SPRE conference
The second biennial Social Policy, Research and Evaluation (SPRE) Conference was held in Wellington on 25 and 26 November 2004.
Hosted by the Ministry of Social Development, it provided real insights into ‘what works’ both in policy and in practice. Keynote speakers included Professor Mason Durie, Cindy Blackstock, Helen Roberts, Raymond Torres, Congressman Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin and Professor Johan Mackenbach. They were complemented by more than 100 papers presented by New Zealand researchers in the parallel sessions.
“I enjoyed a wonderful two days being challenged, inspired, motivated and occasionally moved. I think the conference has again provided a fantastic opportunity to further strengthen our networks and learn from each other,” said Ministry of Social Development Chief Executive Peter Hughes.
The conference was opened by the Prime Minister Helen Clark, who said the government was committed to improving the provision and uptake of policy-relevant social research. “Rigorous analysis and evaluation about what works will enable us to make better decisions about where we should target our investments. It will enable new programmes and interventions to be designed to lead to the best possible outcomes,” she said.
Social Development and Employment Minister Steve Maharey said the conference was part of the government’s drive to focus on good social policy. “We need to know what works. We need to communicate what works. We need to be committed to developing policies and programmes that really do deliver the right results, rather than doing what we guess might work. That’s the only way we will be able to develop sustainable social policies that benefit New Zealand and New Zealanders.”
Research, Science and Technology Minister Pete Hodgson said that, from his perspective, ‘what works’ meant social research and evaluation that was relevant, and that understood the complex links between the economic, social, environmental and cultural dimensions.
