MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

It is an honor to serve as the Executive Director of the Caribbean Evaluators International (CEI).
Being an active member of CEI is to be part of a team of professionals whose passion and
dedication show their commitment in charting the course of what I envisage will be a dynamic
organization.
As we take on our individual roles or tasks of building CEI, we recognize that we are
interdependent upon each other for the success of this venture and so the importance of team
work and the provision of support for each member of the team cannot be over emphasized. I
personally think the process will be challenging, as starting a new venture is never easy.
However, we should keep in the forefront of our minds the CEIs core value: Many viewpoints
harmonized as one vision
Although there will be challenges ahead, I am prepared to contribute to the achievement of
positive results, as we continue the journey in support of the CEI s quest to fulfil its mission,
which is, to accelerate the achievement of the Caribbean development results , by increasing
individual and national evaluation capacity, ensuring access to relevant local research, as well
as by growing wide demand and appropriate use of evaluation in the Region.
To our partners and readers in the 26 English-Speaking countries of the Caribbean, as well as
the Dominican Republic and Haiti, the we ask that you lend your voices in the call for the
creation of Voluntary Organizations of Professional Evaluators (VOPEs) and evaluation
networks. VOPEs serve as efficient and effective networks through which shared learning,
peer-to-peer support, innovation and increased use of knowledge takes place.
The International Evaluation Partnership Initiative (EvalPartners), has declared 2015 as the
International Year of Evaluation. The CEI will be joining other groups around the world in
hosting events to advocate and promote evaluation and evidence based policy making at all
levels, by hosting the CEI Conference in November 2015 on Jamaicas North Coast. We ask that
you mark your calendar and celebrate with us this special occasion.
We have an incredible exciting future ahead and I have no doubt that we will achieve our goals
and fulfil our vision. I extend an invitation to all follow the CEIs progress on our Facebooks
page , as well as on Twitter.

Una McPherson
Executive Director,
Caribbean Evaluators International