Recommendations & Conclusions
14 items
2
Conclusion
First Report - Racism in the aid sector
Acknowledged
The use of European languages, particularly English, in the development sector can lock out national actors who operate in local languages.
Government response AI summary
The government describes its language training programme for FCDO staff and its use of multilingual country-based staff.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
4
Conclusion
First Report - Racism in the aid sector
Acknowledged
It is important that progress made by DFID to shift funding decisions from Whitehall towards country offices is not lost under the merged department.
Government response AI summary
The FCDO will continue to look to shift funding decisions towards country posts, guided by the IDS's patient approach and commitment to local stakeholders.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
5
Recommendation
First Report - Racism in the aid sector
Acknowledged
Further, the FCDO should increase the amount of UK aid funding that goes directly to locally led civil society organisations. It should reconsider how it conceptualises and calculates risk and work with local civil society organisations to undertake the due diligence and administration associated with bidding for FCDO contracts.
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Further, the FCDO should increase the amount of UK aid funding that goes directly to locally led civil society organisations. It should reconsider how it conceptualises and calculates risk and work with local civil society organisations to undertake the due diligence and administration associated with bidding for FCDO contracts.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the importance of a more locally-led approach and mentions its commitments as a signatory to various agreements, but does not commit to any specific new actions beyond existing pooled funding mechanisms.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
7
Conclusion
First Report - Racism in the aid sector
Acknowledged
The manner in which the cuts to UK aid took place, with little or no consultation of downstream partners, or the communities where they are implemented has sent a harmful message that the UK does not care about the people affected, many of which are Black, Indigenous and People of …
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The manner in which the cuts to UK aid took place, with little or no consultation of downstream partners, or the communities where they are implemented has sent a harmful message that the UK does not care about the people affected, many of which are Black, Indigenous and People of Colour.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the difficult decisions regarding aid spending and states that these decisions were not born from a lack of respect for partners or affected communities.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
8
Conclusion
First Report - Racism in the aid sector
Acknowledged
The structure of the sector transfers much of the risk to frontline implementing partners who have the least capacity to mitigate those risks.
Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the risk transfer to frontline partners and reiterates its commitment to working with diverse CSOs and increasing engagement speed through grants and MOUs, while ensuring value for money and safeguarding. They also state 'Exit Plans' are written with delivery partners to mitigate …
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
12
Recommendation
First Report - Racism in the aid sector
Acknowledged
The terminology used in the aid sector has its roots in colonialism; it ‘others’ the communities where programmes are delivered and reinforces ideas that ‘the West’ is the ideal that others should aspire to. It is not easy to strip the sector of terms such as ‘recipient’ or ‘beneficiary’, even …
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The terminology used in the aid sector has its roots in colonialism; it ‘others’ the communities where programmes are delivered and reinforces ideas that ‘the West’ is the ideal that others should aspire to. It is not easy to strip the sector of terms such as ‘recipient’ or ‘beneficiary’, even the term ‘aid’ adds to this narrative.
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Government response AI summary
The FCDO recognises the active debate about terminology and is exploring taking part in these conversations.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
13
Recommendation
First Report - Racism in the aid sector
Acknowledged
The aid sector should have a conversation that includes the communities it works with to develop positive and inclusive working terminology, the FCDO should consider how it can lead this work.
Government response AI summary
The FCDO recognises the active debate about terminology and is exploring taking part in these conversations.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
19
Conclusion
First Report - Racism in the aid sector
Acknowledged
Collecting and publishing data on diversity in staffing is a key element of holding aid organisations to account. Only by being transparent can organisations share and learn from each-other. For the smallest organisations it might not be appropriate to publish diversity data if it could compromise employees’ rights to confidentiality …
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Collecting and publishing data on diversity in staffing is a key element of holding aid organisations to account. Only by being transparent can organisations share and learn from each-other. For the smallest organisations it might not be appropriate to publish diversity data if it could compromise employees’ rights to confidentiality but organisations with over 50 employees should do so.
