An Evaluation of the Centre for Cross Border Studies 1999-2002

by Brian Harvey Social Research

An evaluation of the Centre for Cross Border Studies, Armagh was carried out in March 2002 by Brian Harvey Social Research, Dublin. The aim of the evaluation was to:

  • Describe the evolution of the Centre over the past three years in the context of cross border work in Ireland generally;
  • Find out what the Centre has done in its first three years in the context of its original mission statement and brief;
  • Determine if its brief, priorities and objectives have changed over this time;
  • Measure the product of the Centre, in terms of publications, events and other activities;
  • Examine where it has allocated its human and financial resources;
  • Look at the procedures for decision-making and accountability within the Centre to check that they operate smoothly and efficiently;
  • Study how the Centre has reached out and publicised its work, including the use of its website;
  • Identify the Centre’s on-going means for monitoring its outcomes and impact;
  • Measure the level of external satisfaction with the efficiency, quality of service and administration of the Centre;
  • Identify the strengths and weaknesses of the work of the Centre;
  • Assess the impact which the Centre has made on its audiences, questioning especially the impact of the first round of research projects;
  • Identify any possible areas of work or activity which may have been insufficiently addressed or even missed;
  • Test whether its mission statement is up to date and should be adjusted in the light of the Centre’s development so far and changing
    circumstances;
  • In the context of its future plans, make recommendations for its further development and means of operation.
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Notes from the Next Door Neighbours

Notes from the Next Door Neighbours

WHAT THEY SAY…

It is an honour and privilege to be able to support the valuable work of the Centre for Cross Border Studies by launching the Journal of Cross Border Studies in Ireland today.
One of the first things I did when I came to the Department of the Taoiseach in 2004-2005 was to attend an earlier launch of the journal, and I have always found the journal and the Centre’s other publications to be fundamental to understanding how cross-border cooperation works on the island of Ireland…
The word ‘quiet’ in the phrase ‘quiet success story’ used by the Taoiseach in his interview was key then – this was quiet, slow, sensitive work. Real progress was a trade-off against PR: quiet success was better than noisy friction.
I believe the future will involve more, not less, such quiet work in an all-island context. So this North-South dimension remains really crucial: we have to strive to keep it going as much as we can.
— Martin Fraser, Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach and Secretary to the Irish Government