Navigating the Pacific evaluation landscape: Strengthening Pacific Monitoring Evaluation and Learning for the Pacific by the Pacific.

Abstract Information: Strengthening Pacific Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (PacMEL) project is a capacity building initiative to strengthen MEL in the Pacific through strengthens based approach and appreciation of cultural relevance. Through the Rebbilib (navigational pathways in MEL, MEL stakeholders as master navigators, navigate their own MEL journey through partnership and meaningful collaboration. The project utilises Pacific methodologies and approaches to shape and bring stakeholders on board the journey by using the following. The Kakala Research framework, teu, project conceptualisation and blended approaches; to toli, data collection using talanoa (and nofo); through tui, the analysis and sense-making activities; to luva, an overview of the findings. As an object for gathering, the Melanesian fish trap was adapted and used as the stakeholder engagement and management strategy. The Talanoa in the context of the kakala metaphor offers “a cultural synthesis of the information, stories, emotions and theorising…will produce relevant knowledge and possibilities for addressing Pacific issues”. According to Marshallese culture, master navigators are people for whom “the knowledge of the stars, weather, and sea conditions and the capacity for making and interpreting sea charts is reserved”. These charts are known to identify waves, swells and islands, making it crucial for apprentices to be knowledgeable about sea conditions, e.g. swells, choppy seas, and ‘sea marks’ of the atolls. This has led to the development of the regional MEL Rebbilib. The findings from the process have led to the identification and development of a Pacific MEL system framework. The Pacific MEL framework categorises MEL system under the following. Domain 1. People partnerships and planning. Domain 2. Collecting, verifying and analysing data Domain 3. Using data for decision -making. The approach of mainstreaming cultural and indigenous ways into the concept has brought the values and ethics principles into the conversations and the Pacific MEL acts as a platform for MEL practitioners to act as knowledge brokers and agents of change to bring transformational change for MEL in the region.