SIECA - BROOKINGS PROJECT : AN EVALUATION

THE MAJOR INSTRUMENT USED TO ACCOMPLISH THIS IS THE UNDERTAKING OF A NUMBER OF STUDIES BY THE STAFF OF THE SSU. THE PROJECT HAS ACCOMPLISHED ITS OBJECTIVE OF PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN PLANNING AND EXECUTING THE STUDIES. AN INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCH AND ANALYTICAL CAPACITY HAS BEEN ADDED TO SIECA WHICH DID NOT EXIST BEFORE THE PROJECT. THERE IS SOME FEELING THAT THE SSU'S WORK, IN SOME RESPECTS, IS TOO THEORETICAL TO BE OF DIRECT RELEVANCE TO THE INTEGRATION PROCESS. SINCE MOST OF THE STUDIES WERE ONLY RECENTLY COMPLETED IN THEIR FINAL FORM, LITTLE HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED IN MAKING THE FINDINGS AVAILABLE TO THOSE INFLUENTIAL AND CONCERNED WITH THE INTEGRATION PROCESS. IT IS QUITE CLEAR THAT A LARGE EFFORT NEEDS TO BE MOUNTED IN ORDER TO DISSEMINATE THE FINDINGS AND PROMOTE THEIR UTILIZATION BY THE PROPER PEOPLE AND INSTITUTIONS. THE MAJOR TASK FOR THE SSU SHOULD BE CARRY OUT ANALYSIS WHICH POINTS TO THE PARTICULAR PROBLEMS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED IN A COLLABORATIVE FASHION AND THE CONSTRAINTS THAT MUST BE OVERCOME BEFORE EFFECTIVE ACTION CAN BE TAKEN. AN EFFORT TO RETAIN BROOKINGS SHOULD BE MADE ON THE CONDITION THAT CHANGES IN FUNDINGS AND TIMING OF RESIDENCE IN CENTRAL AMERICA ARE MADE.