4th INTERNATIONAL EVALUATION CONGRESS

10/23/2025 - 12:00 - 10/25/2025 - 12:00

“25 Years of the Polish Evaluation Society: Transformational potential of evaluation – values, goals, methods”

October 23-25, 2025

The contemporary world is a reality of many accelerating and interconnected transformations. This is due to the constant movement of material resources, people, technology, and information. They lead to multiple diffusions, often revolutionary changes, the intensification of multiculturalism and disintegration but also the reintegration of institutional structures, cultures, and communities.

Some of these transformations are spontaneous and exuberant, but some are planned, managed, and intentional. They are the effect of programmed actions, although due to their diversity and often global scale, it is difficult to capture the complexity and multiplicity of connections that characterize them. Their global and macrostructural character is both the effect and the cause of transformations at local levels, the connection of which we see only after applying the analysis of large data sets.

However, this does not mean that these phenomena cannot be influenced; on the contrary, there is an increasing talk of the need for a global policy to change the shape and results of contemporary transformations. This applies not only to climate but also to industrial and agricultural policy, not forgetting educational activities or the protection of cultural heritage, which is understood as the achievements not so much of particular communities but of the broader human race.

To be an active element of this type of impact, following the vocation and specific function of evaluation, we must adapt both the form and strategy of evaluation thinking to these tasks, which, by evaluating various transformational activities and programs, itself seeks the transformation potential present in it. It materializes in the strategy and intention of the evaluation process, defining the values and goals that motivate it through the ways of engaging its participants, and finally, the research methods and techniques.

This year’s Congress is organised by the Polish Evaluation Society in cooperation with the Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy. This is the fourth and very special edition. This year we will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Society, and the Congress wants to be a contribution to the debate on the necessary way of selecting relevant criteria, which, like the general objectives of evaluation strategies, are changing civilisationally and represent an important type of challenge for contemporary evaluation. An important set of criteria is the entire range of values, standards, and needs in the field of sustainable development, i.e., criteria that take into account human-human relations, human-nature-culture, and human-technology-machine relations. There is a need for revitalization of the criteria promoted by democratic and dialogical evaluation, emphasized in the 80., in the form of criteria that take into account the underrepresentation of the vision and values of marginalized, omitted, culturally excluded, or even socially diverse groups, emphasizing the need for inclusive evaluation goals.

Once again, there is a need to look at evaluation as a transformation, especially developmental evaluation, thus combining very different, modern and digitally supported “large-scale” methodologies with “socially sensitive”, “culturally responsive” evaluation, which does not lose its anthropological dimension and can be adequate in a specific context and social heritage, supporting rather than reducing its subjectivity.

Prof. Leszek Korporowicz, Honorary President of the Polish Evaluation Society

Congress Programme:

The first day is on Ocober 23, 2025 and is an online event (on the zoom platform): from 9 am to 4 pm

8.45 – 9.00 JOINING THE PARTICIPANTS (ZOOM PLATFORM)

9.00 – 9.50 WELCOME AND OPENING OF THE CONGRESS (plenary session) English / Polish interpretation

9.00 – 9.05 Opening speech – Monika Bartosiewicz–Niziołek, the President of the Board of the Polish Evaluation Society
9.05 – 9.10 EvalTorch passing ceremony – Dr Rajib Nandi, Board Member of IOCE – co-leader of Eval4Action Campaign and Ana Erika Lareza – EvalYouth Global Chair
9.10 – 9.20 „Transformative potential of evaluation” (opening lecture) – Prof. Leszek Korporowicz, the Honorary President of the Board of the Polish Evaluation Society / Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University
9.20 – 9.50 Keynote Lecture – “Resilience as an Evaluation Criterion for Sustainable Transformation” – Guest of Honour: Michael Q. Patton, Minnesota University, ex-president of the American Evaluation Association, Blue Marble Evaluation / Utilization-Focused Evaluation / International Evaluation Academy

dr Michael Q. Patton

After receiving his doctorate in sociology from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, he spent 18 years on the faculty of the University of Minnesota (1973-1991), including five years as Director of the Minnesota Center for Social Research and ten years with the Minnesota Extension Service. He has authored numerous books on evaluation, including Blue Marble Evaluation (2019), Principles-Focused Evaluation (2018), Facilitating Evaluation (2018), Developmental Evaluation (2010) and Utilization-Focused Evaluation (2008).

He has also edited or contributed articles to numerous books and journals, including several volumes of New Directions in Program Evaluation, on subjects as diverse as culture and evaluation, how and why language matters, HIV/AIDS research and evaluation systems, extension methods, feminist evaluation, teaching using the case method, evaluating strategy and utilization of evaluation.

