In December 2023, 730 people from 77 countries met in Bogotá for the #ShiftThePower Global Summit. Participants represented the range of the civil society and funding …
The pandemic also saw funders who had previously shied away from social justice work become more amenable to funding these critical areas.
I came into the development sector as a very passionate person. That passion drove my career from the “entry-level” to various senior roles. I rose to eventually manage one of the international organisations (INGO) as its Country Director. In this role, I was responsible for all country operations. The role came with many privileges and a lot of status. It gave me access to high-level meetings not only in Tanzania where I am based, but also at the international level. From this, I got a lot of respect, status, and access to a luxurious life.
Musimbi Epillose The concept of #ShiftThePower is rapidly taking over the old development approaches. For a long time, grassroots organizations were placed behind the scenes …
In July 2024, the Global Fund for Community Foundations (GFCF) extended their global reach to include Australia in the #ShiftThePower movement. I was fortunate enough …
At Philanthropy for Social Justice and Peace (PSJP) our goal has been to centre the normative values of justice, solidarity and agency in the field …
Burn-out is not an isolated issue but one that affects many across social movement. Collective care involves a commitment to care for each other. It is about making sure that we address the systemic issues of the society, but also attend to keeping the fire burning without burning ourselves out.
If we want the people to be resilient, how can we build a vision of evaluating that based on well-being? How can we measure resilience? How can we measure happiness? How can we measure some of these really extraordinary indicators?
When the sector talks about donor fatigue or donors saying they don’t see where the money is going. Well, only less than 10% of your money comes directly to us. They should ask Northern CSOs about the other 90% – they shouldn’t ask us.
As I edit this draft that was originally started in December shortly after the summit (which I decided to shelve to go for my annual break) I remember the power of rest that resounded throughout the summit. I remember the curiosity on the faces of over 700 people. I remember the tranquility room where I once napped, and I was joined by a participant who was having her prayers. I remember how we both co-existed in that space, her in her prayers, me in my half sleep/siesta and there was a powerful message within that moment that has stayed with me ever since. That we can co-exist, in rest and in care.
