An Invitation to Fuel the Dialogue

[Jennifer Lentfer]

If you're in Washington D.C. this Wednesday , August 22nd, please join me for a "How Matters Hub" at 6:00pm EST. You can view the invite and RSVP here.

And if you're not in D.C. or won't be able to join us, you can listen to my recent interview on AidWorks, an Australian radio program started in 2010 by Cate Coorey and Tim O'Connor who, with backgrounds in both development and media, saw a lack of depth of discussion about international aid. AidWorks looks beyond the usual media cycle of disaster and conflict to report on the challenges, the triumphs, the amazingly talented and inspiring people and the conversations taking place all over the world about how to make our planet a more equitable and just place. Check them out on Facebook or Twitter.

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Here's what we'll be discussing:

Much of the talk about international development rests firmly within the cerebral aspects of our work – necessary systemic or policy changes, programming sectors or target groups, funding mechanisms, or the paradigm of foreign aid itself. Yet as donors, facilitators, managers, experts, and technocrats, we rarely have an opportunity to reflect on how our own attitudes and behaviors affect the relationships and processes to which we are party. How can we challenge the “infusion of outside expertise” mentality, as well as hierarchal accountability systems that de-motivate and create a glass ceiling for local groups and grassroots leaders in the aid industry?

Are we getting community leaders the resources they need to address their own priorities? 

Most importantly, do we know HOW to make this happen?

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