In November 2023, over 1800 Global South actors penned a letter with 5 principles to funders and convenors of international conferences on how to organise inclusive convenings on locally-led development.
This letter was born out of local actors lived experiences and a longstanding frustration of being effectively excluded from international conferences on locally-led development, and the humiliation of seeking access to a table that was allegedly designed for them. As of April 2024, 1826 Global South actors have signed the letter demanding a change and commitments from international partners. Since the letter's publication, 33 INGOs, networks and funders have pledged to improve their practices and commit to more inclusive and equitable processes. To effectively do so, they asked for concrete recommendations on how to implement the letter's principles.
CIVICUS, the Movement for Community-led Development (MCLD) and Peace Direct collaborated with the Global South signatories of the original letter to co-create a guidance document. This document compiles recommendations that convenors and funders should consider when planning events and conferences, especially those focused on locally-led development.
Download the Full Guidance Document
This document has been co-created by Global South actors and is owned by every participant involved in the process.
We invite more international conveners, INGOs and funders to publicly endorse and commit to the 5 principles in the spaces they organize or sponsor.
If you would like to stand in allyship with the Global South signatories, and commit to the five principles, please sign using the following forms:
