Review while travelling through Europe

This blog, dated 2 July 2025, is a guest blog… My good friend Hur Hassnain, who I know from my time in the Board of IDEAS, and who is fully dedicated to evaluation, has read my book Evidence for Hope. He was inspired by the book to write what he thinks about the book and where and when it would be useful. His most inspiring insight for me is that he declares that Hope is a strategy: “one grounded in facts, values, and action”. His blog is entertaining as well as thought-provoking. Enjoy!

Discovering Evidence for Hope

A guest blog turned book review by Hur Hassnain

Over the past few weeks, Evidence for Hope by Rob D. van den Berg has been more than just a book for me—it has been a travel companion, a guide, and a source of deep reflection. From the bustling streets of London to the serene landscapes of France, through the quiet sophistication of Luxembourg, and finally back to the historic charm of Belgium, this book has stayed close, quietly reshaping the way I think, act, and reflect at every stop, including at my work.

Rob’s thoughtful exploration of sustainability turned what was once a familiar concept into something far deeper—a profound personal and professional commitment. His insights are not only timely; they are essential. As someone working at the intersection of evaluation and international development, I found myself underlining sentences, scribbling margins, and at times pausing altogether to reconsider how I approach both my everyday life and my work responsibilities.

What is the Book About?

Evidence for Hope confronts one of the most urgent and complex questions of our time: how can we make sustainability not only real, but lasting? Rob, a widely respected thought leader in the evaluation field, offers an unflinching yet hopeful perspective. He argues that evidence—when grounded in reasoned judgement, not just data—can guide us out of the crises we face.

This book is grounded, data-informed, and sharply focused on practice. Rob brings together years of global experience and extensive research to map out what he calls an emerging sustainability revolution. The pages are filled with key themes and practical insights that resonate strongly with today’s challenges:

• Systems Thinking – Understanding the world as a network of interlinked systems, not isolated parts.
• Accountability – Holding institutions and actors genuinely responsible for the promises they make.
• Constructive Change – Moving beyond critique to co-create practical, inclusive solutions.

Why It Matters to Me

My connection to Rob predates this book. I first came across his work during his time as Director of the Independent Evaluation Office at the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and later through his teaching at King’s College London. We eventually served together on the Board of IDEAS (the International Development Evaluation Association) —an international association for evaluation professionals—where his presidency was marked by vision, humility, and clarity.

Over time, Rob became a mentor and a friend—always generous with his time, measured in his words, and consistently kind. Reading Evidence for Hope felt deeply personal. It was like having a long, considered conversation with someone who does not just study change, but embodies the values needed to drive it.

Key Takeaways That Stuck With Me

1. Evidence is Power

Rob offers a compelling argument that evidence is not simply data—it is a reasoned judgement drawn from observations, explanations, and expectations. Evidence, when properly used, can act as a lever for systemic change. In my work, I have witnessed how evidence-based decision-making can alter the course of entire programmes. The book reinforced my belief that credible, context-sensitive evaluation must remain at the core of sustainable development.

How can we better use the evidence we already have to build a more just and sustainable future?

2. Hope is Strategic

Far from being naive, hope in Rob’s writing is purposeful and powerful. It energises individuals, mobilises coalitions, and provides the emotional stamina required for long-term transformation. For those of us who have worked in challenging environments, the reminder that hope can be an intentional tool—not just a mood—is both refreshing and inspiring.

What if hope is not a feeling, but a framework?

3. Sustainability is a Revolution

Rob is clear: we are not dealing with a passing trend, but with a true revolution—an unprecedented shift in how we relate to the planet and to one another. Drawing from history, policy, and practice, the book invites us to think beyond incremental change. In my travels around the world for work, and for pleasure, I could see this revolution in motion—in new policies, social innovation hubs, and grassroots initiatives. Rob gives us the language and tools to make sense of it all.

Are we prepared to embrace the depth of change that true sustainability demands?

4. Collaboration is Essential

No one sector can tackle these issues alone. Governments, civil society, academic institutions, and international organisations must learn to work together more meaningfully. This is a point Rob makes often—and one that echoed in every country I visited while reading the book.

What partnerships could we nurture today that may shape the breakthroughs of tomorrow?

Reading Across Borders: My Travels with the Book

One of the joys of Evidence for Hope was experiencing it in different European contexts. In London, its chapters on accountability and systems thinking felt particularly resonant amidst conversations on public policy and governance. In France, I read about sustainability while watching first-hand the country’s strong citizen-led environmental movements. Luxembourg’s multi-layered global governance systems brought Rob’s points on complexity and cooperation to life. And back home in Belgium, the book’s emphasis on innovation and intersectionality mirrored the vibrant sustainability ecosystem I am fortunate to be a part of.

Each setting added new dimensions to the book’s meaning. The geography changed, but the message remained strikingly relevant: sustainable transformation is possible—if we choose to act deliberately, inclusively, and bravely.

Professional Takeaways for Fellow Practitioners

If you are involved in evaluation, development cooperation, or public policy, I would consider Evidence for Hope required reading. But even beyond that, if you are simply someone who cares about the planet and our collective future, you will find this book both enlightening and empowering.

Here are three lessons I believe everyone can take forward:

1. Think in Systems
   Problems are interconnected and so must be our solutions.
2. Stay Hopeful, Stay Real
   Hope is not a distraction. It is a strategy—one grounded in facts, values, and action.
3. Work Across Boundaries
   True impact lies in partnerships—between sectors, nations, and worldviews.

Final Thoughts: Let Us Keep the Conversation Going

Evidence for Hope is more than a book—it is a timely and compelling invitation to rethink how we generate, use, and communicate knowledge for change. It is a reminder that rigorous evaluation and bold optimism can—and must—coexist.

I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone invested in shaping a more equitable, sustainable, and hopeful world. If you have read it—or are curious about how evidence and evaluation can help us navigate the sustainability revolution—I would love to hear your thoughts. Let us continue the conversation.

How can you order the book

To order the book, simply visit your local or nearest Amazon online store. You can easily have it delivered to your location, or use the following link to order Evidence for Hope online. If necessary, adjust the country setting to your specific location, or search for the book by its title and author to find it online.

Enjoy the read!