Dr. Awuor Ponge’s Participation at IDEAS Conference 2025 in Rome, Italy

The IDEAS Conference and Global Assembly 2025 was an important event in my calendar for various reasons. It was not only my first time to be in Italy, but was also my first time to be in Rome, that houses the Vatican, the Seat of the Pope. It was a celebration of 10 years after my first IDEAS Global Assembly in 2015 in Bangkok, Thailand. I wish to mention that I served in the board of IDEAS representing Sub-Saharan Africa between 2014 – 2017. This conference was also a moment to reflect on the work I had started at IDEAS on youth mentorship and the journey we have gone over the years. I introduced the youth membership at IDEAS, lobbied the Board to introduce a youth membership fee, and started the mentoring young and emerging evaluators as a Working Group. This has now transitioned into a fully fledged IDEAS Thematic Interest Group (ITIG).

The IDEAS Global Assembly of 2025 was a three-day event. The first day of the event was devoted to Pre-Conference Capacity Development Workshops. I did not attend any of these as we are increasingly creating space for the Young and Emerging Evaluators (YEEs) in as much as they also reverse-mentor us, the Oldies in matters of technology for evaluation and the use of artificial intelligence.

The second day of the event was actually the first day of the Conference. I attended the Opening Ceremony and Plenary, which was moderated by Ms. Ada Ocampo, President, IDEAS; Mr. Ashwani K. Muthoo, Director-General, Independant Evaluation Office, New Development Bank and Dr. Manas Puri, Senior Professional, IEO, New Development Bank. The Keynote Speakers for this session were: Dr. QU Dongyu, Director-General, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations;? H.E. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, Arab Republic of Egypt; Mr. Sergio Firpo, National Secretary for Monitoring and Evaluation of Public Policies, Ministry of Planning and Budget, Brazil and Hon. Kabir Hashim, President, Global Parliamentarians for Evaluations, Sri Lanka.

After the Opening Plenary, I attended my next session, which was on: “Parliamentarian Perspectives: What Are the Needs and Why Does it Matter?” This session was moderated by Ms. Anca Dumitrescu, Lead Evaluation Specialist, International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie). The Speakers in this Panel were: Hon. Jérémie Adomahou, APNODE Chairperson, National Assembly of Benin; Hon. Kabir Hashim, President, Global Parliamentarians Forum for Evaluation; and Mr. Timothy Lubanga, Commissioner for Monitoring and Evaluation, OPM Uganda. This session focused on the role of evaluation in driving transformational change, and included discussions on how Parliamentarians use evidence-based decision-making, it also explored how Parliamentarians' needs for robust evidence influence policy-making and why this matters for effective governance and societal impact.

After lunch on Day 1, I attended a Special session by Prof. Michael Quinn Patton and? Ms. Charmagne Campbell-Patton on: “Using the Earth Declaration on Evaluation at the Nexus to Support Transformational Change.” This session was moderated Ms. Sajida H. Shroff, who is a Board member of IDEAS. The presenters were: Prof. Michael Quinn Patton, Founder and CEO of Utilization-Focused Evaluation; and Ms. Charmagne E. Campbell-Patton, Director, Organizational Learning and Evaluation at Utilization-Focused Evaluation. In this lunch-hour meeting, Father and Daughter took the participants through the "Global Declaration on Evaluation for Transformational Change" which was adopted at the 2019 IDEAS Conference in Prague, emphasising partnership and shared responsibilities in evaluation. Following the COVID-19 pandemic and deepening global crises, an updated commitment was endorsed on Earth Day 2024, focusing on addressing climate and sustainability challenges. They emphasised that this commitment encourages evaluators to integrate environmental, social, and economic sustainability criteria into evaluations, using declarations like those from Prague and Earth Day to drive systemic transformation and collective action. The climax as is always the case with Quinn-Patton presentations was the Chorus of the Evaluators Anthem aka the Blue Marble Evaluation Anthem.

