Date: Thursday, May 26, 2022
Championing Youth in Evaluation!
Colleagues, like many of you, the American Evaluation Association (AEA) has contended over the last several years on evaluation’s own history in promoting inequitable and exclusive practices—all with the goal of reimagining what a responsible evaluation practice could and should look like. In fact, and as you know, our conference theme this year is relatedly “(re)shaping evaluation together.”
Youth and young evaluators are a key part of reshaping what the evaluation practice of tomorrow will be. They are both the future demanders of a just evaluation practice, as well as the future designers of the new theories, methods and approaches needed to meet this demand.
In order to uphold the core tenets of AEA’s Mission, Vision and Values, to be an “inclusive, diverse and international community of practice,” it is paramount for us to engage and integrate this growing segment of our evaluation community in substantive and strategic ways.
At the AEA, we are supporters of youth and young evaluators across our work. Much of this support occurs within Topical Interest Groups (TIGs) such as the Graduate Student and New Evaluator TIG and the Youth-Focused Evaluation TIG. It also includes engaging the Graduate Education Diversity Interns (GEDI) to redefine “who AEA is” and “who AEA will be.” Access is key, and so, this year, we are partnering with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to provide a specific pre-conference professional development workshop, at no cost to young and emerging evaluators. Finally, AEA joined Voluntary Organizations for Professional Evaluation (VOPEs) from around the world this month to signal our commitment to Youth in Evaluation. To read more about how to become a champion take a look as well as consider signing the manifesto, a call to action to meaningfully engage youth and young evaluators in evaluation. We thank the contributions of Zach Tilton, our AEA EvalYouth North American Representative, and many of you for championing this work over the last few years.
The 2022 Summer Evaluation Institute is right around the corner! Workshops for this event are still open. Register now to join us in-person June 6–8 in Atlanta, Georgia. Workshops for this event are still open. Register now to join us in-person June 6–8 in Atlanta, Georgia.
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As evaluators, we have a responsibility to act with urgency to help transform the systems, policies and practices that have created today’s challenges, as well as help build toward a more equitable, sustainable future.
The conference will have three areas of focus:
These three topics are often approached and addressed with siloed, vertical thinking which limits comprehensive, holistic and systematic solutions. Evaluation 2022 invites you to move beyond these artificial barriers and consider how to integrate, reconsider and reimagine a new future together. Join us in New Orleans from November 7–12 in (re) shaping evaluation together.
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Donate to the Giving Campaign to support AEA’s Global Community
The American Evaluation Association’s Giving Campaign supports programs that foster inclusive, diverse and international communities of practice. One of these programs is the 2022 International Travel Awards.
The International Travel Awards are given annually to professional evaluators living and practicing in under-resourced countries with financial hardships. By donating, you will help give evaluators across the globe equal opportunities to participate in AEA education that will advance their careers.
We anticipate rewarding four International Travel Award stipends of up to $2,000 USD each for Evaluation 2022, taking place November 7-12 in New Orleans.
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