Reflections on the SAMEA Conference 2024: A Journey Towards Transformation in M&E

The SAMEA Conference is more than just an event; it's a gathering of professionals dedicated to building an accountable, transparent future for citizens. This year's event stood out as the M&E community united around decolonizing practices and embraced the urgency of a just transition. While individual objectives may vary, our shared mission is clear: creating a sustainable, equitable future for both people and the planet.

Key Takeaways

1. Impact Measurement and Management (IMM): Timothy Leslie, our MERL Officer, highlighted the debut of IMM at the conference. Effective IMM practices contribute to more equitable social outcomes in South Africa. Key discussions included: IMM as a lean method for managing impact investments. The potential of IMM to enhance accountability and transparency, with publicly available reports guiding decisions for impact investors. Opportunities in agriculture, which accounts for 80% of impact investments in Africa, underscoring the continent’s vital role in global food security.
2. Technology and Innovation: Vongai Chibvongodze, one of our associates, shared insights from the Tech-Enabled MERL presentations. Technological advancements, particularly in Machine Learning, Generative AI, and Blockchain, show tremendous potential for increasing efficiency and effectiveness in M&E projects. Hands-on workshops spurred rich conversations, urging participants to consider both the opportunities and challenges posed by these technologies.
3. Supporting Emerging Evaluators: Ruvimbo Gombakomba, one of our interns who has made positive contributions to our team, reflected on the Young Emerging Evaluators (YEE) Program. Bridging the gap between emerging and experienced evaluators through targeted training is crucial for professional growth. Key lessons included the importance of ongoing capacity building, expanding networking opportunities, and refining recruitment to align with learning goals.

In her reflections on the conference, Roxanne Williams, Head of Marketing for Data Innovators, emphasized the fantastic opportunity the team had to connect with industry colleagues and engage with attendees at their stand. She noted, "Having attended this conference for the first time, I am thrilled to see a community so connected and willing to learn from one another and collaborate. We had so many people at our stand, and I loved the visibility offered to an organization like ours. We look forward to participating again in the future."

As proud members of the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) community, we at Data Innovators were thrilled to participate in the South African Monitoring Evaluation Association SAMEA Conference 2024. With the leadership of Mutsa Carole Chinyamakobvu our Associate Director and Deputy Chair of the SAMEA board, we had the honor of representing Data Innovators alongside friends and key players in the M&E sector who are equally passionate about evidence-informed decision-making and transformation.

At Data Innovators, we remain committed to leveraging data-driven approaches to push boundaries and create positive futures. We look forward to continuing this journey with our partners, working together to foster impactful changes in our fields.

Thank you to all who contributed to making this event a success. Together, we are shaping a transformative future in M&E!

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