The year 2020 was marked with opportunities to think differently and reflect on old patterns of behaviour and ways of working. Personally, there was a nagging feeling that something was not right. The conversations we were having with many leaders and staff from local organisations, INGOs, donors and the UN indicated to us that there is a profound problem in where we are. Something seems STUCK. I have been reflecting a lot on this “stuckness”, what it feels like and what it looks like. Going through “Awareness Practices For Leadership!” with U Academy, and the Presencing Institutes’ U Lab journey last year has clarified some things and opened up a whole new way of reflection. As I sit here today writing this in my reflective time I picked a card from “Be the Change” set of cards by Vanessa Jane Smith, which always inspires deeper reflections. The card that chose me today was “Integration”. The guidance book explains what is meant by Integration:
“From down on the ground and close up, difference is so apparent; this and that, here and there, good and bad, right and wrong. From down here there is little room to move between the separating walls of difference. But if you spread your wings and fly up above it all, new patterns form on the same ground below. Difference crumbles around its edges, and new colours, new shades, and new patterns appear, which connect and integrate across the planes. From up there the storyline of division transforms, and new conversations and associations can begin.”
Wow there it is. In the last five years GMI has had the privilege to be down on the ground listening to different voices, those differences, “us”, “them”, “good”, “bad”, “trust”, “distrust”, “powered”, “empowered”, “disempowered” were very apparent. Last year we had the privilege to take a bird’s eye view to look at the systems wide panorama on localisation in 9 countries and more broadly. We see from our bird’s eye view that there are many networks and organisational processes going on from the Grand Bargain, Charter 4 Change, GBV localisation, GPC Localisation of Protection and many individual and joint projects on localisation at the Start Network, ODI, CHS Alliance, Bond UK, Venro etc. However, we also see that progress is slow and in some places stuck with focus on risk and lack of trust.
What is becoming ever more clearer to me is that the egos and individual voices of judgement, cynicism and fear are driving the humanitarian aid sector, creating the divisions, competition, prejudices, discrimination, exploitation and abuse of populations in crisis and partners on the ground and driving the lack of diversity and inclusion. The hierarchal structure is no longer serving humanity but entrenching those old attitudes and behaviours, as the humanitarian crisis grow and the resources are shrinking. What if we approach our work with more open mind, open heart and open will, what would we see from the bird’s eye view? Can we transform the landscape and initiate new, deeper listening and conversations, associations and actions that are built on trust, compassion and hope?
Firstly, we notice the voice of JUDGEMENT about “them” on the ground are deep seated and is dominating the mind-set. Judging their capacity, integrity, commitments, accountability, ... the list is long. The judgments lead to inequity, injustice, unfair treatment, prejudice, exclusion and retaliation against those who speak out. What would happen if we all suspend superiority and these judgements, listen more deeply and come to the discussions with an open mind. For that to happen we need to create spaces for deep listening to our conscious and unconscious biases, racism and prejudices first. What steps will you take this year to suspend superiority and judgement?
Secondly, SOLIDARITY which is the basis of humanitarian action requires engagement of the HEART and SOUL. “Human” part of the humanitarian, the heart and the soul seems to be missing in action. Cynicism seems to be winning the day. Some are cynical that things can change. They are looking for change in others but the change starts with us. When individuals connect with their heart, consciousness and self they can move mountains. What if we suspend our cynicism and open our heart and soul to trust. Trust should be the basis of any partnership and solidarity. This will bring back heartfulness back in humanitarian action. We have seen in the response to Covid where people’s kindness and compassion has been rekindled. Individual citizens, community groups and others have come together showing their support and solidarity. When we dig deep in our hearts we find resilience and find ways of coping. We become more innovative, we open our minds to new ways of working, we open our hearts with compassion for others. How will you cultivate a more open heart in your work?
Thirdly, there is the fear. Fear of change, of others, losing control, losing power, losing market share, losing funding, losing constituency, losing grounds to others, losing face and fear of appearing weak. The reports that have come out over the last few years of the toxic internal organisational culture, PSEA and in light of Black Lives Matter movement the reflection on racism and prejudice in the aid sector should be time for deeper reflection and listening and action. These are not new, with political will from those who fund humanitarian action, and organisational leaders and individuals, change can happen, from old ways of working and hierarchy to new ways of working. We can move from EGO system of working to ECO system of working where we appreciate, values and acknowledge everyone’s role. There is room for every voice at the table and focus on the higher purpose, ensuring that all people have the resources to be at their full potential. What Covid has taught us is that where there is will there is a way. Willingness of working together to find a vaccine in record time, now how will we ensure that it will also be used for greater good and be distributed to all, not only the rich who have the resources. What then needs to happen to change the aid system and de-colonise aid? How will you demonstrate the will to confront your own fears this year and be open to change? What will you do together with your team and organisation to effect this change and what will you do with others?
Join us in the journey in constructing spaces to cultivate the deeper listening with open mind, open heart and an open will to act. Be in touch if you are curious and want to know more. spatel@gmentor.org.