CMI and SOAS to evaluate Norwegian peace efforts in Sri Lanka

The evaluation will be led by Gunnar Sørbø from Chr. Michelsens Institute in Bergen and Jonathan Goodhand from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London. The team of nine professionals includes four highly qualified members from Sri Lanka. The team has a broad professional background within studies of peace and conflict, and includes political scientists, anthropologists and historians.

The Evaluation Department in Norad received six international bids for tender, and the bid from CMI/SOAS was assessed as clearly the best.

The aim of the evaluation is to learn from the unique experience Norway has from its engagement in Sri Lanka.  The terms of reference require the team to tell the story of the Norwegian peace efforts, to assess the Norwegian understanding of the conflict at the time and the choices made, and to assess results of the Norwegian engagement in the different phases of the peace process. The report is also meant to contribute to the international debate on conflict prevention.  

Final report is expected in March/April 2011.