5 takeaways: Is evaluation fulfilling its potential to advance global social justice?

In observance of the World Day of Social Justice, the seventh Future of Evaluation dialogue was convened on 19 February 2026 to explore how evaluation can serve as a mechanism for addressing systemic inequalities.

The dialogue called for transforming evaluation from a "technocratic box-ticking" exercise into a profession that advances public accountability by actively centering marginalized voices. A fundamental shift was called for: moving from "power over" toward a "power with" model that considers local communities as equal partners in decision-making. This transformation is presented as essential for ensuring evaluation remains relevant in a world facing a polycrisis of climate change, extreme inequality, and the rapid integration of emerging technologies. In case you missed the conversation, watch the recording.

Five quick takeaways from the dialogue

1. Prioritize moral judgment and social relevance through downward accountability. Evaluation education must evolve beyond technical mechanics into a comprehensive education framework that considers evaluation as a vital public service. Success of an evaluation is best measured by social impact and the reflection of local realities rather than donor compliance or technical execution alone. Traditional "upward accountability" should shift toward a model of "downward accountability", where evaluation findings are shared back with communities in accessible ways. The ultimate goal of improving lives is at risk if evaluation findings ignore what the community actually needs, or if evaluators focus more on mastering technical tools than on making fair, ethical judgments.By centering the perspectives of the communities, evaluation is moved beyond a "tick-box" exercise to become a bridge between evidence and real-world change.

2. Transition from "human machines" to values-driven evaluators. As generative AI becomes more prevalent in data processing, the unique value proposition of a human evaluator is found in the ability to apply values, context, and ethical foresight. If evaluators act merely as "human machines" following rigid algorithms, they become replaceable. Instead, the profession must be shifted toward "responsible AI" use and human-centric judgment. Evaluators are not neutral observers; they can be viewed as agents of change who must check their own biases and motives to ensure that data is not stripped of its social context.

3. Institutionalize intergenerational "co-creation" spaces. The future of the evaluation is dependent on bridging the gap between senior professionals and youth. Synergy is built into spaces, where methodological wisdom and "business smarts" are provided by seniors to navigate the market, while young evaluators bring a fresh perspective that challenges established assumptions. Youth should not be relegated to data-collection roles; they must be engaged in designing evaluations and reporting to ensure the profession remains adaptive to current social realities and global trends.

4. Decolonize curricula through diverse knowledge systems. Evaluation education must be decolonized to include indigenous, community-based, and local knowledge systems. It was noted that current evaluation frameworks are often biased toward North American and Western perspectives, leading to the misrepresentation of local cultures. Education is made more inclusive by acknowledging "epistemic diversity"—recognizing that oral histories, storytelling, and spiritual practices are rigorous forms of evidence. By incorporating indigenous methodologies and relational accountability, evaluation training is made more globally relevant and respectful of the people it serves.

5. Move from retrospective reporting to evaluative foresight. As global crises like climate migration and digital exclusion accelerate, evaluation must be moved from looking backward to looking forward. Evaluative foresight is utilized, involving the use of future-focused questions and systems thinking to prevent inequities before they become entrenched. By shifting from "what happened" to "what might happen next”, organizations can be helped to adjust in real-time. A "learning loop" is created, allowing for course correction during implementation and ensuring that a better future is shaped rather than just the past being explained.

   
   

The Eval4Action Future of Evaluation dialogues are a series of forward-looking discussions that explore innovative and adaptive approaches to evaluation. Designed to make evaluation more influential in a rapidly changing and complex world, these dialogues bring together a diverse range of voices—from experts to young evaluators—to share knowledge and highlight ways to future-proof the field of evaluation. Each monthly dialogue is aligned with an international action day, ensuring the conversations are timely and relevant to a global discourse. 

The next dialogue, “How can evaluation accelerate rights, justice, action, for all women and girls?” will take place on 10 March 2026. Register

This article was written with AI support with human authors in the lead.