Action evaluation in theory and practice

This section of the book beginning with this chapter, growing quite literally out of the work presented in the first half, is about how to “help good people do good work together better.” Moreover, it’s also about ensuring that good work of good people is sustainable. While as the previous chapters have illustrated ARIA Conflict Engagement work has been quite successful around the world in helping disputants locked in deep identity-based conflict surface differences (Antagonism), take each other’s perspectives (Resonance) and invent creative ways forward (Invention), it has been less successful in helping them sustain and implement this work (Action). Action Evaluation evolved as a way to systematically define, promote and assess success in order to “increase the odds” that good work would be sustained