Localisation, which promotes locally led development, requires INGOs to engage in internal reflection. Transitioning to a locally led model involves a paradigm shift and dismantling deep-rooted beliefs, behaviours, and structures, especially for INGOs operating from Australian-based offices.
The Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) describes “…locally led development as a way of thinking and engaging and as a cross-cutting approach for designing and delivering effective development cooperation programs”. This mindset needs to permeate every behaviour, process, and decision, starting from within.
For INGOs founded in previous centuries, where colonial, white supremacist and ableist approaches were prevalent, this necessitates a shift in organizational structures, governance, culture, values, and behaviours.
At MSI Asia Pacific, we have been evolving our approach to localization over a long timeframe. While we have made progress, it is far from enough – we need to do better. The journey towards localization can only be one of continuous learning, action, and change. Moving forward requires truth-telling and humility.
Decolonisation and Transforming Inequity
The historical legacies of the ‘aid’ narrative in international development have led to paternalistic power structures. The paradigm shift towards localization requires a radical change in how both INGOs and donors balance power, strategy, and risk. We cannot overlook that the colonial legacy and resultant power imbalances continue to influence global aid ecosystems.
In our area of focus, sexual and reproductive health, we continue to carefully process the layers of historical racial, gendered, and disability injustice experienced locally and globally. Working across sectors and informed by lived experience experts, we continue to develop our understanding of interpersonal and structural reproductive violence. Alongside this, we continue to work hard for universal access to contraception and abortion care.
A decolonial approach to international development challenges the traditional power dynamics that have often characterized the relationship between INGOs and communities. It calls for critically examining how development practices can perpetuate colonial legacies of dependency and inequity. Often, it requires dismantling power structures in every area of an organization and engaging in self-critique and reflection, a process where discomfort is inevitable. This discomfort is essential for shifting power.
Over the past year, MSI has been through a FutureFit process globally, operationalizing the shifting of power. This has required a deep review and analysis of how we work, including examining our appetite for risk, unpacking inherent structural biases, and reshaping how we engage with each other across all parts of the organisation.
What localisation can be like for an International NGO
Some INGOs are doing this work better than others, and we are still at the start of our journey at MSI Asia Pacific. Being locally led often involves a phase of organizational self-reflection, where the INGO examines its past- and potentially present- contributions to problematic and disempowering practices. For any Australian-based international organisation, this involves examining the organisation’s relationship with Country, that is, the lands, waterways and communities within which we are physically working from within.
The process requires truth-telling and reconciliation at all levels of governance across teams and organisational culture. This involves strategic risk-taking, embedding anti-racism practices, and evolving cultural safety.
These shifts combine with various decolonial work practices, from new mechanisms to better plan meetings across time zones to moving the physical location of support offices or perhaps removing some offices altogether.
These shifts should result in INGOs moving away from being direct implementers to becoming supporters of community-controlled initiatives. This will look slightly different for everyone.
Commitments, Codes and Power
Commitment 2.1, recently added to the ACFID Code of Conduct, outlines the Member’s commitment to “seek to reduce power imbalances and invest in locally-led development and humanitarian initiatives”.
Shifting power involves transferring power and resources to community-based actors, enabling them to lead in identifying priorities, designing projects, and implementing solutions. This recognizes that communities understand themselves, not just their needs but also their strengths, and are subsequently best positioned to drive sustainable change.
Moreover, locally led development enhances the community, climate, and health nexus. By strengthening community-controlled institutions, INGOs can support communities in better responding to and recovering from crises. This is particularly important across Asian and South Pacific regions prone to climate disasters and other shocks. By shifting power to community-based actors, we can all contribute to self-reliant communities.
We may make mistakes as we move forward and challenge these colonial legacies. However, we risk far more if NGOs and INGOs fail to change. Let’s balance boldness with humility as we reshape Australian aid and move towards a Safer World for All.
Bio
Bonney Corbin is the acting Co-Executive Officer of MSI Asia Pacific, a Naarm-Melbourne-based member organisation focused on enabling the reproductive choices people need to determine their own futures. Bonney is an urban planner who is a dual citizen, disabled, and LGBTIQ+; and is also Co-Chair of the International Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Consortium.
