The Youth in Evaluation week 2024 (8-12 July 2024) was a resounding success, bringing together young and emerging evaluators (YEEs) and senior evaluation professionals to connect, learn, and celebrate their contributions to evaluation. Over five days, about 47 events from all over the world explored six dimensions of the Youth in Evaluation standards - leadership and accountability, practice, advocacy and capacity building, knowledge management and communication, human resources and financial resources.
The week commenced on 8 July 2024, with a distinguished global inauguration featuring Dr. Natalia Kanem, UNFPA Executive Director, and Felipe Paullier, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs. The event also recognized six Super Champions and 13 Emerging Super Champions, acknowledging their outstanding contributions in advancing young people in evaluation.
The three globally-focused partner events showcased good practices from various sectors, including governments and academia, VOPEs and youth organizations and international organizations and the private sector. The insightful X space dialogue on 10 July 2024 facilitated a dynamic exchange between young and senior evaluators, exploring effective strategies for career advancement in evaluation. The EvalYouth-led closing event on 12 July 2024 served as a powerful culmination, highlighting the remarkable achievements and progress made in promoting youth engagement in evaluation across diverse regions and sectors.
The Youth in Evaluation week 2024 successfully promoted youth engagement in evaluation, as demonstrated by five progress markers. Organizers' reports and participant feedback were used to assess the progress and chart future directions for Youth in Evaluation advocacy. The five progress markers are as follows:
Widespread adoption of Youth in Evaluation advocacy: Nearly 90% of the organizers integrated Youth in Evaluation week events into their annual work plans, demonstrating a strong commitment to fostering youth participation in evaluation.
Diverse and inclusive reach: The events spanned six regions, in addition to six global events. Half of the events were youth-led, and nearly 80% were held in the Global South. The Youth in Evaluation week 2024 was attended by about 2,750 participants, with young people comprising nearly half (42%) of the attendees. The events, held in 9 languages, fostered global engagement and inclusivity.
Knowledge and skill development for youth: The week featured a variety of events, including webinars, workshops, panel discussions, and social gatherings. These events covered a wide range of topics relevant to YEEs, such as career development, evaluation methodologies, and the role of evaluation in social change. A remarkable 75% of participants found the events instrumental in expanding their knowledge or honing their evaluation skills.
Increased interest in evaluation: The majority of the young participants expressed greater interest in evaluation as a career path after attending the events.
Commitment to the Youth in Evaluation standards: In lead up to the Youth in Evaluation week, 45 organizations representing 5 stakeholder groups self-reported on the uptake of the standards, which led to the selection of the 2024 Youth in Evaluation champions.
What’s next?
Interested to learn more about Youth in Evaluation champions 2024? Stay connected to #Eval4Action to discover their inspiring stories and good practices.
Adopt the Youth in Evaluation standards and self-report to be recognized as a champion in 2025. Learn how to submit your self-assessment.
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