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Government response AI summary
The FCDO publishes diversity information and gender pay gap reports, but requiring organizations they fund to publish data may not always be appropriate or possible.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
24
Conclusion
First Report - Racism in the aid sector
Acknowledged
DFID previously set out its ambition to publish more inclusive data, in order to improve its programming in 2022.
Government response AI summary
The government states the FCDO is a signatory of the inclusive data charter and remains committed to its vision and principles.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
30
Conclusion
First Report - Racism in the aid sector
Acknowledged
Some aid organisations are beginning to introduce measures to open up and encourage conversations about racism in their workplaces but much more needs to Racism in the aid sector 33 be done to welcome diverse ideas and values. These processes are likely to be painful and difficult and will take …
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Some aid organisations are beginning to introduce measures to open up and encourage conversations about racism in their workplaces but much more needs to Racism in the aid sector 33 be done to welcome diverse ideas and values. These processes are likely to be painful and difficult and will take courage on the part of leaders, managers, and staff to be open, honest and committed to change.
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Government response AI summary
The FCDO is committed to tackling racism in the sector, will continue to discuss the issues raised internally and with partners, and has developed a Race Toolkit to inform and educate on race issues.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
31
Recommendation
First Report - Racism in the aid sector
Acknowledged
Aid organisations, including private sector contractors, should publicly acknowledge that racism exists in the sector and prioritise anti-racism work that tackles the underlying culture of their workplaces and not just the racial diversity of their staff. This will include making space for open, honest and often difficult conversations. It also …
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Aid organisations, including private sector contractors, should publicly acknowledge that racism exists in the sector and prioritise anti-racism work that tackles the underlying culture of their workplaces and not just the racial diversity of their staff. This will include making space for open, honest and often difficult conversations. It also requires them to welcome ideas and approaches suggested by staff who are Black, Indigenous and People of Colour.
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Government response AI summary
The FCDO is committed to tackling racism and will continue to discuss the issues internally and with partners and stakeholders, and has developed a Race Toolkit.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
34
Conclusion
First Report - Racism in the aid sector
Acknowledged
The way that FCDO contracts are structured creates disincentives for implementing partners to hire local staff, particularly in project lead roles. While FCDO fee rates for locally hired staff may be linked to local pay-scales in humanitarian and development settings, they can lead to large inequalities when compared to internationally …
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The way that FCDO contracts are structured creates disincentives for implementing partners to hire local staff, particularly in project lead roles. While FCDO fee rates for locally hired staff may be linked to local pay-scales in humanitarian and development settings, they can lead to large inequalities when compared to internationally hired staff. This can undermine relations with local actors, damage trust and make frontline workers feel undervalued.
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Government response AI summary
The government describes how it assesses wages in categories (international, national or regional) and considers the importance and value of local knowledge.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
36
Conclusion
First Report - Racism in the aid sector
Acknowledged
The FCDO has significant convening power across the aid sector.
Government response AI summary
The FCDO recognizes its convening power and mentions establishing a small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) Advisory Forum to shape initiatives and policies impacting SMEs, as well as continuing to engage externally on race and racism in the aid sector.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
37
Conclusion
First Report - Racism in the aid sector
Acknowledged
It should use its position to facilitate sector-wide conversations about how aid actors can improve diversity, equity and inclusion and being anti-racist. The FCDO still has work to do internally and will not have all the answers, but it can create the forum for these conversations and provide the funding …
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It should use its position to facilitate sector-wide conversations about how aid actors can improve diversity, equity and inclusion and being anti-racist. The FCDO still has work to do internally and will not have all the answers, but it can create the forum for these conversations and provide the funding to develop best practice guidelines for its partners. The FCDO can also put stipulations on organisations that it funds to publish their diversity data and demonstrate the work they are undertaking to build truly inclusive workplaces. (Paragraph 97) 34 Racism in the aid sector
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Government response AI summary
The FCDO recognises the importance of being part of the conversation about diversity, equity and inclusion, continues to engage externally, and will use the SMEs Advisory Forum to understand and break down barriers to entry.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office