Systems
Systems

Evolving together: What caterpillars can teach us about transforming philanthropy

Have you heard of imaginal cells? This is what Amaha Selassie asked us as we sat in the jungle-themed hotel lobby. It was the night after the #ShiftThePower Summit in Bogotá, and 5 of us had come together seemingly by accident, talking for hours about the worlds of possibility and complexity that the Summit had unlocked. None of us knew about these cells, so Amaha explained

A call to COP28 participants:

As global leaders met at the COP in Dubai, over 700 change-makers  who work in communities in over 80 countries met in Bogotá with a focus on harnessing and mobilizing resources so that all may thrive, even in the midst of the climate crisis.

Do you believe that another way is possible? Come join us for the #ShiftThePower Global Summit, 5–7 December 2023 in Bogotá, Colombia

Do you want to be part of a global conversation that puts communities in charge of their own development and that produces flourishing lives for all?

Do you believe that the current international funding system can and must be re-shaped to be more locally-owned and locally-led?

Do you want to be inspired by new ways of deciding and doing that are emerging around the world, that centre dignity, equity and trust – and that recognize the resources and inherent power of communities?

If so, join us in Bogotá from 5–7 December 2023!

Looking in the mirror: Personal reflections on decolonizing aid

As we undertook this work, we came to appreciate the depth of our personal conditioning as well as that of the staff, leadership, and organisations that engaged in these conversations. We became more aware of the extent to which our own personal perspectives and those of others involved in the discussions have been shaped by existing norms and practices of aid.

Measuring in complexity

On 9th May 2023, the Global Fund for Community Foundation hosted a meeting with Deepthy Menon in conversation with Barry Knight on Measuring What Matters. The following are extracts from the meeting repurposed into a written Q&A to extend this conversation to a wider audience. 

Human-centred mentorship in global health research: Are we ready to give what it takes?

Given its nature of being an interpersonal endeavour, the human-centred mentorship process is a complex array of responsibilities that requires continuous symbiotic collaboration between mentor and mentee. It also requires a deeper holistic focus on the individual with mentee development (personal and professional) being the outcome.