9.50 – 10.35 PANEL DISCUSSION WITH INTERNATIONAL GUESTS – Topic of discussion: “The Transformational Potential of Evaluation: Driving Meaningful Change” – English / Polish interpretation

Topic of discussion: “The Transformational Potential of Evaluation: Driving Meaningful Change” – English / Polish interpretation

The Transformational Potential of Evaluation: Driving Meaningful Change

Evaluation is often seen as a process of assessment and compliance, while its true power lies in its ability to drive transformational change. This proposal explores how evaluation can go beyond measurement to become a tool for learning, adaptation, and strategic decision-making. By integrating participatory and systems approaches, evaluation fosters continuous improvement and innovation within organizations and communities.

The session will highlight real-world examples where evaluation has led to significant shifts in policy, practice, and social impact. Key themes will include systems thinking, equity-centered evaluation and the role of evaluation in fostering organizational resilience. Participants will gain insights into designing evaluations that not only assess impact but also catalyze change. The discussion will emphasize how evaluators can act as change agents, facilitating reflection and action. This session is particularly relevant for professionals in nonprofits, government, education, and philanthropy seeking to harness evaluation for transformative purposes. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for embedding evaluation into their change processes. By reimagining evaluation as a dynamic force, it will unlock its full potential to shape a more effective and just society.

The session will also explore transformational dimensions of evaluation, ensuring that it is used responsibly and inclusively. Emphasis will be placed on co-creation with stakeholders, making evaluation a collaborative and empowering process. Interactive discussions and case studies will provide attendees with tangible examples of evaluation-driven transformation. Participants will have the opportunity to reflect on their own evaluation practices and identify areas for growth. Ultimately, this session aims to inspire evaluators and decision-makers to leverage evaluation as a powerful catalyst for sustainable and meaningful change.

Moderation: Anna Augustyn, Polish Evaluation Society / International Evaluation Academy

Panelists:

Dr Ian Goldman – President of the International Evaluation Academy / University of Witwaterstrand / University of Cape Town
Dr Rajib Nandi –Chairperson of the Community of Evaluators South Asia, and co-founder of the Evaluation Community of India
Ana Erika Lareza – Chair of the EvalYouth Global Network, co-founder of EvalYouth Asia and the Asia Pacific Communications Hub

Moderation: Anna Augustyn – Polish Evaluation Society / International Academy of Evaluation (IEAc)

Prof. Ian Goldman – President of the International Evaluation Academy / University of Witwaterstrand / University of Cape Town
Dr Rajib Nandi –Chairperson of the Community of Evaluators South Asia, and co-founder of the Evaluation Community of India
Ana Erika Lareza – Chair of the EvalYouth Global Network, co-founder of EvalYouth Asia and the Asia Pacific Communications Hub

10.35 – 10.45 BREAK

10.45 – 12.15 PANEL DISCUSSIONS

PANEL 2: Title of the panel: Evaluation in education, moderation: Prof. Sylwia Jaskuła, Jagiellonian University

PANEL 3: Title of the panel: Opportunities and risks of using Artificial Inteligence (AI) in evaluation, moderation: Jacek Pokorski, Polish Evaluation Society – panel translated into English

Opportunities and risks of using Artificial Inteligence (AI) in evaluation

Will AI transform evaluation in the same way the Internet transformed communication? Or, perhaps more like the first journey into space, will it open an entirely new orbit of thinking about knowledge, evidence, and decision-making?

Generative artificial intelligence is rapidly entering the field of research and evaluation, bringing with it the promise of efficiency — but also raising profound questions about the very essence of our practice and professional identity. Does AI merely accelerate analysis, or does it redefine what we consider to be “evidence,” “conclusion,” and “value judgment”? Does it shift the role of the evaluator — from expert and dialogue partner to editor (or curator) of pre-generated narratives? How does it affect relationships among evaluation participants — does it enhance reflective dialogue, or displace it? How can we assess the quality of knowledge produced with AI, when its mechanisms of production are often opaque, and its outputs may conceal errors, exclusions, and the illusion of objectivity?

In a world where knowledge can be synthesized instantaneously by language models, questions of meaning, context, and ethical legitimacy become paramount. Yet AI is not only a source of risk — it also represents an opportunity for a deeper, more inclusive understanding of knowledge, for a higher level of dialogue among stakeholders, and for strengthened participation.

This panel invites a shared reflection on what in evaluation should remain unchanged — and what requires rethinking. How can we safeguard evaluation from cognitive distortions while harnessing the immense potential of this technology? Are our existing standards sufficient, or does AI compel us to redefine them?

