Why this Webinar?
Across the sector, there is a growing urgency to create more equitable, locally led partnerships. Numerous studies, discussions and events have explored how power dynamics influence decision-making, resource allocation and the effectiveness of development and peacebuilding efforts. But where do we stand now, ten years after the first Shift-the-Power debates and the Grand Bargain Agreement?
In this webinar, we will move beyond theory and rhetoric through engaging in discussions inspired by real-life stories, experiences and practices that demonstrate the transformative impact of shifting power. Together, we will examine how organisations have challenged colonial approaches, strengthened local leadership, and built partnerships based on equity, trust, mutual accountability and shared decision-making.
Key researches
These stories of impact will be enriched with key insights and practical recommendations from two important research initiatives: Influencing funders to shift power: Lessons from Giving for Change, led by Wilde Ganzen, and Transforming Partnerships, led by Peace Direct. By connecting research findings with lived experiences, the session will offer participants concrete examples of what meaningful power shifts can look like in practice, as well as the opportunities and challenges that come with this journey.
Join us to learn from practitioners, reflect on our own partnerships, and engage in a conversation about how we can collectively foster more just, effective and sustainable forms of partnerships in international cooperation.
Programme information
Structure of the programme:
- Check-in & Introduction
- Panel Conversation
- Break-out session
- Reflection & concluding remarks
Moderator: Gigi Ong-Alok. Gigi is a Social Justice and Innovation facilitator with a passionate focus on building communities and coalitions for inclusive change.
The panel speakers:
- Grace Maingi is the Kenya Community Development Foundation (KCDF) Executive Director. KCDF focuses on working with communities to enhance their resilience through sustainable development approaches and addressing social justice issues. KCDF believes that sustainable change is possible when communities are at the centre of their own development and in charge of finding their solutions. KCDF is a strong proponent for community philanthropy and creating an enabling environment for citizens and civil society to flourish. Grace is a human rights lawyer who has dedicated her work to the not-for-profit sector over the last twenty-five years due to her belief in the need for equality and justice in society.
- Syed Ali Abbas Zaidi is the Founder of HIVE, a Pakistan-based social impact organisation working at the intersection of peacebuilding, community innovation and leadership. With over 19 years of experience in the social development sector, Ali’s work focuses on shifting power and resources closer to communities and strengthening locally led solutions. Through initiatives such as the Community Innovation Lab, HIVE supports grassroots leaders to design, test and scale responses rooted in local knowledge and priorities.
- Sadaf Shallwani is an independent researcher focusing on work alongside people and communities to create and use knowledge for social justice. She has written many publications, including Influencing funders to shift power: Lessons from Giving for Change.
- Raaval Bains is research officer for Peace Direct. Raaval is responsible for supporting Peace Direct’s research work on Decolonising the System. He has worked on the Transforming Partnerships research of Peace Direct.
Unfortunately, our registration is closed due to the maximum amount of participants being reached! Thank you for your interest and keep an eye out for future Partos sessions via our event calendar.