Rethinking the Aid Paradigm
(discussion 4)
On 7th February 2024
Attendees:
Sandro Pampallona, (e.g. article) | Paula Bollini (e.g. article) | Felicity Jones | John Wood
- See some AI generated summary notes
- See also the previous discussion on 24th January 2024
- See other meetings on different topics
Criticisms of current development system
- Speakers critiqued how development roles are predefined, limiting synergies between communities, donors, and facilitators.
- Siloed thinking prioritizes scale over complementarity.
Reimagining development without predefined roles -
- Sandro advocated animating a system with fluid, equitable roles where all contribute varied skills towards shared goals, not predefined problems.
- Synergies would emerge organically from communal endeavours.
Facilitation as a systemic process
- John discussed facilitation as a catalytic process that transforms paradigms, not a fixed role.
- Communities intrinsically facilitate one another; external facilitators reintroduce lost capacities.
- Philanthropists as potential partners in reimagining development.
- Felicity identified impact-focused philanthropists frustrated by rigid structures who might collaborate on reimagining development as a level playing field of shared interests.
John's notes & afterthoughts
- NGOs - Sandro had described the limitations and flaws in NGOs.
- Nevertheless, in some endeavours it seems essential to operate as a NGO.
- Sandro & Paula therefore describe their organisation as a 'Microscopic NGO'.
- Similarly, the usual focus on funding is often Money