There is very little joy to be had right now - this is the moment learning is lost

We are all residing in, or perhaps between, countries which are either oppressing other countries, or their own people - or in ones which are being oppressed by others. One of the countries realife is based in, the UK, is complicit in ongoing genocide, and now a further illegal war on top of its leading and contribution to many past and present atrocities.

In how we show up for work in justice focused organisations, the joy feels particularly far away.

The realife team has watched the stress and despair proliferating across the wonderful people we work with, in organisations and movements. Often beyond breaking point.

In this moment, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) faces a fork in the road. With three potential paths.

Path one: it becomes the most annoying thing you have to do, as it isn't the instant work of saving lives, protecting our world or defending rights. So when we do it, it turns into administration, and being an administrator of social and environmental breakdown is no-one's first choice of job. It's like dealing with legal and financial affairs when a loved one dies (the grief admin), when all we should be doing is the actual grieving.

Path two: you cut it. Many organisations are already making this call. Stripping back learning, so the core work of delivery and income can survive these times. Understandable. Painful. Ultimately destructive for all.

Path three (our suggestion to all): use MEL as the space where you can still have joy. Where you can dream. Connect with others. Be present with what is real, and look for the spark. Where you can play with possibilities and stories that help understand and shape the delivery, the fundraising, and maybe even a future for us all.

Yes, we should integrate evaluation into everyday processes wherever possible. But also, design and show up to bespoke spaces we can play together. These spaces of learning sanctuary should still acknowledge the world’s turbulence - this is not about detachment - but we cannot just witness this turbulence with heads down in survival mode, as it will carry us too fast. Pause. Breath. Connect with others. Explore.

Image: a rich picture taken from a recent learning process exploring the range of complex justice concerns a person was considering within their work practice.