Show Notes
NGOs rely on the images and stories of the people they work with to communicate the importance of their life-changing work. These contributors generously share their images, experiences and perspectives, but many of the stories NGOs share perpetuate stereotypes about the developing world and portray these people as disempowered.
Organisations are taking steps to source authentic imagery, but there’s still an imbalance of power between the NGO worker asking for a photo and the person having their picture taken.
This episode interrogates how NGOs can gather and deliver content more respectfully and ethically. Bond's Michal Blaszczyk talks to Ernest Randriarimalala from WaterAid Madagascar, Rachel Erskine from Amref Health Africa UK, and Jess Crombie, senior lecturer at University of the Arts London.
Access our ethical content guidelines and find out more about the Bond Conference here: http://bit.ly/2SUkNX5
More from Bondcast
With so many global problems escalating in scale and complexity, civil society needs to find new ways of working together to transform how we deliver international development and humanitarian assistance. We bring together experts who work across coalitions, networks and sectors to hear their experiences and insights of driving collaborative change. Stephanie Draper, Bond CEO, talks to Christina Bennett, CEO of the Start Network, Nasra Ismail, director of Somalia NGO Consortium, and Forum for the Future's Charlene Collison, who works on the Cotton 2040 initiative.
It’s been a turbulent last few weeks in British politics, but the political parties managed to hold their annual party conferences in the midst of Brexit and prorogation. But where does international development fit into this political maelstrom? What do politicians and MPs really think of aid? In this episode, experts provide their experiences and insights of parliamentary advocacy to breakdown how much the parties really support international development.
Only 1% of aid and humanitarian assistance goes directly to local organisations in developing countries. Despite a commitment to sustainable and locally-led development, international NGOs have still not redressed the imbalance of power, resources and funds that exists between northern NGOs and southern civil society organisations. So why have we not made progress in supporting and empowering those organisations that can best help the people in their communities? Is there a fundamental problem with the INGO system and its complicated funding dynamics?
The UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) represent a step forward in their recognition of systemic issues like inequality, peace and justice. But some critics say there has been a lack of concrete action by states or little space for accountability by citizens. Why is it so important that the UK engages with the SDGs on the international stage? How can NGOs ensure that the government upholds the goals’ central principle that the most marginalised shouldn't be left behind?
Despite the international development sector’s crucial work in tackling inequalities overseas, the UK NGO workforce still faces challenges in diversity, inclusion and unequal pay. How do we drive positive cultural change at all levels of an organisation? How do aid workers navigate complex contexts in countries where they are not afforded the same rights as the UK? We brought together experts delve into these complicated issues.