Programming, outreach and advocacy

To improve the effectiveness of our programming, we must first improve our understanding of intersectional and anti-racism approaches. We must actively take steps to deliver and engage in policy research, advocacy, outreach and programming that is intersectional and anti-racist. This means learning from others, reflecting on our existing models and ways of working, analyzing, supporting, listening to and being guided by allies, and deepening and expanding our relationships and collaborations.

Progress highlights

We recognize that diverse perspectives are essential to ensuring our analyses are representative. Oxfam Canada increased the diversity of the Feminist Influencing Group. The group was included in the media briefing on the federal budget to ensure more diverse voices were included in the commentary. For the Feminist Scorecard 2022, Oxfam Canada consulted a wider range of allies to deepen the intersectional analysis and provided a platform for racialized, Indigenous and 2SLGBTQ+ folks to share their analysis of the Liberal government’s progress.

Furthermore, Oxfam Canada conducted a cross-organizational review of Oxfam affiliate activities in support of reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and identifying lessons learned. We also approved a Plan of Action in support of Indigenous Rights outlining the steps we will take to further advance its agenda.

From a programming perspective, Oxfam Canada continued implementing our new project, Inclusive Child Care for All, funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE) which aims to increase the voices and perspectives of racialized communities in policy discussions on child care and diversify the child care movement in Canada.

Decolonization

Our journey to walk the talk on our values and around anti-racism and JEDI cannot be limited to what happens within our organization but must also examine our contributions to changing the deep power imbalances within the aid sector and to getting resources directly to the local actors who are at the frontlines of the fight for social justice and human rights. This means changing our approach to partnerships, changing how we talk about and fundraise for our work and changing how we make decisions and spend the resources we are intrusted with. Oxfam Canada has committed to shifting power, influence and resources from North to South in its 2021-2025 Strategic Framework. We aim to achieve a greater global balance by ensuring that 70% of all net unrestricted funds are spent in the ‘Global South’.

Oxfam Canada’s work to grow as an anti-racist, feminist and inclusive organization on Oxfam Canada’s work to grow as an anti-racist, feminist and inclusive organization

Oxfam, as a confederation, is actively involved in the Pledge for Change initiative that aims to rethink and work towards the decolonization of the global aid system. The Oxfam confederation is being challenged to shift its business model, rethink our understanding of partnerships and change the way in which they design programs, disburse funds, communicate and fundraise. The confederation has committed to becoming smaller, more nimble and closer to the activists driving change. Currently, of the 21 Oxfam affiliates, only 6 identify themselves as being from the Global South: India, South Africa, Mexico, Colombia, Turkey and Brazil. The confederation also committed to welcoming new affiliates like Oxfam Philippines and Oxfam in the Pacific this year.

There is still much for us to unpack to determine what this global shift means in practice: the implications for our departments and for us as a northern affiliate, and the way forward to not only devolve power, money and voice to local communities, but also to reinvent our role in building a just and sustainable world.

Oxfam Canada has created a separate Decolonization Working Group with representatives from various departments to provide advice on decolonizing our ways of working, shifting power and resources to partners and contributing to power shifts within the Oxfam confederation and the broader international development and humanitarian ecosystem. This group has its own Terms of Reference and will advance its own process while looking for ways to connect to the efforts of the other cross-organizational committees, particularly the Anti-Racism and JEDI committee, the Indigenous Rights and Justice Committee and the Feminist Principles Committee.

There are no easy answers or solutions to the very complex and deeply rooted challenges around decolonization, but we are committed to finding ways to accelerate these changes and make it sustainable. This will require recognizing that the work comes with several tensions and contradictions, as well the fact that as an organization we have a limited sphere of influence. However, we are committed to advancing this work, guided by the new Oxfam Canada Decolonization Working Group.

Internally, Oxfam Canada has been advancing conversations with staff regarding the decolonization of Oxfam Canada (including in all departmental retreats and the Oxfam Canada all-staff retreat). Furthermore, all staff participated in a workshop on decolonizing development led by PopWorks Africa and participated in conversations with Oxfam Canada’s Board of Directors on the history and future of Oxfam’s work as an anti-racist organization. Staff also participated in a session organized by the International Programs Department regarding localization vs. decolonization: a discussion on the differences and Oxfam’s role.

Oxfam Canada is also implementing international programming that reflects decolonized approaches. The International Programs Department is piloting changes to the way international programs are designed to ensure that more funds are allocated to country teams and partners and that they have greater ownership of the program design and objectives. We are also aiming to lessen the burden of GAC requirements on international partners.