The 15th edition of the European Evaluation Society (EES) Conference, held in Rimini, Italy, from 23-27 September 2024, brought together evaluation professionals to discuss the role of evaluation in addressing today's critical challenges through collaboration. The event focused on highlighting the need for shared understanding among different evaluation actors, integrating methodology with philosophical and ethical perspectives, and fostering cross-sector collaboration to tackle global issues. The evaluation function of CGIAR's Independent Evaluation and Advisory Service (IAES) was well-represented at the conference, with Research Analysts Lea Corsetti, Gaia Gullotta, Marta Maria Molinari, and Xiaoxi Lian (World Fish, a CGIAR center) attending and presenting.
Attending the EES Conference for the First Time
Marta and Gaia, as first-time attendees, were struck by the collaborative atmosphere and the depth of each session. They felt proud to represent CGIAR's Evaluation Function (IAES) and to contribute key insights on an international stage. The conference was an eye-opening experience for them, diving deeper into the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) world with new insights on methods and the significance of knowledge management.
This was Lea's second time attending the EES conference, having previously attended the 14th edition in Copenhagen as a winner of the 2022 yEES! Competition. In both Copenhagen and Rimini, she was impressed by the range of participants and topics covered, and it was a pleasure for her to meet renowned evaluators and reconnect with evaluators she met at the previous conference.
Xiaoxi was grateful for the opportunity to attend her first EES conference, where she presented issues pertaining to Young and Emerging Evaluators (YEEs) from Asia with her YEE peers. She thought that the conference was both overwhelming and exciting, as there were many sessions happening at the same time. It was an eye-opening experience for her, diving deeper into the M&E world with new insights on methods such as story contextualization, SenseMaker, qualitative data visualization, and of course, AI. Xiaoxi was energized by the collective power of CGIAR colleagues and the young evaluator community as they continue to navigate this path together.
Key Takeaways from Conference Sessions
Gaia attended the session "Evaluation as decluttering: What can Evaluation as a Field Learn from Indigenous Epistemologies?", which explored how Hawaiian and other indigenous epistemologies can guide a decolonizing approach in evaluation practice. The key message that resonated with her was the need to focus on the target population and include the voices of local communities in evaluations. This session inspired Gaia to consider the inclusion of different perspectives and to further investigate participatory approaches in her CGIAR evaluation work. Gaia also participated in "The Power of Networks and Communities to Strengthen Capacities in Evaluation for Agriculture and Rural Development," where Svetlana Negroustoueva, lead of CGIAR's Evaluation Function, was invited as a speaker to represent the EvalForward community of practice. The session emphasized the critical role of evaluation networks and communities of practice in building capacity, ensuring sustainability, and driving continuous improvement. A key takeaway for Gaia was the need for capacity strengthening at all levels of evaluation practice and the importance of creating effective communication channels and leveraging expertise within these networks.
Marta was inspired by the session "Evaluating how International Organizations Collaborate," which provided a thought-provoking exploration of how to assess the dynamics of international partnerships. The discussion centered on a structured framework for evaluating collaboration, coordination, and cooperation, offering a fresh approach to understanding how these relationships function. Marta was captivated by how this framework could be used to enhance collaboration within organizations such as CGIAR, where effective partnerships across research centers are crucial for success. Marta was also moved by the CGIAR session "How to Make the Most of Joint Work in Evaluation and Audit", which explored how strategic collaborations between audit and evaluation enhance accountability and learning. This panel discussion featuring Svetlana Negroustoueva from CGIAR, together with Nynke De Witte (OSCE), Katia Sediakana Rivière (UNESCO), and Barbara Torggler (IAEA), shared concrete successes and experiences in addressing common challenges. The discussion highlighted how continued adaptability and learning are necessary to improve intersectoral collaboration, drawing on CGIAR's joint PRMS study and evaluation of Science Groups. Marta was impressed by the insights of the four influential women (each holding key roles within their divisions), and their engagement in grappling with similar challenges despite their varied working environments.
Finally, Lea and Marta attended "Dealing with Scarce Resources in Times of the Polycrisis: How to Strengthen the Evaluation of Efficiency (efficiently) through Methodological Innovations and Collaborative Action", which discussed the growing importance of evaluating efficiency in times of multiple crises and tight fiscal constraints. The session touched on various aspects of improving the evaluation of efficiency, and Lea found relevance to her work when the discussion turned to the challenges of assigning monetary values to intangible outcomes and the importance of balancing economic considerations with broader social and environmental changes. Both Lea and Marta are excited to apply these learnings to strengthen the efficiency of evaluation in CGIAR's work.
