Update on the evaluation of the UN System Network on Rural Development and Food Security

The UN System Network on Rural Development and Food Security is undertaking an evaluation within the framework of a series of auto-evaluations promoted by the FAO evaluation service. FAO Representations have been invited to take part in the process and give their comments and suggestions on the activities of the national Thematic Groups and the Network's relevance. A questionnaire on the Network Website has also been distributed to the Network E-mail distribution list and posted on the site.

Information collected for the evaluation through interviews or questionnaires sent to national Thematic Groups and Network members highlighted the following preliminary findings:

• The relevance of the Network mandate is still valid and even more today than in 1997, as the political, technological and institutional environments are more conducive to networking and coordination activities. The demand and expectations of development partners and countries for enhanced coordination among UN organisations and partnership with multiple stakeholders is growing.
• Thematic Groups serve this coordination need and remain a key tool at national level to support governments in formulating national policies or UN multisectoral programmes. Donors also express the need for better coordination among the Rome-based agencies in order to avoid duplications, build synergies and maximise the use of limited resources.
• In general, partners have difficulties to understand how various international initiatives and partnerships relate to each other. There is notably a need for clarification of the respective roles of the UN System Network and the International Alliance Against Hunger and its national alliances.
• There is an overall positive appreciation of the Website in the questionnaires confirmed by an increasing number of consulted pages over the last two years (multiplied by 3).

The report of the evaluation is now being prepared and a synthesis peer-review meeting will be organised with the main partners of the Network. The final recommendations of the evaluation will be shared with you in the next update of the website.

We thank all of those who have participated in the auto-evaluation through the questionnaires and the interviews. Your contribution was essential to the auto-evaluation process and the future of the UN System Network.