2WUMEL COURSE
Two Worlds Understanding, Measurement, Evaluation & Learning
in partnership with
Introduction
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have been the custodians of our land, water and sky country for over 65,000 years, sustaining Cultural, social, economic and environmental landscapes and societal participation.
Our rich history, wisdom, and resilience have shaped Australia in countless ways, providing knowledge and tradition that continues to enrich our nation.
Today, we are leading numerous initiatives across all sectors, driving positive change within our communities and beyond. An increase in community-led projects ensures that communities’ unique needs and aspirations are being prioritised and progressed by the right people—in the right way—and at the right time.
With an increase in Indigenous-led investment in projects and programs on-ground, it remains vital that culturally informed training and learning opportunities are made accessible to build the field and confidence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander evaluators.
But for First Nations Peoples, the evaluation space continues to be intimidating and exclusive.
Despite calls for change, paternalism is still very strong. Due to past and current experiences, a fear of evaluation remains among Mob. The evaluation space can feel unsafe for First Nations Peoples, and this is due to a perceived lack of valuing and showcasing First Nations evaluation approaches. There is a need for power sharing and checking privilege in evaluation.
We believe that First Nations communities, organisations and individuals have the right to articulate, drive and measure our own success; and have been experts in our practice since time immemorial. We believe in a narrative that has Indigenous Data Sovereignty and Indigenous Data Governance as a part of the norm within the evaluation sector.
At Kowa Collaboration - we are making a powerful start to improve and transform the system by sharing resources and knowledge about Indigenous evaluation practice and methodologies - through our new course offering: Two Worlds Understanding, Measurement, Evaluation and Learning (UMEL).
What is 2WUMEL?
Two Worlds Understanding, Measurement Evaluation and Learning (2WUMEL) is an innovative learning and development opportunity co-created by Dr Skye Trudgett, CEO and Founder of Kowa, and Dr Jess Dart, Chief Evaluator and Founder of Clear Horizon.
A unique and practical course Two Worlds UMEL aims to increase the field and confidence of Blak evaluators by offering Culturally informed training to amplify First Nations practice in Understanding, Measurement, Evaluation, and Learning.
Non-First Nations evaluation practitioners also have a critical role to play, and so the course offering holds limited spaces within each cohort to invite non-First Nations Allies and Accomplices practising in the evaluation sector, to participate in this training.
Two Worlds UMEL fosters a learning environment where First Nations people and allies can engage and meaningfully explore UMEL practices led by the community. By centring First Nations’ ways of knowing, doing, and being, we can better meet Community needs.
This course shifts system conditions and elements for Community-led UMEL, introduces new methodologies and challenges current understandings through highly relational and participatory methods. It explores and challenges three lenses: individual, program, and systems, offering a wealth of new knowledge.
The Kowa x Clear Horizon UMEL collaboration strives for systems change. It builds on the traditional Understanding, Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (UMEL) practices that First Nations people have led since time immemorial and shares them cross-culturally as a tool for dismantling and redefining UMEL.
Centring Wisdom—We define wisdom as combining old and new knowledge to create a robust evidence base. We’re building confidence in the Community-led UMEL.
2025 Course Dates
March 2025 - Sunday 16th - Saturday 22nd
August 2025 - Sunday 17th - Saturday 23rd
November 2025 - Sunday 16th - Saturday 22nd
FAQs
Who is the 2WUMEL course for?
This course is primarily for Blak evaluators, however, each course offers limited spaces to non-First Nations evaluation practitioners.
How many people can participate in each course cohort?
Our total participant numbers for each course offering are limited to 15 people so that we can ensure a high-quality learning experience for all.
How long does the course go for?
This course requires attendance to an intensive, face-to-face block of 5 consecutive days (Monday to Friday).
Where is the course location?
The venue for 2WUMEL is located at Kowa Head Office, 100 Brighton Avenue, Toronto, Lake Macquarie, NSW, on Awabakal Country (see our Map).
Is this course disability friendly?
Yes! We can support and accommodate all disabilities.
Do you offer the course online as well?
No, this course is only offered face-to-face.
What’s Included
Relational space to connect and challenge thinking
Welcome pack, including meals allowance and catered meals during course times.
