Under a massive and slowly spinning earthen globe in the SSE Hydro in Glasgow Scotland, I joined a meditation circle of 12 people led by two monks from Plum Village Monastery in France. The Monastery, founded by Thich Nhat Han, has become a spiritual lifeline for several of the leaders of CoP26. This makes sense when you consider … Read more
This Blue Marble Evaluation community was formed in 2019, just before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted nearly everything in our world. We have been so grateful to have this virtual community over the past three years to navigate the changing landscape of our world together. In 2023, we will host monthly community gatherings that are more … Read more
Blue Marble Evaluation (BME) teams have been working to synthesize themes across the hundreds of Independent Dialogues, resulting in the following reports: Interim Synthesis Report 1: Based on the initial 17 feedback forms, presents a generative and illustrative set of emerging themes. Interim Synthesis Report 2: More than 100 Independent Dialogues have produced 10 guiding themes. Final Synthesis … Read more
Are you a development practitioner, academic or donor interested in the design and implementation of programmes that serve people and the planet, that contribute to global programmes while implementing locally? Are you an evaluator working in southern Africa and interested in understanding how interventions are contributing to change in complex and dynamic contexts and keen … Read more
When we set out to create the Blue Marble Evaluation network, it is safe to say that we did not really know what we were doing. We received a lot of great advice and tremendous support from the McKnight Foundation and from many of our members and friends. We have been overwhelmed with the positive … Read more
The publication of the new 5th edition of Utilization-Focused Evaluation provides an opportunity to revisit the interconnection between Blue Marble Evaluation and Utilization-Focused Evaluation. In essence, Blue Marble evaluations should be utilization-focused so Utilization-Focused Evaluation provides the overarching framework for Blue Marble Evaluation. This blog summarizes how we address the interconnection in the new book. Intergenerational … Read more
As 2021 draws to a close, we would like to thank you for your ongoing engagement with Blue Marble Evaluation. This network emerged out of a vision to connect evaluators around the world under a common set of principles, with the goal of transforming evaluation to ensure its relevance to global systems transformation towards equity and sustainability. … Read more
Equinox Edition Welcome Back! As we begin to see signs of fall in the northern hemisphere and prepare to welcome spring in the south, we are happy to be back in action! It’s been a few months since we sent out a newsletter, but we are making up for it with an email chock full of goodies. … Read more
As part of preparation and building momentum for the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit more than 900 Independent Dialogues have taken place around the world. These Summit Dialogues aim to offer a seat at the table to all interested stakeholders, giving them an opportunity to debate, collaborate, and provide input into deliberations on the future of food. Conveners of … Read more
The Blue Marble Evaluation Network (BME) has been commissioned to synthesize the reports of Independent Dialogues as part of preparation for the UN Food Systems Summit in September. Through June more than 700 Independent Dialogues have been registered. It is helpful to locate the contributions of the Independent Dialogues in relation to the other workstreams of preparation and planning for the … Read more
