The Asia Pacific Regional Evaluation Strategy, spearheaded by the Asia Pacific Evaluation Association (APEA) in 2020, identified professionalization of evaluation as a critical theme to foster an evaluation culture in the region. With a focus on enhancing public recognition of the evaluation profession as a service with altruistic value, the Strategy emphasizes the development of Evaluation standards for evaluation professionals. However, a recent survey revealed that a significant portion (72%) of respondents either lack or are unaware of such standards in their countries, highlighting the urgent need for their development. APEA's leadership in crafting the Evaluation Standards not only aids in professionalizing the evaluation function but also guides Voluntary Organizations for Professional Evaluation (VOPEs) in formulating national evaluation standards. Targeted at all VOPEs and stakeholders involved in evaluation activities, the APEA Evaluation Standards aim to provide comprehensive guidance for advancing evaluation practices across the Asia Pacific Region.
PROCESS AND TIMELINE:
Development Phase:
Review existing evaluation standards and guiding principles in other regions and countries, organizations and of academic research fields
Review evaluation standards and guiding principles of other professions in the region, if necessary
First draft PPT of the Evaluation standards to be presented virtually for consultation at the VOPE Summit in 2024 and facilitate breakout rooms to get feedback on the draft Evaluation standards from the VOPEs and EvalYouth representatives.
Final draft of the Evaluation standards to be presented at the APEA Conference in 2025.
Publication and official launch of the Evaluation standards to take place in 2025 and disseminate largely through APEA website and social media platforms.
Rolling out Phase:
APEA and VOPEs to facilitate and contribute to introducing the Evaluation standards to their members, and encourage them to put the Evaluation standards into practice among their VOPEs, organizations and governments, and spread the word out about the launching of the Evaluation standards at every engagement and speaking opportunities at conferences, workshop, and virtual and on-site forums.
Integrate the Evaluation standards into APEA’s Mentor’s Guide and other training packages and initiatives by and for EvalYouth Chapters in the region.
Advocate to integrate the Evaluation standards in the other Products developed under the professionalization theme
APEA to encourage academic programs to include the Evaluation standards in the curriculum of evaluation training programs and to consider developing training courses and workshops related to the subject in public institutions and their Monitoring and Evaluation bodies.
Monitoring and Evaluation Phase:
Carry out periodic survey among APEA member countries regarding the use of the Evaluation standards
Revise periodically to reflect the changing demands on evaluation as contexts change and opportunities emerge.
Completed
6th Virtual Summit on Professionalization of Evaluation for VOPEs and EvalYouth Chapters in the Asia Pacific Region
Hosted by the Professionalization of Evaluation Theme Group (part of the Asia Pacific Regional Evaluation Strategy), this summit unites VOPEs and EvalYouth chapters to discuss their vital role in advancing evaluation professionalism.
=========================
A Session at the 2024 Asian Evaluation Week in Shanghai, Cina
Session Title: Transforming Evaluation Practices in the Asia Pacific through Professionalizing Regional Standards and Code of Ethics
Date: Monday, 2nd September 2024
Duration: 90 minutes
Time: 3.30 pm to 5.00 pm China time
Room: Junior Ballroom
Key takeaway: This presentation will explore how APEA's newly developed Code of Ethics and Evaluation Standards, along with their e-study course on MEL, are set to professionalize the field. Participants will learn how these advancements are transforming evaluation practices and driving organizational change across the Asia Pacific Region.
Resource Persons:
Dr. Asela Kalugampitiya, Former President of Asia Pacific Evaluation Association
Mr. Erwien Temasmico Djayoesman, Board Member of Asia Pacific Evaluation Association
Dr. Rajib Nandi, Chairperson of Community of Evaluators-South Asia
Ms. Erdenechimeg (Chimgee) Ulziisuren, Founder and President of Mongolian Evaluation Association
Prof. Yoko Ishida, President of Asia Pacific Evaluation Association
============
Professionalization Webinar
Topic: The Way Forward on Professionalization of Evaluation: A Conversation on Learnings and Challenges between Latin America and Asia Pacific
Date: Tuesday, 21st May 2024 Time: 6.30 PM IST
======
The Code of conduct for evaluators in the Asia Pacific Region.
The theme members are working on the development of the Code of conduct for evaluators in the Asia Pacific Region The concept note and plan has been finalized for this activity the team has already developed the first draft which was presented at the 4th VOPE and EvalYouth Summit held on 23rd May 2023. The finalized Code of conduct for evaluators in the Asia Pacific Region was launched at the 4th APEA conference in December 2023.
