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This world humanitarian day , let’s commit to addressing the urgent needs of PLWNCDs in crisis settings . Read our Blog @ https://lnkd.in/gNP9_88g

Don't miss this thought-provoking interview! Degan Ali ED of Adeso on the Ford Foundation's "#OnWhatMatters" series outlines ways we can #shiftthepower and reinvent the current aid and development system so that it is more just and fair. Some highlights: Why the Current Model Fails Designed for Exploitation: The current system, built by former colonizers, traps many Global South countries in poverty through debt burdens and unfair trade. Treating Symptoms, Not Causes: Traditional aid often addresses immediate needs without tackling the root causes of poverty, creating a cycle of dependence. Decolonization: A Path Forward Shifting Power Dynamics: Degan  envisions a future where Global South countries have equal footing, creating their own development strategies and trading fairly. Local Leadership is Key: Decolonization isn't just about money. It's about local communities taking a leading role in development initiatives that address their specific needs. “Imagine a situation where a country like Ghana becomes a donor to a crisis in Louisiana or a crisis in France. ….That’s the kind of world we should be seeing, where there’s mutual solidarity, mutual aid that goes from the south to the north, from the north to the south, the south to the south … not a situation where it’s all one-sided: north to the south.” Degan Ali, #OnWhatMatters, May 2024    Please give it a watch, and let us know what you think!  #GlobalDevelopment #DecolonizeAid #CharterforChange #PledgeforChange2030 #RINGOProject Center for Disaster Philanthropy Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Vitol Foundation Segal Family Foundation Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Oak Foundation Catalyst 2030 Ford Foundation West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) CivSource Africa African Philanthropy Forum East Africa Philanthropy Network-EAPN Kenya Community Development Foundation

This interview offered more than just insights; it provided a space for honest reflection, self-criticism, and the potential for positive change. It felt like an invitation to a collaborative journey – one where we collectively address this challenges. Degan Ali message resonates deeply: "We have to work hard at taking responsibility for our failings, our shortcomings..." Africa's development landscape undeniably bears the scars of a tumultuous past and ongoing external pressures. The colonial era, with its ruthless exploitation and extractive policies, laid the groundwork for the inequalities that plague the continent today. However, there's hope. Initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) represent a bold step towards a brighter future. This ambitious agreement aims to create a single, liberalized market by eliminating tariffs, streamlining trade procedures, and harmonizing regulations. By reducing trade barriers, the AfCFTA has the potential to increase intra-African trade by a staggering 52% by 2035. This path forward demands a collaborative approach that leverages the strengths of all sectors of society. We must embrace partnerships, foster innovation, and share responsibility. West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) CivSource Africa African Philanthropy Forum East Africa Philanthropy Network Kenya Community Development Foundation

This conversation offers such a powerful and insightful analysis of the current humanitarian and development aid sector. Decolonizing aid is a complex issue, but far from impossible, as Degan Ali touches upon some very interesting points regarding why root causes of problems are often not addressed due to structural issues within the sector. Using concrete examples, she highlights how major international NGOs (INGOs) are currently part of a broken system characterized by low community engagement and involvement, as well as disempowering practices and issues of power imbalances. There is so much to unpack and discuss when it comes to decolonizing aid, and this video summarizes these challenges so well.

Meet April Somboun, an education, research, and innovation officer on the IRC's Airbel Impact Lab team. She has been with the IRC for nearly two years and has a profound personal resonance and commitment to the IRC's mission, grounded in her Laotian immigrant roots. "When some people think of the IRC, they think of humanitarian aid, like water, food, cash assistance, etc. But what people may not know is that we're also doing other projects behind the scenes to create solutions for those we serve in crises affected areas.” Delve deeper into her story here: https://lnkd.in/eXNM8pts #LifeAtIRC

Today, August 19th, we mark World Humanitarian Day, honoring the selfless dedication and courage of humanitarians worldwide. Wem’afrika is proud to work alongside individuals and communities affected by crises, providing aid and support to those who need it most. As we celebrate #WorldHumanitarianDay, we recommit to our mission of alleviating suffering, promoting dignity, and fostering a more compassionate world. Fiona Luma Tankoh Mekwi Richard Taku #HumanitarianWork #CompassionInAction #MakeADifference"

Listen to local stakeholders on the ground. Empower people in their communities. Amplify the voice of those first affected by the situation or problem we're trying to solve. One of the convictions to which I firmly commit in my work at bluenove, and which resonates with the great work done by the IARAN network (whose work I highly recommend you read), is that the future cannot be built in isolation, far from the concerns of the people affected by decisions. To achieve this, I believe we need to :  => Give these people the resources (educational, financial) to reflect and make an informed decision about their future. => Allow them to express themselves, and effectively take their views into account: by adopting a listening posture, by gathering their opinions without imposing one's own. => Enable them to act and take control of their destiny: by giving them the space to take on responsibilities and build their network, by acting as a facilitator and not as a "savior". I don't believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Every place is different, every organization is different, and therefore every problem needs to be solved by a unique approach co-constructed with the people affected, with external actors only enabling them to create their own mechanisms to continue responding directly to similar problems afterwards. In consulting, in the humanitarian sector, and everywhere else, it's time for a change in the way we think. Any thoughts? (version française en commentaire)

On World Humanitarian Day, we honor the courage, dedication, and compassion of those who selflessly serve others in times of crisis. Let's take a moment to appreciate the heroes who bring hope to the most vulnerable and inspire us all to do our part in making the world a better place. #worldhumanitarianday #GroupLivingGoals #DurableDesign #addictionsrecovery #behavioralhealthcare #mindfuldesignsolutions #normativeenvironments #furnitureconcepts #projectplanning

A moment of crisis can change the trajectory of people’s lives and have ripple effects that last years. Here is our list of the most pressing humanitarian crises to watch in 2024. Swipe through >>> to learn more.

On World Humanitarian Day find out what you can do to stand up for humanity. More at