- Specifically, the Group suggested that there are four core principles to keep in mind in the evaluation of health promotion initiatives (http://www.who.dk/document/e60706.pdf)

- The first and most important is participation. In other words, at each stage of the evaluation, health promotion initiatives should involve, in appropriate ways, those who have a legitimate interest in the initiative. This can include policymakers, community members and organizations, health and other professionals, and local and national health agencies. The group felt that it was especially important that members of the community whose health is being addressed be involved in evaluations.

- The second principle is use of multiple methods. That is, evaluations of health promotion initiatives should draw on a variety of disciplines and should consider employing a broad range of information gathering procedures.

- Third, it was the feeling of the Group that evaluations of health promotion initiatives should enhance the capacity of individuals, communities, organizations and governments to address important health promotion concerns.

- Finally, the Group felt that evaluations of health promotion initiatives should be appropriate or designed to accommodate the complex nature of health promotion interventions and their long-term impact. In other words, the view of the Working Group was that not only must evaluations of health promotion initiatives be scientifically rigorous, but they also must be consistent with the principles of health promotion and the nature of health promotion interventions.