This session is an invitation to reflection and conversation — not about whether AI will change evaluation, but about how we, as a professional community, will decide in which direction that change will go. Will we use this breakthrough to reinforce the social and cognitive value of our work? Or will we allow AI to set the new standards… for us?

Moderation: Jacek Pokorski, Polish Evaluation Society

Panelists:

Agnieszka Śnieżek – Evalu / Polish Evaluation Society
Marlena Stępień – Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy
Magdalena Urbańska – MU Research / University of Zielona Góra

PANEL 4: Title of the panel: Armed conflict in Ukraine and evaluation and related processes in Polish NGOs, moderation: Aleksandra Gutowska, Polish Evaluation Society

12.15 – 12.30 BREAK

12.30 – 14.00 PANELE DISCUSSIONS

PANEL 5: Title of the panel: Good practices in evaluation of the Key Horizontal Principles, moderation: Monika Bartosiewicz – Niziołek, Polish Evaluation Society – panel in English

Good practices in evaluation of the Key Horizontal Principles

The Network of Evaluation Societies in Europe (NESE) conducted a comparative study with contribution of 14 European Voluntary Organizations for Professional Evaluation (VOPEs) that provided a practical approach for streamlining the evaluation of the 10 Key Horizontal Principles (KHP): Equity, Gender equality, Social Justice, Partnership, Good governance, Innovation, Inclusivity, Democracy, Human rights, and Sustainable development. This study aimed to develop a “Common Reference Framework” (CRF), a tool that supports VOPEs in advocating for the implementation of KHPs’ evaluation. This project was funded by the International Organization for Cooperation in Evaluation (IOCE) and EvalPartners (formed by the IOCE and the UN).

Although the need for integrating KHPs into the evaluation of all interventions and policies is widely acknowledged, in the case of the vast majority of the countries surveyed, there is a lack of clear perception of KHPs and limited visibility of their promotion in evaluation practices. Fragmentation was also identified in VOPEs’ activities, possibly due to the lack of documents and/or guidelines developed to support advocacy for the broader use of evaluation evidence in policy-making processes or to assist national evaluators in addressing various contemporary challenges. Integration of KHPs in evaluation standards and the professionalization framework was found to be extremely limited. More significant progress has been made on principles related to methodological guidance documents, including gender, inclusivity, partnership, and sustainable development. Accordingly, the need for streamlining the KHPs’ evaluation, increasing their awareness, and growing visibility activities is immense, as the KHP and adoption of the CRF can contribute to more transformational and influential evaluation.

During the session, the main results of the study and its update will be presented along with the CRF and the good practices shared by the selected countries/VOPEs.

Moderation: Monika Bartosiewicz-Niziołek, Polish Evaluation Society

Panelists:

Nicola Orlando – ex Chair of the Advisory Board of the Network of the Evaluation Societies in Europe, Italian Evaluation Association,
Dr Aida El Khory de Paula – Iberian Association of Professional Evaluation (APROEVAL),
Dr Mihajlo Dukic – ex co-chair of the AB NESE, Western Balkan Evaluation Network (WBEN),
Dr Tina Orfanidou – President of the Hellenic Evaluation Society,
Dr Angela Wroblewski – Austria and Germany Society for Evaluation (DeGEval), and a senior researcher at the Institute for Advanced Studies (IHS) in Vienna.
Prof. Elizabetta Venezia – University of Bari Aldo Moro

PANEL 6: Title of the panel: PES Guiding Principles in dissemination practice, moderation: Anna Kierzkowska – Tokarska, Polish Evaluation Society

PANEL 7: Title of the panel: Failure as capital: How does productive failure shape public policies in complex systems? moderation: Prof. Magdalena Jelonek, Cracow University of Economics / Centre for Evaluation and Analysis of Public Policies at the Jagiellonian University

14.00 – 14.15 BREAK

14.15 – 15.45 PANEL DISCUSSIONS

PANEL 8: Title of the panel: Inclusive and participatory approaches to evaluation in the context of war in Ukraine: challenges and dilemmas, moderation: dr Olha Krasovska, Ukrainian Evaluation Association – panel in English

Inclusive and participatory approaches to evaluation in the context of war in Ukraine: challenges and dilemmas

The challenges surrounding the monitoring and evaluation of humanitarian assisatnce arise from both the context of the emergency at hand and substantive and methodological issues that impact standard evaluation practices. However, the political and institutional dynamics within the humanitarian sector exacerbate these difficulties significantly, leading to a range of additional complications.

The context of humanitarian crises is typically not viewed as conducive to evaluation. The primary focus on saving lives and alleviating suffering is considered by many aid workers to take precedence over secondary activities, such as monitoring and evaluation. Practical challenges also arise from the chaotic conditions in the field, where people are displaced. Furthermore, these emergencies often involve security and protection issues that must be addressed.

