Heterogenization of the Evaluation
A Cultural Response to the Challenges of Post-Truth in Development Aid in Africa
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18357/cjpe.2026.40.1.1227Keywords:
Heterogenization, Evaluation, Post-truth, Africa, EpistemologyAbstract
In the context of development aid in Africa, evaluative practices face a tension between Western norms and African epistemic legitimacy, complicated by post-truth dynamics. This research examines how heterogenization, by merging international standards and endogenous epistemologies, can address the colonial legacy and the information crisis. The study employs a theoretical approach combining postcolonial epistemology and co-construction of knowledge, relying on the African Evaluation Principles (AEP) and participatory evaluation initiatives. Results indicate that integrating local knowledge and increasing transparency enhance the credibility of evaluations while minimizing information manipulation. However, challenges persist, such as the risk of cultural essentialization and dependence on funders. Despite these issues, heterogenization presents a promising path for emancipatory evaluations, requiring intercultural and technological reforms.
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