Dream building in Monitoring and Evaluation

[Rituu B. Nanda]

On 21st Sep, I shared about Constellation's SALT approach and community life competence process with 27 students of Monitoring and Evaluation course organised by Government of India in Narela near Delhi. The students are professionals from different countries of the world.

There was a moment when when I asked them of their dream for Monitoring and Evaluation in year 2020. In groups they discussed on this and the discussion was very rich. It was even richer, vibrant when each group presented in the plenary. Everyone came from a different country where Monitoring and Evaluation system but at the end of the day everyone 's dream was same. We want an system in the policy of the country so that development systems are monitored and evaluated effectively.

What was my takeaway from this session? It is very important that in any project, work, initiative or Monitoring and Evaluation those affected should decide on what is best for them because they know their situation the best. They should drive the process. By compiling a common dream ensuring that each participant's perspective and dream is important brings everyone together and fosters ownership. We spent a lot of time in discussion but it was worth to share and learn from each other and incorporate it in the dream. And if the group owns the dream they are more like to monitor and evaluate and execute the action plans. As the old African proverb goes- If You Want To Go Fast, Go Alone. If You Want To Go Far, Go Together

[Rituu B. Nanda]

Response from Frank who attended the session last year on SALT and M&E

Frank Adu Asare Good job as always Rituu. What is profound for me among many in the exercise is the African proverb which says "if you want to go fast,go alone,but if you want to go far, go together". My lesson is that if there is communal ownership of what ever project you embark on it last long (go far )and its sustainable. hahaha i could see my seat there ooo