PGLS ’s Post

Trade over aid? Dr. Stefan Friedrich's presence at the HIM Award Ceremony resonated with Aid Pioneers' commitment to challenging conventional humanitarian aid approaches. We're excited to share the main talking points from his thought-provoking address with you: ➡️ Dr. Friedrich argued that traditional aid has failed to deliver sustainable outcomes. ➡️ He suggested prioritizing trade over aid, emphasizing the pivotal role of the private sector in driving sustainable development. ➡️ He argued that paternalistic aid structures must be addressed by prioritizing the interests of partner countries first. ➡️ He raised concerns about Germany's moral and environmental standards for aid recipients, noting instances where Germany may fall short of these standards itself. Dr. Friedrich's insights raise questions about the relationship between development cooperation and strategic interests. Where do you think humanitarian aid is headed in 2024? 📷 by Volker Renner #AidPioneers #DevelopmentInnovation #DevelopmentThroughCollaboration

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 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.

Did you know that currently, international organizations receive 400 times more humanitarian aid funding than community-based organizations? It’s time we shifted aid to ensure that the communities who need it most receive this support. Read more on how we can localize aid here: https://ow.ly/9BKe50SSaPW #GA4Communities #CommunityDevelopment #ShiftPower

Specially-commissioned for the #DayForLearning, read this blog by Sudanshu Singh, CEO and founder of Humanitarian Aid International, exploring the importance of tacit learning. https://lnkd.in/ejZ9FD-p #WithLearningComesChange #UnlockLearning

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

The European Humanitarian Forum and ECHO Partner Day have concluded, but ZOA colleagues are still reflecting on the sessions and discussions we had this week in Brussels. We appreciate renewed donor commitment to and engagement with partner organisations. These times of innovative and collaborative learning are important as we continue to reach the most vulnerable and strengthen community resilience for future shocks. This is even more critical when faced with the increasing funding gap. EU in Emergencies European Commission Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2024 Dutch Relief Alliance USAID - Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance #humanitarianaid  #EHF2024

Learn more about cash transfers in humanitarian aid. Check experts’ perspectives on the efficiency, flexibility, and potential challenges of this approach. Find out why it is crucial to understand both perspectives to implement impactful aid programs: https://lnkd.in/dWvRevtq #DevelopmentAid #ExpertsOpinions #HumanitarianAid #CashTransfers #AidDelivery

The HDP nexus works. In this article, we tell the story about how our delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance to a conflict-affected IP community was linked to our peacebuilding project. Now there is hope that the 20-year conflict will end and the Talaandig tribe will be able to pursue the development of their ancestral land. The multi-sectoral, multi-year #ACCESS project funded by the European Union Humanitarian Aid, and the #BRIDGE peacebuilding project funded by EU-INTPA collaborated with the Talaandig tribe and relevant government agencies to achieve this win.

There is value in the diversity of the humanitarian community: humanitarian action can be made more effective by leveraging comparative advantages. Too often, unfortunately, humanitarian actors are not ready to be transparent and honest with one another about the choices they make and the reasons behind them. In the lead-up to our anniversary, join us as we look back on previous work, highlighting the lessons and recommendations that past pieces have brought up and exploring any outcomes, follow-up, or lack thereof. This message on leveraging comparative advantages is but one of many components of our retrospective; you can find the full series at https://bit.ly/HERE10 #HERE10 Here are the projects where we've explored this further: - Principled Humanitarian Assistance of ECHO Partners in Iraq: https://bit.ly/3GlNfKZ - Unpacking Humanitarianism: https://bit.ly/3wPfpg8 - Principled Humanitarian Programming in Yemen. A ‘Prisoner’s Dilemma’?: https://bit.ly/3oMjdrl