Individual actions within complex systems are key to dismantling hierarchical institutions’ ties to oppressive systems.

Internal champions for change within often feel isolated & without support, yet they hold an key role in fundamental changes to #globaldev ways of working. /1
Opportunities for building so-called “soft” collaborative skills remain largely unavailable to many "champions" in their professional workplaces. Find peers, comradeship, and belonging that will enable you to take more “risks” within your organization: healingsolidarity.org /2
The focus can be not only on the individual and professional growth needed for action, but on specific skills related to speaking up and to change management processes. And none of us can do this alone: how-matters.org/services/ /3
Together let's build the skills and confidence to have braver conversations with our colleagues. I believe we have to “build the muscle” to overcome learned helplessness & institutional inertia that is a result of privilege. patreon.com/howmatters?fan… /4

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More from @intldogooder

4 Dec
In my communications consulting work, I advise #globaldev organizations to no longer view communications as an “add-on” service department, first beholden to the #fundraising function of an organization. /1
At this point in history, communications departments can and must be developing narrative change strategies that support the vision of the world they and their partners are building. #DevComms /2
In this week of #GivingTuesday, it may appear that #narrativechange work is at odds with proven fundraising practices. how-matters.org/2018/12/04/giv… /3
Read 8 tweets
6 Jun
Just doing a little late night perusing of INGO's statements of solidarity with the Black community from this week... #DevCommsNerd

While some mentioned how important diversity was, NOT ONE mentioned starting where they are and changing their own governance and leadership. /1
Not the biggies like @WorldVisionUSA, @CARE, @CatholicRelief, @SavetheChildren. Not the "cool" ones like @charitywater or @PIH or @Heifer or @Ashoka or @OxfamAmerica. Not the humanitarian ones like @mercycorps or @RESCUEorg or @MSF_USA. Not @PlanUSA. Not @PactWorld. Not @fhi360.
When it comes to anti-Black racism work and #globaldev or #socialgood work, we have to start right where we are.

No more "statements" and intellectualization and crappy DEI training, please. how-matters.org/2020/06/01/way… /3
Read 8 tweets
28 May
"The @WFP spokesperson told @Devex “...Some people find it inspirational & it motivates them to become committed supporters to the organisation.”

Bullshit. Donors do not find it inspirational. Their guilt, pity & shame are used like cash machines. devex.com/news/world-foo… /1
Must we say it about #povertyporn yet again?

Yes we must:

Charitable portrayals of “helping” often conjure up victimhood and passivity in order to validate the assistance being given. #devcomms #comms4dev #comms4good #fundraising /2
There is a growing awareness that these portrayals uphold - rather than counteract - historical, deeply colonial, and continually politicized notions of “the other.”

And it is not ok. /3
Read 15 tweets
28 Feb 19
People in rich countries don’t often hear stories about organized people improving their communities in the Global South or strong organizations pushing their governments to change policies that hurt poor people. #DevComms #aid #globaldev #NGOs /1
Rather, the aid system is built on an assumption that outside experts have the knowledge, skills, and resources that are lacking in poor countries and communities. /2
Also the aid system is predicated on marketing materials that show needy, desolate, and despondent individuals unable to help themselves, and so, the stories persist, even if they little resemble what is happening in reality, on the ground. /3
Read 6 tweets

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