I then moved to another session dedicated to YEEs, dubbed: “Partnership for Championing Youth in Evaluation.” The Key Speakers at this session were: Ms. Ana Erika Lareza, Chair, EvalYouth Global Network; Dr. Antonina Rishko-Porcescu, Consultant, UNEG WG for YEEs; Mr. Khalil Bitar, President, International Organization for Cooperation in Evaluation; and Mr. Marco Segone, Director, UNFPA Independent Evaluation Office. The key take-away from this session was the journey the YEEs have gone through, from the initiation of the EvalYouth as a global network way back in 2015 during the international year oif evaluation, to the present, where the YEEs have gone the full cycle and are now fully in the driving seat in the leadership of VOPEs, special thanks to the work that was started by Mr. Marco Segone.

In a session moderated by Mr. Ashwani K. Muthoo, the Director General, Independent Evaluation Office, New Development Bank, it was refreshing listening to the virtual lecture entitled "Evaluation, Innovation and Development" and delivered by Professor Michael Robert Kremer, of the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago and Economics Nobel Prize Winner (2019). The Nobel Laureate is a leading figure in development economics, and his lecture contributed to the conference's focus on evaluation and innovation in development. He shared with practical examples his work on randomized controlled trials in development economics and his efforts to transform global research in this field. This lecture aligned well with the conference's theme on transformative role of evaluation, providing valuable insights on how to effectively evaluate development initiatives and promote innovation in addressing global challenges.

After the lecture, it was time to close the day with the Joint Reception hosted by the Rome-Based Agencies (RBA), the GEF, IDEAS, NDB-IEO, and EvalForEarth.? The Rome-Based Agencies (RBAs) are the three United Nations organizations that focus on food security, agriculture, and rural development. They are: the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO); International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Food Programme (WFP).

This also served as the official Launch Event for EvalForEarth, a newly formed Community of Practice (CoP) that focuses on advancing evaluation in the areas of food security, environment, agriculture, and rural development. It emerged from the merger of two prior communities, EvalForward and EarthEval, combining their expertise to create a more unified platform for addressing these critical global challenges. The initiative is supported by organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the CGIAR Independent Advisory and Evaluation Service (IAES). EvalForEarth aims to foster collaboration among evaluators, researchers, and practitioners to enhance evaluation capacities, particularly in scaling efforts within agricultural research for development. It promotes discussions, knowledge sharing, and innovative approaches to improve evaluation practices in transforming agri-food systems and addressing environmental sustainability.

On Day 2 of the Conference, on Thursday March 6, 2025, I started the day by attending a Keynote Panel entitled: “Collaborative Evaluation Strategies:? Engaging Stakeholders for Transformational Change.” This session was moderated by Mr. Manas Puri, Senior Professional, IEO, New Development Bank. This Keynote Panel brought together some high priofile personalities that included: Mr. Sergio Firpo, National Secretary for Monitoring and Evaluation of Public Policies, Ministry of Planning and Budget, Brazil; Ms. Dima Al-Khatib, Director, United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation; Mr. Marco Segone, Director, IEO, United Nations Population Fund; and Ms. Geeta Batra, Director, IEO, Global Environment Facility.?

After the Keynote Panel, I attended the session on: “Using Evaluation to Build a Regenerative Future”. This Panel consisted of the top leadership of the International Evaluation Academy (IEAc) as well as friends of the IEAc. These included: Prof. Ian Goldman, President, International Evaluation Academy; Mr. Ian Kendrick, Friend, International Evaluation Academy; Ms. Matodzi Michelle Amisi, Friend, International Evaluation Academy; and Prof. Zenda Ofir, Transformation and Evaluation Specialist and Member, High Level Advisory Committee, NDB. Their presentation centred on the International Evaluation Academy (IEAc) led 3 Horizons foresight work that they have been doing on how evaluation can contribute to addressing the polycrisis – building a regenerative future.