4th Virtual Summit on Professionalization of Evaluation for VOPEs and EvalYouth Chapters in Asia Pacific Region
23 May 2023 | 10AM IST
Third Virtual Summit on Professionalization of Evaluation for VOPEs and EvalYouth Chapters in Asia Pacific Region
The ‘Professionalization of Evaluation Theme’’ of Asia Pacific Evaluation Association, together with Asia Pacific Communication Hub (APC Hub) conducted the Third Virtual Summit on Professionalization of Evaluation for VOPEs and EvalYouth Chapters in Asia Pacific Region on 28th November 2022.The broader objective of this summit is to understand what has been already accomplished on professionalization of evaluation in the region by VOPEs & EvalYouth Chapters and to understand the role of VOPEs and EvalYouth chapters on promoting professionalization.
Second Virtual Summit on Professionalization of Evaluation for VOPEs and EvalYouth Chapters in Asia Pacific Region
Professionalization of Evaluation Theme of Asia Pacific Evaluation Association, together with Asia Pacific Communication Hub (APC Hub) conducted the Second Virtual Summit on Professionalization of Evaluation for VOPEs and EvalYouth Chapters in Asia Pacific Region on 25th May 2022.The broader objective of this summit is to understand what has been already accomplished on professionalization of evaluation in the region by VOPEs & EvalYouth Chapters and to understand the role of VOPEs and EvalYouth chapters on promoting professionalization.
The participation for this summit is only by invitation and representatives from over 17 VOPEs & EY Chapters in Asia Pacific region participated to the summit shared their experiences & updates in their countries with the others.
Brown Bag series of Professionalization of Evaluation
Session 1
''Professionalization of Evaluation: The Journey in Sri Lanka'' presented by Sri Lanka Evaluation Association and EvalYouth Sri Lanka was held on 29th April at 3.00 PM IST.
Session 2
Professionalization of Evaluation: A Case of Japan presented by Japan Evaluation Society was held on 27th May at 3.00 PM IST.
Session 3
Professionalization of Evaluation: Experiences & Learning from India presented by ECOI & EvalYouth India was held on24th June at 3.00 PM IST.
Session 4
Professionalization of Evaluation: presented by Pakistan Evaluation Association & EvalYouth Pakistan was held on29th July at 10.30 AM IST.
Session 5
Professionalization of Evaluation: Experience in Nepal presented by Nepal Evaluation Society was held on 26th August at 10.30 AM IST.
Session 6
Session 6 of Brown of Brown Bag Series Professionalization of Evaluation: Discussing Enabling Environment in Bhutan was presented by Evaluation Association Bhutan & EvalYouth Bhutan was held on 30th September at 10.30 AM IST.
Session 7
Session 7 of Brown Bage Series on Professionalization of Evaluation:Challenges, Lessons Learned & Way Forward in Philippines presented by Philippines Evaluators for Development(PHILDEV) & EvalYouth Philippines was held on 28th October at 10.30 AM IST.
The webinar series on ‘Competencies for Evaluators’ which was organized by APEA and IRIPE started in April and completed in November 2021. This series consisted of eight informative webinars on different competencies which were important to professionals, especially YEEs in the M & E field.
VOPE’s Summit on Professionalization of Evaluation in the Asia Pacific
The first-ever VOPE’s Summit on Professionalization of Evaluation in the Asia Pacific region was held on November 20, 2021, at 10 am IST. This summit was organized by the professionalization thematic working group of the Asia Pacific Evaluation Association. The event was conducted online through the zoom platform. The broader objective of this summit was to bring representatives from 31 VOPEs and 9 EvalYouth Chapters from the Asia Pacific region together to review the status of professionalization drive, bring fresh perspectives about the regional landscape of professionalizing evaluation and share some best practices.
Virtual Consultation on Professionalization of Evaluation
The Online Consultation on Professionalization of Evaluation was successfully conducted on Thursday, 02 September 2021 from 5.30pm to 7.00pm IST. This consultation was organized by Inter-Regional Initiative for Professionalization of Evaluation (IRIPE) member VOPEs in collaboration with Asia Pacific Evaluation Association (APEA), Eval4Action Campaign, and the Asia Pacific Communication Hub (APC). Around 160 participants representing different VOPEs, development organizations across the globe participated to this event . The objectives set out for this consultation are as follows:
To create further awareness on need for the professionalization of evaluation
To engage more actors in promoting professionalization of evaluation
To improve IRIPE strategies with inputs received in the consultation
