Networks - a briefing paper for the Health Foundation - Centre for ...

viiStrengths of Advocacy ApproachThe strengths of advocacy approach include the involvement of external evaluators, whichcan facilitate participation and ensure checks, balances, and the objectivity of the process.Even in the formal, summative evaluations, the greater the involvement of the advocacynetwork’s staff, members, allies and donors, and the more the evaluators serve as‘facilitators in a joint inquiry rather than experts wielding “objective” measuring sticks’, thegreater will be the quality and validity of the evaluation. Perhaps most importantly, throughtheir participation the stakeholders, and especially the advocacy network’s member, willdevelop the understanding and the commitment to implement the conclusions andrecommendations (Harris, 2005: n.p).viiiPublic Sector Networks: The PSN Programme team, led by the Cabinet Office, is workingclosely with industry and other public sector groups, in six distinct workstreams, to define anddeliver PSN standards, practices and governance. This work is in its early stages.71