Five Modules that cover the following:
Mainstream Measurement, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) versus Two Worlds Understanding, Measurement, Evaluation and Learning (Two Worlds UMEL)
A deep dive into the Wisdom Tapestry of sense-making and taking action, and reflecting on Principles and Protocols that guide this work
Exploring our journeys in Two Worlds UMEL – taking a closer look at Understanding
Exploring our journeys in Two Worlds UMEL – taking a closer look at Measurement, including some introductions to different methods
Exploring our journeys in Two Worlds UMEL – learning, sharing and asking the big questions; understanding evaluation and looking at some useful tools.
Case studies, visual guides, toolkit, and workbook
Gillibanga Network or Community Partner membership
T-shirt
Certificate in Two Worlds UMEL
Course Outcomes
By the end of the course, you will be able to:
Understand what Two Worlds Understanding, Measurement, Evaluation and Learning means from a First Nations’ perspective, practice and methods.
Understand the Principles and Protocols that govern Two Worlds UMEL and consider their application in your own work and environments.
Understand the Two Worlds Wisdom Tapestry - as a guide for the collection, sharing, and integration of diverse forms of evidence and knowledge in the context of Two Worlds UMEL.
Access and explore First Nations designed impact and change tools such as Impact Yarns, Theory of Change (our way) and Listening, Harvesting and Co-Creating to help build your understanding and evidence base.
Access and explore the Two Worlds UMEL Minimum Standards Guide to help build your understanding of Indigenous Data Sovereignty and Indigenous Data Governance Principles and how this applies to your work.
Apply your learnings of course material to guide your development and understanding of culturally respectful and effective Measurement, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Plans.
Your Facilitators
Dr Skye Trudgett, PhD
Founder + CEO, Kowa Collaboration
Skye Trudget is a strong and outspoken Gamilaroi woman and the proud mother of two boys. In 2022, she was awarded her PhD from the University of Sydney for her thesis on the co-design and implementation of monitoring, evaluation, and learning into NGO-delivered services for high-risk young people. Skye is the creator of the OCCAAARS framework, an accessible and flexible high-level set of principles for Indigenous Data Sovereignty that can be adapted and implemented by First Nations communities and organisations. Through her research, participation in Maiam nayri Wingara Indigenous Data Sovereignty collective, and her leadership of Kowa, she has become a champion of Indigenous Data Governance and Sovereignty and is an active contributor to the national dialogue on Indigenous data rights and responsibilities.
Dr Jess Dart
Founder + Chief Evaluator, Clear Horizon
Dr Jess Dart is the founder of Clear Horizon – a for-purpose specialist evaluation firm. Jess has over 25 years of experience evaluating and designing social change initiatives in Australia and the Asia Pacific. She is passionate about developing real-world measurement, evaluation, and learning systems. In particular, she works with place-based and systems change initiatives.
Receiving the award for Outstanding Contribution to Evaluation in 2018, Jess became a Fellow of the Australian Evaluation Society in 2021. Jess is perhaps most well-known as the co-author of the Most Significant Change (MSC) guide, a story-based approach for collecting and participatory analysis of impact stories. The guide has been translated into 14 different languages.
Course Location
The venue for Two Worlds UMEL is located at Kowa Head Office, 100 Brighton Avenue, Toronto, Lake Macquarie, NSW, on Awabakal Country.
The nearest airport is Newcastle International Airport, which is a 45-minute drive to Toronto. Sydney Airport is about 2 hours south of the course location and can be accessed by bus, train, and car.
Gilibanga First Nations Sponsorship
Sponsorship support for a limited number of First Nations participants across the 2025 course dates are now on offer from the Gilibanga Network.
A limited number of full scholarships are available to reduce barriers to participation. These may be particularly useful for small grass-roots Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Controlled Organisations or individuals not affiliated with an organisation.
A limited number of partial subsidies (up to 50%) are also available for First Nations participants, which will be considered on a case-by-case basis and should demonstrate a co-investment from the participant’s workplace or community organisation.
Course Investment
There are two packages available for this unique five-day course. Travel is not included in these packages.
PACKAGE 1
$6000.00
Plus GST
Includes the 5 day course only
(Does not include accommodation. Suits groups participating together)
PACKAGE 2
$8000.00
Plus GST
Includes the 5 day course plus 6 nights accommodation
What are you waiting for?
Bring your work to Two Worlds UMEL.
Gain real-time access to evaluation experts and learn with your
colleagues and others, in a welcoming, fun and culturally-safe environment. Apply your learnings through practical hands-on exercises, using tools and methodologies that honour and embed Indigenous world views. Gain invaluable insights in understanding, measurement, evaluation, and learning in your work and be able to confidently articulate your impact and change journey.