Global
Global
Technical Guidance Document
2018
Global
Global
Technical Guidance Document
2018
The maturity matrix is a tool developed under the Balanced Design, Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (BalanceD-MERL) consortium to help staff integrate MERL with program design through the use of four principles (mentioned below) in the service of good program management.
1. Relevant: D-MERL is relevant when it is informed by development theory and is intentionally shaped by, and responds to, how local people, context, and strategy evolve over time.
2. Right-sized: D-MERL is right-sized when it is a match between resources (people, time, and money) and goals.
3. Responsible: D-MERL is responsible when it goes beyond the “do no harm” principle to engage respectfully, ethically, and sensitively with the target audience(s) of the program and local partners.
4. Trustworthy: D-MERL is trustworthy when it is conducted according to standards of rigor appropriate to context, constraints, and/or intended use of the data.
Ahead of the pivotal COP28 in Dubai, the world faces a stark climate reality, underscored by 2023 being the hottest year on record. This trend, signaling a significant rise in Earth’s temperature since 1880, calls for urgent action. Pre-COP28 events, such as the Africa Climate Summit and Climate Week in New York, have set the stage by focusing on renewable energy, sustainable growth, and resilience. COP28 will explore finance, technology, and inclusion, addressing climate financing, loss and damage, and innovations like green hydrogen. The conference must also acknowledge the disproportionate impact of climate change on Indigenous communities and low-emission countries. Despite strides in renewable energy and policies like the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act and the EU’s Green Deal, more integrated strategies are needed. COP28 presents an opportunity for global leaders to showcase their commitment to comprehensive climate action.
The infographic titled “Gender Pay Gap in the United States, September 18, 2023” by Andrea Pozderac and Azra K. Nurkic, sheds light on the persistent gender wage disparity in the U.S. In 2023, women earned 84.5 cents for every dollar earned by men, indicating a 15.5 cent gap. The infographic explores various factors contributing to this gap, such as occupational segregation, work experience, and educational attainment. It also highlights state-wise disparities, with Connecticut showing the smallest gap and Utah the largest. Additionally, it underscores the overrepresentation of women in lower-paying jobs and the challenges faced by women of color.
The USDA FFPr Exporting Quality Program undergoes a comprehensive evaluation in this document, highlighting its impact and efficacy from September 2015 to December 2021. Managed by the International Executive Service Corps (IESC), this initiative strives to foster development and progress in the food sector. The Institute for Development Impact, with contributions from experts like Brian Foster, Molly Hageboeck, and Elizabeth Issac, has meticulously assessed the program’s trajectory, culminating in this final evaluation. The report delves into the program’s context, its alignment with desired outcomes, and offers insights into areas of improvement and success.
