How inclusive is the International Development Cooperation, especially the leadership?
๐ After having read this groundbreaking report by Global Health 50/50, I am unfortunately not surprised by the results. After almost two decades in the sector, there have been many examples that prove the findings of the report from my own experience: youth organizationsโ board membership consisting of 100% people over the age of 50, womenโs rights organizations with a majority of men in board and leadership, and so on.
๐ช I also believe that #powerdynamics definitely need to be addressed to ensure meaningful #inclusivediversity within organizations and the sector overall.
๐จ However, organizations have a #responsibility to ensure their boards reflect the diversity of the people they serve. This is especially true for organizations that aim at empowering people and ensuring equitable outcomes through their programs.ย When members of a board are selected based on relationships, and diversity within that group is not given, effects ofย #unconsciousbias, e.g. #affinitybias, #perceptionbias and #groupthinking , will occur and the entire organization, as well as the people they serve, will lose out.
๐จ It is now the right time for organization to #act! Based on increased meaningful and mutually respectful collaboration among organizations in the global north and global south over the past years, there is a good basis for starting the #movement for more inclusive diversity and less power dynamics in boards of NGOs, as well as in their entire organization.
โ๏ธ What needs to be done? Some ideas:
1. Define and publish organizational objectives that include diversity targets for the board membership
2. Develop strategies and implementation plans to address these diversity targets
3. Reduce power dynamics -ย make room for those previously locked out of leadership positions.
๐คฒDiscussions and decisions within the boards and the organization will benefit from this because of the broader and more creative thinking that diversity of staff and leadership enables.ย #leadership #internationaldevelopment #NGOs #diversity #equity #inclusion #power #diversityconsulting
It would be interesting to hear your opinions on that: Sarah Ansel Cornelia R.Eva Herrmann Ndunge Evelyn Pavao Althea Dellaura Anderson Anna Dahlman George Ouma Chale Sammy Nina Guillerme Tashrifa Silayi Imali Ngusale Birgit Hermann Peter Ngure