In my capacity as the Vice-President of the African Evaluation Association (AfrEA), I represented the AfrEA President, Dr. Miche Ouedraogo in a Session titled: “Supporting National Evaluation Networks: Experiences and Approaches from Regional Evaluation Associations in Latin America & Caribbean, Africa, and Asia.” In this Panel presentation, I discussed the African Evaluation Association's (AfrEA) strategies for supporting national evaluation networks in Africa. These strategies include technical assistance and capacity building initiatives like grants, workshops, and training programs to strengthen Voluntary Organizations for Professional Evaluation (VOPEs). AfrEA also focuses on sustainable network development through membership expansion, diversified funding, and stakeholder engagement, while promoting Africa-rooted evaluation practices and addressing challenges like limited participation and funding diversification.

This panel brought together representatives from three regional evaluation associations to share their distinct experiences and approaches in supporting the development of national evaluation networks within their regions. The three regional evaluation associations were: Latin America and Caribbean Evaluation Network (ReLAC), African Evaluation Association (AfrEA), and Asia Pacific Evaluation Association (APEA). The session was moderated by Ms. Ada Ocampo, President, International Development Evaluation Association (IDEAS). The Panelists were: Prof. Yoko Ishida, President, APEA; Dr. Awuor Ponge, Vice-President, AfrEA; Ms. Brenda Bucheli, General Coordinator, ReLAC and Mr. Khalil Bitar, President, IOCE.

Through structured dialogue, we, the representatives from of the regional VOPEs, each presented our unique strategies, challenges, and successful practices in strengthening national evaluation capacities, professionalisation, and networks. The 90-minute session explored three key aspects of regional-national network relationships. The first item discussed by the Panelists was Support Mechanisms and Strategies, specifically touching on: How each regional association provides technical assistance, Capacity building initiatives for national networks; Resource sharing and knowledge management approaches; and Professional development support.

We also highlighted how each of the Regional VOPEs were addressing the challenges, specifically: how each regional association helps national networks overcome common obstacles; Strategies for sustainable network development; Approaches to engaging stakeholders and maintaining member participation and Support for institutional strengthening.

Lastly, we shared success stories and lessons learned: we gave examples of effective support that led to stronger national networks; critical factors for successful regional-national collaboration; gave insights on adapting support to different national contexts; and finally shared lessons from less successful experiences. Participants at this session had the opportunity to engage with representatives from each regional association, gaining insights into different models of regional support for national evaluation networks. The session concluded with a reflection on key takeaways and implications for strengthening regional support to national evaluation networks. The key takeaways was delivered by the President of the IOCE, Mr. Khalil Bitar.

I had the privilege to attend the IDEAS Annual General Meeting during the lunch hour. The leadership of IDEAS highlighted the good work they have done over the past years and the development of their new Strategic Plan that will guide their operations going forward.

After the IDEAS AGM, I attended the Session on Mentoring the Young and Emerging evaluators (YEEs). YEEs face significant challenges in entering the evaluation field due to the paradoxical requirement of experience for entry-level positions. Despite these obstacles, YEEs have increasingly gained recognition within the evaluation community, contributing to equity and professionalization in the field. The presentation advocates for greater youth participation in evaluation, positioning YEEs as critical thinkers and agents of change who can shape future evaluation practices in Africa and drive positive transformations in the field.

I was a Panelist in the session titled: “Becoming Catalysts: Young and Emerging Evaluators as Agents of Change in Evaluation Practices in Africa,” This session was moderated by IDEAS Vice-President, Serge Eric Yakeu Djiam. The other Panelist for this session was AfrEA Treasurer and IDEAS Board Member, Eddah Kanini. Two other Panelists were unable to make it to Rome, namely: Florence Etta and Wanjiru MURIGO . I highlighted the critical role of Young and Emerging Evaluators (YEEs) in reshaping evaluation practices in Africa, emphasising the need to move from evaluating youth to conducting evaluations with and by them. The African Evaluation Association (AfrEA) actively supports YEEs through networking, capacity building, and practical experience opportunities, enhancing their growth and involvement in governance of the Voluntary Organization for Professional Evaluation (VOPE).

