Navigating contextual and cultural diversity: tailoring evaluation systems to national and regional realities

Moderator

• Thania de la Garza, Caribbean Development Bank, Evaluation Specialist

Panelists

• Abdeslam Nadah, High Commission for Planning, Morocco Director of Planning
• Abinash Dash, Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office, India, Director of Evaluation 
• Camille Spencer, Ministry of Planning and Development, Trinidad and Tobago, Programme Director M&E 
• Craig Barham, Performance Monitoring & Evaluation Branch, Jamaica
• Emil Salim, Office of Evaluation and Oversight, Inter-American Development Bank
• Hasina Rakotozafiarisoa, PREA (Reforms Program for the Efficiency of the Public Administration), Presidency Office, Madagascar General Coordinator
• Karen Rot-Munstermann, African Development Bank Group, Evaluator General 
• Meibo Huang, Shanghai University of International Business and Economics, China, Professor 
• Serena Rossignoli, Caribbean Development Bank, Head of Evaluation
• Thokozile Molaiwa, Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, South Africa, Chief Director Evaluation

Discussion Themes

• M&E systems must be tailored to regional and national contexts, addressing challenges such as resource constraints, data limitations and geographical dispersion to be effective.
• Robust M&E systems are supported by peer-to-peer learning and the exchange of experiences, ensuring that solutions are context-specific and regionally integrated. Meanwhile, fostering a common understanding of evaluation concepts, tools and applications across governments, academia and other stakeholders is vital for ensuring effective use of evaluations.
• In dynamic or crisis-prone regions, it is essential to develop flexible, real-time evaluation methodologies that can quickly address emerging challenges.
• Changes in political will and governance structures significantly affect the implementation and success of M&E systems, and overcoming these barriers is essential for progress.
• Utilizing technological innovations and forming strategic international partnerships can enhance M&E capabilities and bridge gaps in data collection, analysis and implementation.
• Developing M&E systems that are resilient and adaptable is critical to responding effectively to shifting global challenges, including interconnected crises such as climate change.