The fundamental notion that humanitarian assistance should be monitored and evaluated is accepted. Evaluation processes can be seen as arenas where various interests are contested. In this perspective, the multiple actors involved in humanitarian programs—both directly and indirectly—have their own interests that they seek to fulfill. A second perspective depicts evaluation as encounters at the intersections of knowledge and power. From this viewpoint, the focus shifts to the differing interpretations and meanings that actors attribute to themselves, each other, the emergency situation, and the humanitarian program. This approach is often linked to discourse analysis, which seeks to uncover the overt and underlying assumptions and values inherent in humanitarian policy and practice. Finally, evaluation can be viewed as a platform for negotiating different interpretations and interests. This perspective is closely associated with participatory and stakeholder approaches. A participatory evaluation offers all relevant stakeholders the opportunity to define the objectives, processes, outcomes, and impacts of a program.

Moderation: dr Olha Krasovska, Ukrainian Evaluation Association

Panelists:

Dmytro Kondratenko – Member of the Board, Ukrainian Evaluation Association
Liubov Margolina – Director of Programme Development and Monitoring and Evaluation, East Europe Foundation
Michał Sobol – Office of the Government Plenipotentiary for Polish-Ukrainian Development Cooperation, Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy
Magdalena Fac-Shirtlandze – Manager of the Monitoring and Evaluation Department, Caritas Poland

PANEL 9: Title of the panel: Evaluation in local government – specifics, prospects, potential, moderation: dr Tomasz Kupiec, Warsaw University

PANEL 10: Title of the panel: Stagnation, correction or leap forward? Opportunities to strengthen the position of evaluation in the public policy cycle, moderation: Piotr Strzęboszewski, Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy

15.45 – 15.55 – Prof. Peter Jonkers, Tiblurg University

Prof. Peter Jonkers

He studied philosophy in Leuven, Belgium (PhD in 1982). He has served as a guest professor at several universities abroad (Kaunas, Lviv, Fribourg, Bangalore) and has published books and articles on Hegel and his contemporaries, religion in the public space, philosophy of culture, and wisdom.

He has been a member/chair of several panels for the evaluation of research in the humanities and study programs in philosophy, religious studies, and theology. He is editor in chief of TATTVA, Journal of Philosophy (Bangalore, India). He is a vice-president of FISP (the International Federation of Philosophical Societies).

15.55 – 16.00 ZAMKNIĘCIE KONGRESU

The second day is on October 24, 2025, and is an on-site event (in the Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy – ul. Wspólna 2/4 in Warsaw): from 10 am to 4.30 pm

10.15 – 10.45 WELCOME AND OPENING OF THE CONGRESS (plenary session)

10.15 – 10.25 Opening speach – Renata Calak, Director of the Department of Strategy, Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy
10.25 – 10.45 Opeining speach – Prof. Leszek Korporowicz, the Honorary President of the Board of the Polish Evaluation Society / Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University, Monika Bartosiewicz-Niziołek, the President of the Board of the Polish Evaluation Society

10.45 – 11.30 PRELECTION AND OPEN DISCUSSION

Understanding and utilising failure, or how mistakes in public policy can promote innovation and institutional development, conducted by: Prof. Magdalena Jelonek, Cracow University of Economics / Centre for Evaluation and Analysis of Public Policies at the Jagiellonian University

11.30 – 12.00 BREAK

12.00 – 15.00 WORKSHOPS AND PANEL DISCUSSIONS

WORKSHOP 1: Professional burnout of evaluators: essence, genesis, protection, conducted by: dr Katarzyna Orlak „Healty Work” Association

WORKSHOP 2: Guiding Principles of the Polish Evaluation Society and their practical usefullness for evaluation units conducted by: Michał Korczyński, Polish Evaluation Society / Re-Source

WORKSHOP 3: Risks in evaluation research from the perspective of commissioners and contractors, conducted by: dr Magdalena Urbańska, MU Research / University in Zielona Góra

WORKSHOP/PANEL 4: Application of synthetic measures to describe complex phenomena in evaluation, conducted by: Prof. Ewa Kusideł, University of Łódź

15.00 – 16.00 LUNCH

The third day is on October 25, 2025, and is an on-site event formuła stacjonarna (Okopowa Centre, Caritas Poland): from 10am to 4pm

Workshops on the use of artificial intelligence in evaluation research, Conducted by: Prof. Igor Lyubashenko.

The aim of the workshop is to familiarise evaluation researchers with the potential of GenAI, inspire them to further explore the tools and prepare them substantively for participation in more advanced specialist workshops.

The workshop format is introductory in nature, with an emphasis on demonstrations and practical examples using Gemini as the main demonstration tool.