The landscape of governance and development is ever-evolving, necessitating robust mechanisms for evaluation to ensure that programs and policies are responsive to the unprecedented global challenges.
The landscape of governance and development is ever-evolving, necessitating robust mechanisms for evaluation to ensure that programs and policies are responsive to the unprecedented global challenges. The 2024 National Evaluation Capacities (NEC) Conference held in Beijing on October 14-18, served as a pivotal platform for stakeholders to come together and enhance their understanding of evaluation as a tool for accountability and informing timely and effective responses to the global challenges.
The NEC Conference brought together over 500 participants from more than 100 countries representing a diverse group of evaluators, policymakers, civil society representatives, and international organizations. Key sessions and panels featured renowned speakers from various backgrounds, including government officials, academics, and practitioners who shared their insights on the future of evaluation. The World Food Programme (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) represented the Rome-based Agencies at this event:
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Ms. Anne-Claire Luzot, the Evaluation Director at WFP, led a main plenary discussion on Government Reflections on the Turin Agenda, where government representatives from Mozambique, Ecuador, Liberia, Egypt and China discussed the relevance of a responsive approach to evaluation for their decision-making on policy and programming. She also participated in a panel discussion on the triple nexus and evaluation, where she presented the lessons learned from WFP on nexus programming and how evaluation can contribute to it. Ms. Luzot leveraged the Conference to foster partnerships on capacities development initiatives in evaluation with multiple relevant stakeholders, culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between WFP and the German Institute for Development Evaluation (DEVAL).
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Mr. Serdar Bayryyev, Senior Evaluation Officer from FAO, co-led a highly-attended session on “Harnessing technology in evaluation”, presenting relevant best practices together with representatives from the UNDP, the Asian Development Bank, the GEF Evaluation Office, the World Bank, the Durban University of South Africa, and the Chinese engineering company. Presentation focused on the cases of using geospatial methods in evaluations, advocating for the wider use of available open-source technologies, and in particular focusing on the potential for applying these cost-effective and reliable technologies in the national evaluation systems. Serdar’s networking and outreach with the conference participants through the dedicated conference networking application (WHOVA), gained the ranking of the 3rd most active conference participant. He has used this conference networking tool and opportunities to convene discussions with participants on evaluation quality, independence and use of innovative methods for data collection and analysis.
Mr. Guido Quiroga, Evaluation Officer, WFP, participated in a panel discussion on “Exploring NES Assessment Tools: Effective Use and Timing in National Evaluation Systems” where he presented WFP’s experience and lessons from supporting countries in diagnosing their evaluation systems using standardized tools. As the WFP NEC focal point, Mr. Quiroga also met with representatives from governments, UN partners and development banks to identify opportunities for collaboration on evaluation capacities development at the national and regional level.
Additionally, WFP sponsored Thuto Ntsekhe, CEO of Primary Education at the Ministry of Primary Education of Lesotho and Alice Mingninou, Adjunct Director at the Ministry of Maternal and Primary Education of Benin to attend the Conference. Both participated in a round-table discussion on “Strengthening Evidence Use through Global Collaboration: Advancing Evaluation Partnerships for Sustainable Impact”, showcasing the use of joint evaluations of their national school feeding programmes to enhance their effectiveness and sustainability, bringing a sectoral lenses of evaluation capacities development to the Conference.
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The 2024 NEC Conference revolved around several key themes:
1. Building Institutional Capacity for Evaluation: One of the major discussions focused on strengthening the institutional frameworks necessary for effective evaluation. Participants shared best practices on how countries can foster an environment where evaluation is integral to governance. Professional development workshops focused on the significance of integrating evaluation into national planning processes.
2. Utilizing Technology in Evaluation: With the rise of data analytics and digital tools, the conference highlighted cutting edge innovative approaches to evaluation that leverage technology. Sessions explored how artificial intelligence, and big data can enhance the evaluation process, providing more accurate and real-time insights.
3. Participatory Evaluation: Another crucial theme was the importance of involving stakeholders at various levels in the evaluation process. Discussions centered on equitable practices that ensure voices from marginalized communities are heard and considered in evaluations. Engaging various stakeholders not only enriches the evaluation but also fosters a sense of ownership and accountability.
4. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Addressing the role of evaluation in achieving SDGs was paramount. Participants discussed how systematic evaluations can inform progress towards these global goals, helping to identify challenges and foster responsive actions and solutions in areas that require immediate attention.
Workshops and Networking
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Hands-on workshops were a highlight of the NEC Conference, allowing participants to engage directly with tools and methodologies in real-world scenarios. From mastering evaluation frameworks to designing surveys that capture community impacts, these sessions were both practical and enlightening.
Networking opportunities were abundant, and the cutting-edge networking and knowledge-sharing application (WHOVA) has been utilized to enable attendees to forge connections across regions and sectors. The friendships and collaborations formed at NEC 2024 have the potential to lead to significant advancements in evaluation practices around the world.
The Path Forward
As the conference came to a close, participants left with a renewed commitment to elevate the role of evaluation in their respective contexts. The 2024 NEC Conference was more than just an event; it was a call to action for leaders in the field of evaluation to harness the power of evaluation for positive change, ensuring that every voice is heard, and every effort is measured. As we look ahead, the road to robust evaluation capacities is paved with collaboration, innovation, and a steadfast dedication to improving the lives of people everywhere.
The National Evaluation Capacities Conference in Beijing has set the stage for transformative evaluation practices that will navigate the complexities of development in an increasingly interconnected world. The insights gained over the five days in Beijing will fuel efforts to implement more transparent, inclusive, and effective evaluation strategies worldwide, including commitments made through the joint Beijing Plan of Action. The declaration - which is still in preparation, calls for the focus on systems strengthening, evaluation use and preparing evaluation systems for the future. NEC 2024 was a promising step forward in that journey toward making evaluations a cornerstone of effective governance, leading not only to better policies but ultimately to tangible improvements in the lives of individuals and communities across the globe.