Presenting at EES2024
Gaia presented the "Evaluability Assessment of Agricultural Research for a Sustainable Future: Insights from CGIAR's Experience in Supporting Impactful and Collaborative Evaluation," together with Svetlana Negroustoueva and Rick Davies, Evaluation Consultant. This presentation was in a joint panel with CIRAD, a long-term partner of CGIAR. They showcased the Evaluability Assessment (EA) guidelines from CGIAR, designed to enhance evaluability, cost-effectiveness, and continuous learning in agricultural research. They shared valuable insights gained from applying the guidelines to the four CGIAR Regional Integrated Initiatives. Their discussions focused on the effectiveness of the framework and the necessary steps to further strengthen its application in future evaluations. Many reflections were echoed from the recent online discussion on the EvalForward platform. They are committed to promoting shared learning and engagement on EAs within the evaluation community.
Lea presented in three sessions in her research analyst role for CGIAR as well as related to her work with Young and Emerging evaluators. She presented the evaluation methods in the "Cluster evaluation of CGIAR Science Groups" together with Ibtissem Jouini, IAES Senior Evaluation Manager, and Enrico Bonaiuti, the Science Group MEL lead representing the evaluand. This session demonstrated the value of continuous, participatory evaluation in improving the effectiveness of agricultural research programs, with a focus on assessing the Quality of Science. Lea also spoke in two panels related to the involvement of youth in evaluation, one with fellow EvalYouth leaders and the other with EES president May Pettigrew, UNFPA's Director Marco Segone, and EES Board Member Taruna Gupta. Presenting in these sessions allowed Lea to share her experiences and insights as a young evaluator, contribute to discussions on participatory evaluation approaches, and advocate for meaningful youth engagement in evaluation.
Xiaoxi presented in two sessions. In one session with Lea, Xiaoxi participated as a discussant in a panel that brought together YEEs from diverse backgrounds to share their experiences and foster a collaborative dialogue on the future of evaluation. In the other paper session, Xiaoxi, with a group of YEEs from Asia, presented a paper "Young and Emerging Evaluators: Champions Now and Beyond: How are the EvalYouth in Asia Facilitating the Ecosystem for Peers' Growth?". The paper highlights the growth trajectories of YEEs in the Asia Pacific and their role as champions in the evaluation community. The paper dives into personal narratives from 40 YEEs across 11 countries, exploring their journey from accidental discoveries to intentional career shifts. Through hands-on experiences, networking, and mentorship, YEEs are driving meaningful social change. This paper emphasizes the potential of YEEs as engines of connection and collaboration within the evaluation ecosystem.
Marta was deeply engaged in all the events organized by the IAES Evaluation Function, playing an active role in supporting both the planning and execution processes behind the scenes. She contributed significantly to shaping the content of the sessions, providing thoughtful input during discussions, particularly on the critical intersection of evaluation and science-a field in which she is eager to further develop her expertise, particularly within CGIAR’s unique environment.
Marta seized the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue with leading experts, such as Michael Quinn Patton, who came to offer his far-reaching insights during the fishbowl session on science and evaluation conducted by SvetlanaNegroustoueva. She sought to understand how to bring added value to her work in evaluation and science. This experience not only sharpened her skills, but also fueled her ambition to take on a more prominent role in future events. She is now more determined than ever to lead her own sessions, driving forward impactful discussions and fostering progress in the areas of evaluation and scientific collaboration.
Final Reflections on the EES Conference Experience
The IAES research analysts found the EES Conference 2024 to be an invaluable experience, providing a platform for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and critical reflection on the evolving field of evaluation. The conference reinforced their commitment to advancing evidence-based decision-making in agriculture and rural development through innovative and adaptive evaluation practices. They are excited to apply the insights gained, such as incorporating diverse voices, using mixed methods and participatory approaches, and fostering purposeful collaborations.
Gaia, Lea, Marta and Xiaoxi are grateful for the opportunity to have attended and presented at the EES Conference 2024, and they look forward to sharing their experiences and learnings with their colleagues at CGIAR IAES. Together, they plan to work towards strengthening their evaluation practices and contributing to sustainable global progress in agriculture and rural development.
For more information on the EES 2024 Conference, visit the official EES Conference 2024 website. Stay tuned for more reflections.
