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Yin-Yang Principle

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Sidebar - Principles

  • - SUBNAVIGATION -
  • Principles
    • Global Thinking
    • Anthropocene as Context
    • Transformative Engagement
    • Integration
    • Operating Principles
      • Transboundary Engagement
      • GLOCAL
      • Cross Siloes
      • Time being of the essence
      • Yin-Yang
      • Bricolage Methods
      • World Savvy
      • Skin in the Game
      • Theory of transformation
      • Transformation Fidelity
      • Transformational Alignment
      • Evaluation as Intervention

Harmonize conceptual opposites.

Premise

We live a world that divides us with national borders and sector silos, fueling nationalism, xenophbia and conflict. What is striking about the iconic Blue Marble photo from space is its wholeness. No nation-state divisions. No sector silos. The image is neither long-term nor short-term, but now. Blue Marble evaluation aims for that wholeness of perspective as a guide to wholeness of understanding to inform holistic action. To achieve that sense of wholeness necessitates seeing and engaging with different perspectives, harmonizing opposites,  integrating divisions, transcending boundaries, and overcoming polarities.

Implications

  • How you harmonize depends on circumstance, the nature of polarities you are encountering, the depth and degree of opposition, and myriad other factors.
  • The yin-yang operating principle provides specific guidance for adhering to and applying the overarching Blue Marble Integration Principle: Integrate the Blue Marble principles in the design, engagement with, and evaluation of systems change and transformation initiatives.
  • The yin-yang principle is a philosophical mindset not a procedural technique; it provides conceptual guidance for harmonizing opposites as appropriate and useful, but is not a rule that all opposites must be harmonized.
  • Design and evaluation are not intrinsic opposites, but are typically treated as separate and sequential. The Blue marble perspective of wholeness and integration applies to design and evaluation.

Related resources

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This webinar provides an in-depth look at how one foundation applied the Blue Marble Evaluation principles to their work. 



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This webinar is now complete. Recording currently unavailable. Please check back soon.

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Book Review: Blue Marble Premises and Principles

Summary: Michael Quinn Patton’s Blue Marble Evaluation is a forward-looking, path-breaking, and timely contribution to evaluation theory and practice. The title of the book evokes the Blue Marble shot—a photograph of the whole earth taken by the Apollo 17 astronauts in 1972. The preface of the book…

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Principle 1: Global Thinking, Principle 2: Anthropocene as Context, Principle 3: Transformative Engagement, Principle 4: Integration, Principle 5: Transboundary Engagement, Principle 6: GLOCAL, Principle 7: Cross-silos, Principle 8: Time being of the essence, Principle 9. Yin-Yang, Principle 10: Bricolage Methods, Principle 11: World Savvy, Principle 12: Skin-in-the-Game, Principle 13: Theory of Transformation, Principle 14: Transformation Fidelity, Principle 15: Transformational Alignment, Principle 16: Evaluation as Intervention
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