In the Face of Localization DEIA

Executive Summary

On November 1, 2022, the WCAPS International Development Working Group (IDWG) and the Center for Global Development convened a panel discussion on incorporating diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) in localization efforts. The panel was moderated by IDWG Co-Chair Alexus McNally and led by Hadeil Ali, Director of the Diversity and Leadership in International Affairs Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Chernor Bah, Co-founder and Co-CEO of Purposeful, and Kehinde Ajayi, Senior Fellow at the Center for Global Development. The conversation marked the beginning of a series of discussions that will explore how international development professionals can incorporate DEIA principles into their work and hold their organizations, development partners, and donors accountable There were many suggestions on how to best promote DEIA into localization in the international development sector Below we have compiled a list of guiding principles to start your organizational journey

Garner Support from Leadership:

Most initiatives put forth within an organization without backing from leadership will fail or be increasingly difficult to sustain Securing buy-in for your strategic plan from the head decision makers is imperative for meaningful change

Create a Strategic Plan:

DEIA should be an organization-wide effort It should cultivate the recruitment and retention of a diverse workforce, but it should also be mainstreamed into the design and development of the technical programs and operational policies A strategic plan for the organization should include a roadmap for implementing DEIA efforts at the short, medium and long term

Invest Money in the Process:

Be Mindful of Language:

Language shapes the way we approach our work and interact with others Be intentional with the words you integrate into your strategic plan and utilize when implementing it Language justice also needs to be taken into consideration Take care not to discount certain people or efforts because they do not speak English or the working language of your headquarter office

Center Diverse Voices:

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Make sure that the team in charge of leading the DEIA efforts is diverse and reflects the communities they serve, especially in leadership positions Individuals with lived experiences of oppression or who belong to marginalized groups should be centered in these efforts

Pay the individuals leading DEIA efforts If these individuals are already a part of the team, they should be compensated monetarily for their efforts Creating new paid positions within the organization dedicated to this work will facilitate meaningful progress Hiring a consultant to lead this work is another great way to ensure that the process is objective and does not strain human resources within the organization Training for all members of the organization should be a continuous effort

Monitor, Evaluate, and Learn: 6

Collect data and evaluate your organization’s current demographics Keep track of the activities implemented towards DEIA and localization Monitor changes and the effects on programming and company culture Set up formal pathways for collecting feedback Negative effects (especially those due to donor-imposed policies or conditions) should be documented, communicated, and addressed

Break the Mold:

There is no singular model that will work for every organization as they localize programming and strive for diversity, equity, and inclusion Part of engaging in international development work involves generating creative solutions to advance niche issues International development has colonial origins Certain practices and policies were established merely because they benefited individuals from the global north who were leading these efforts Development work is laden with structural racism

Many long-standing development policies and standards need to be reexamined and modified to localize the work in a way that is equitable and inclusive

For example, salaries in many organizations are influenced by the “cost of living” in a particular area The usual calculus for cost of living is heavily influenced by Western thinking In many places around the world, the cost of living includes much more than just food, housing, healthcare, and transportation for oneself and “immediate” family members

Individuals in collective societies and those from marginalized communities are sometimes responsible for maintaining their entire families and often villages, paying for schooling and clothing, and providing for others beyond their spouse and children

While these principles provide a guiding foundation, there will be nuances for each country and program and organization Donors still hold power over how we can work in these spaces and many questions remain unanswered As we continue to discuss how to best promote localization and DEIA we have to think of the following: How can we hold donors and private funders accountable for their failures in the development field? Many programs have not been successful, and yet we continue to utilize the same practices. Would bringing in more national voices help in determining what is actually needed? How do the current power structures play a role in which donors are accepted into countries and the larger development culture today? How do we use DEIA strategies to re-center the work to be more locally focused? How can we secure funding with minimal restrictions to put the money where it is needed most? And how can we remain humble, recognizing that we do not know all the answers, so must commit to being open to listening and learning? We look forward to discussing these points at future events