The context of international cooperation asks for dialogues on southern leadership and changes in power dynamics. New ways of partnerships between CSOs are addressed in a several platforms. For advisory work, we discussed new ways of working in an interactive session facilitated by Smruti Patel and Katherine Belen. How to realise equal relationships in consultancy and advisory work? We look back on an inspiring and constructive afternoon - see more

Shift the Power - Decolonizing Aid

International advisory work in a world of transition
Wednesday, 29 March 2023 | 14:30 - 17:30 | Utrecht & online

Changing power dynamics - International advisory work of NEDWORC members and other advisors in international development cooperation takes place in the context of foreign policy dialogues on southern leadership and changes in power dynamics.

What is the role of individual consultants and advisors in this changing power dynamics context? While the issue of unequal power relations in partnerships between CSOs is addressed in a growing number of platforms and networks, the role of advisory work remains a bit underexposed.

Impression by Manon de Courten:

We look back on an inspiring and constructive afternoon held at The Kargadoor in Utrecht and online, at the occasion of NEDWORC Association’s Lustrum on 29 March 2023. This session was organised by Thea Bongertman, Manon de Courten and Gerrit de Vries.

What is our current role in upholding unequal power relations between the Global North and the Global South? How can we shift these power dynamics towards more equity in our daily work? In this connection, how can NEDWORC Association offer a space of belonging for its current and new members?

To answer these questions, we first looked at the NEDWORC Code of Conduct, presented by Christine Verheijden, which will require an update to foster the much-needed Southern leadership and ownership.

Then, under the energic guidance of Smruti Patel, co-founder and director of the Global Mentoring Initiative, we explored issues of trust and equity in the current international cooperation practices. Considering our privileged position, how can we pay back and foster solidarity with the Global South?

Katherine Belen, founder and managing director of the Connective Paths Foundation, facilitated our further reflection on this question along key dimensions of equitable partnerships, such as roles and responsibilities, participation in decision-making, access to and control of resources, protection from violence and exploitation, and balancing needs and strategic interests. This led most of us to acknowledge both our role within a system perpetuating inequity, and our power, privilege and potential to change it from within with small but important steps.

Wrapping up the session with recommendations for NEDWORC Association, Saskia Ivens and Jan Reynders underscored the widely shared need to internationalise membership, to increase the diversity of our members in The Netherlands, and to support individual behaviour of consultants and advisors in each and every step of our international work towards equity and solidarity.

We will follow up on this important discussion in our activities this year.

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NEDWORC started 37 years ago as a network of Netherlands consultants/advisors in international cooperation work. It has grown into a strong network for connection and sharing. In the transition towards a more international association, with online and hybrid networking events, we invite our international colleagues to join in this space of sharing. This change in character of the association will also chance NEDWORC into a space of belonging for new and non-Dutch speaking members, a space that we create together.

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PROGRAM
14:30 Walk in and registration
15:00 Welcome
15:10 Keynotes & workshop sessions by
- Katherine Belen (KCMB Consulting and Connective Path Foundation)
- Smruti Patel (Global Mentoring Initiative)
17:00 Drinks and networking

The Evening program for NEDWORC members was at the same location and online, see more

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NEDWORC Event | International advisory work in a world of transition

• When: 29th of March, 2023
• Time: 3:00- 5:30 PM (walk in 2:30pm, start 3:00 sharp)
• Where: De Kargadoor, Oudegracht 36, 3511 AP Utrecht www.kargadoor.nl
• Join online: Zoom session, facilitated by online facilitator Simon Koolwijk
• For whom: open to everyone interested, NEDWORC members and other consultants/advisors in international cooperation

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