In my presentation, I demonstrated how AfrEA empowers Young and Emerging Evaluators (YEEs) through several key initiatives. Firstly, AfrEA provides networking opportunities by offering platforms for YEEs to connect with other professionals and established evaluators, facilitating collaboration and knowledge exchange. Secondly, it focuses on capacity building by strengthening YEEs' evaluation content knowledge through various programs and events like gLocal and Eval4Action. Thirdly, AfrEA offers practical experience through mentorship opportunities within regions, allowing YEEs to gain hands-on experience in evaluation practices. Lastly, AfrEA supports YEEs through strategic involvement in governance and conferences, encouraging their participation in national Voluntary Organizations for Professional Evaluation (VOPEs) and promoting the "Made in Africa Evaluation" approach. I encouraged the YEEs to advocate for youth participation, promote equity, and embrace innovative methods to shape a youth-participatory evaluation culture in Africa, ultimately urging them to take on leadership roles.

EvalTorch Ceremony

The climax of the IDEAS Conference in Rome was the The Evaluation Torch event as it was a symbolic and significant moment. This session was moderated by Asela Ranjith Lal Kalugampitiya, the Evaluation Capacity Development Specialist at UNFPA. This symbolic event represented the collective commitment of the global evaluation community to drive transformational change through evaluation. The torch was passed among key figures in the field, symbolising the shared responsibility and collaborative effort required to address the world's most pressing challenges through robust and innovative evaluation practices. The key figures who graced the high table at the event included: Mr. Marco Segone, Director – UNFPA Independent Evaluation Office; Ms. Ana Erika Lareza, Chair, EvalYouth Global Network; Hon. Kabir Hashim, Chair, Global Parliamentarians Forum for Evaluation; Dr. Rajib Nandi, Chairperson, Community of Evaluators, South Asia; Mr. Khalil Bitar, President, International Organization for Cooperation in Evaluation; Ms. Ada Ocampo, President, International Development Evaluation Association and Mr. Chao Sun, Senior professional IOE, NDB.

This event highlighted the importance of multi-dimensional evaluation in shaping evidence-based decision-making and fostering sustainable development. It underscored the need for evaluation to move beyond metrics and actively influence policies and innovations that can lead to meaningful progress. The Evaluation Torch event also served as a reminder of the critical role that evaluation plays in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and addressing complex issues such as climate change, social inequities, and economic uncertainties.

Closing Ceremony

Finally, the IDEAS Conference 2025 came to a close with strong statements from the following: Ms. Ada Ocampo, President, International Development Evaluation Association; Mr. Ashwani K. Muthoo, Director General, Independent Evaluation Office, NDB; Ms. Ana Erika Lareza, Chair, EvalYouth Global Network and Dr. Marie Gaarder, Executive Director, 3ie. The closing session was moderated by Mr. Henrique Pissaia, Principal Professional, IEO, NDB.?

All the Panelists emphasised on the stronger role of evaluation for transformative development; and the role of evaluation in addressing the polycrisis emphasising the need for innovative and adaptive evaluation practices that can capture the complexities of interconnected global crises. It highlights the importance of systemic thinking, collaboration, and transformative approaches to drive meaningful change and resilience in the face of multifaceted challenges.

My key takeaways from the Conference are as follows:

1. The Role of Evaluation in Transformational Change: Discussions emphasised how evaluation can drive real-world transformational change by addressing complex global challenges such as climate change, social inequities, and economic uncertainties. This included the need for evaluations to go beyond metrics and influence sustainable development policies.
2. Systems Approach to Evaluation: A key focus was on adopting a systems approach that recognizes the interdependencies among human, economic, and natural systems. This approach aims to ensure evaluations are inclusive and uphold the rights and aspirations of all individuals.
3. Innovative Evaluation Practices: The Anthropocene and polycrisis are interconnected as both highlight the significant impact of human activities on Earth's ecosystems, leading to multiple, intertwined global crises. Evaluation can help address these by providing innovative, systemic, and adaptive approaches to understand and mitigate the complex interactions and consequences of these crises. The meeting highlighted the importance of promoting innovative and influential evaluation practices that contribute to learning, policy shaping, and effective implementation of sustainable development goals.