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Belangenbehartiging & Beleidsbeïnvloeding Nieuws

Unvealing the science behind ‘Shifting Power’: Launch of an academic research

On the 11th of January Partos hosted the launch event of the only academic study providing a comprehensive analysis of concrete actions taken to shift power between NGOs. A just-completed research report, Where do we go from here examines the nature, extent and effect of actions undertaken by Northern and Southern NGOs within NGO partnerships and the broader aid system – and its insights can help to figure out where we go from here. The study was developed as part of the Partos Shift the Power Lab 2.0.

17 januari 2024

What can we learn from all the talk & practice on ‘Shifting Power’?

Drawing on more than 450 survey respondents and 53 interviews in the Global North and South, the report highlights sources of power imbalances, who does what to change it, limitations, barriers and priorities. Ultimately, the report draws a clear conclusion: there is a need to go beyond actions within programmes and individual organisations. There is a need to revise the broader framework in which aid actors operate.

Launch event

The launch event was popular. More then 250 people joined us to hear about what we can learn from all the talk & walk on shifting power. The research was discussed by three discussants representing different actors from international cooperation:

  • Moses Isooba – Director Uganda National NGO Forum
  • Caro Krijger – Head Civil Society Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Netherlands
  • Alan Fowler – Honorary Professor Chair in African Philanthropy, Wits Business School, Johannesburg

Concluding recommendations were given by the research team.

Did we sparked your interest?

Recording launch event

Full research report

Summary research report

Or watch the animation video:

This research was conducted under the Partos Shift the Power Lab,  by the Makerere University Kampala, University of Ghana, Wageningen University & Research, Manchester University, London School of Economics and Political Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Radboud University, with the support from the Partos Innovation Hub.