy Evaluation book series will be familiar with the qualities presented in this new volume. A well-managed collection of essays addresses a topical and substantive issue not only for evaluation but public policy in general, tackles sometimes contested conceptual and methodological complexity and, perhaps more distinctively, is oriented to policy and evaluation futures. The authors collectively argue that ensuring sustainability is one of the most important tasks we face. Sustainable development, both economic and social and especially together, is critical to our future. Their volume explores the role of evaluation in contributing to this sustainable future. It speaks to those who share this burgeoning interest, especially those who commission, carry out and use evaluations in public policy.

Andrew Gray, Emeritus Professor of Public Management, Durham University

Towards sustainable futures indirectly raises the challenge that development, evaluation of development and sustainability of development are concepts intrinsically linked to a growth paradigm. The very notion of cause and effect and development is a notion of growth – and the role of evaluation is to assess whether this growth has actually taken place – and if so – whether it is sustainable. But Towards sustainable futures: the role of evaluation in many ways asks the crucial question, whether growth and development is what we want? The editors hold up a mirror which shows a somewhat bleak reflection: ”… so far the evaluation community at large has not contributed much.”

Dr. Claus C. Rebien, Vice President, Green Transition Advisory, COWI.