Beyond the Numbers : Understanding the Institutions for Monitoring Poverty Reduction Strategies

by Coudouel, Aline; Cox, Marcus; Goldstein, Markus; Bedi, Tara

• ISBN13: 9780821364840
• ISBN10: 0821364847
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-06-15
• Publisher: World Bank

Summary

One of the key components of a successful poverty reduction strategy is a system for monitoring the implementation of the strategy and for tracking progress in poverty reduction. 'Beyond the Numbers' provides lessons on the design and functioning of such monitoring systems, which are based on the experiences of twelve countries. The book's focus is on the institutional arrangements of poverty reduction monitoring systems-the rules and processes that bring the various actors and monitoring activities together in a coherent framework-rather than on any particular activity or actor. This book provides practitioners with lessons and guidance, diagnostic tools, and a summary of the progresss made in the twelve countries that have embraced the poverty reduction strategy.

Table of Contents

Foreword	ix
Acknowledgments	xi
About the Authors	xiii
Executive Summary	xv
Acronyms	xxiii
Introduction	1	(6)
Part One Lessons from the Experiences of 12 Countries	7	(50)
1 Expectations and Realities	9	(10)
What Are the Objectives of a PRS Monitoring System?	10	(3)
The Record	13	(5)
Tactical Choices and Tailored Solutions	18	(1)
2 Organizing the Supply Side of PRS Monitoring	19	(16)
Why Create a Unified PRS Monitoring System?	19	(2)
Designing and Implementing a PRS Monitoring System	21	(3)
Choices in Institutional Design	24	(11)
Leadership	25	(1)
Coordination	26	(2)
Liaison with line ministries	28	(2)
The role of the national statistical system	30	(1)
Involving local governments and local agencies	31	(4)
3 Making Use of PRS Monitoring	35	(14)
Analysis and Evaluation	36	(3)
Outputs and Dissemination	39	(3)
Linking PRS Monitoring and the Budget	42	(4)
The Role of Parliaments	46	(3)
4 Organizing Participation	49	(4)
5 Conclusions of the Analysis	53	(4)
Part Two Diagnostic and Guidance Tools for the Practitioner	57	(34)
1 Diagnostic Tool: The Institutional Dimension of PRS Monitoring Systems	59	(16)
Institutional Context and Design of the PRS Monitoring System	60	(4)
Ability of a PRS Monitoring System to Supply Information	64	(5)
Demand for and Use of PRS Monitoring Information	69	(3)
Additional Resources on Data and Statistical Systems	72	(3)
2 Guidance on the Institutional Dimension of PRS Monitoring Systems	75	(16)
What Is a PRS Monitoring System?	75	(2)
The Supply Side: Designing and Implementing a PRS Monitoring System	77	(5)
The Demand Side: How Are PRS Monitoring Data Used?	82	(5)
Organizing Civil Society Participation	87	(2)
Concluding Observations	89	(2)
Part Three Country Studies—Institutional Arrangements for PRS Monitoring Systems	91	(132)
1 Albania	93	(16)
2 Bolivia	109	(12)
3 Guyana	121	(10)
4 Honduras	131	(12)
5 The Kyrgyz Republic	143	(9)
6 Malawi	152	(9)
7 Mali	161	(12)
8 Mauritania	173	(9)
9 Nicaragua	182	(9)
10 Niger	191	(9)
11 Tanzania	200	(11)
12 Uganda	211	(12)
Bibliography	223