This note complements our earlier brief ‘Western Aid Cooperation in Meltdown – Radical Change Required’ which discussed the politically-driven changes in the aid sector and in multilateral norms and -cooperation, that we are experiencing today.
It is mainly addressed at the UN, Red Cross Movement, INGOs and national/local non-governmental organisations, that are part of the ‘international aid establishment’.
Its purpose is to mobilise mental and emotional energy beyond ‘surviving’ the aid budget cuts. Its main messages are
§ The state of the world today and tomorrow requires a profound transformation of the UN and of the aid establishment, not another ‘reform’ or ‘reset’ to what is was a few years ago.
§ The UN and mainstream aid agencies need to critically examine how they have been part of the ‘old system’ with great achievements but also profound flaws. A ‘Braver New World’ requires that we drop our own poor practices, among them costly ways of working, ego-centric competition and very hierarchical organisational cultures.
§ Concentrating the remaining resources, capabilities and energy overwhelmingly on ‘humanitarian’ aid’ would be a strategic mistake. It will remain desperately needed, but humanitarian action is largely reactive and in reality only alleviates suffering inadequately and temporarily. We must also robustly engage with the macro-drivers of global inequality, exploitation, environmental destruction, misery and suffering. Fundamentally, this is about ‘economics’.
§ Western ‘international’ NGOs need to engage much more in their ‘home societies’, as it is primarily the Western governments, voted in by parts of their populations, who are most actively withdrawing from international cooperation, with aid budgets cuts, but also politically.
§ Local and national NGOs also need to critically reflect on their own behaviours, among them their competitiveness, leaderships, independent thinking and ability to propose.
Fragmentation and competition are costly: The times require a major pooling of resources: joined programmes, shared offices, merging organisations and international organisations really supporting and complementing local and national actors.
The brief offers an initial set of questions for critical self-reflection, grouped under the broad categories of UN, INGOs, local/national non-governmental organisations. Most are equally relevant for members of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. You may disagree with some of these questions or their underlying assumptions. That is fine. Your own insights, creativity and wisdom are warmly invited. Refine, change, add to them – but stay with the purpose: To courageously review how we too have been part of a Western international cooperation system, with serious flaws. We will not be able to contribute to a more equitable future without also transforming ourselves. Download the brief here.