Event

International development is not neutral — it’s built on systems shaped by colonisation, racial hierarchy, and white dominance. Many UK-based INGOs continue to operate within these structures, often unconsciously upholding practices rooted in historical injustice. Others are increasingly aware of the faults in our system but struggle to know how to dismantle the harms persisting in our work.

In September, 18 people from across the UK Alliance networks joined together to participate in a workshop organised by Manju Patel-Nair from The Changemakers UK. It was a critical space to examine power and whiteness – both in the systems of international development and, where relevant, within ourselves as individuals.

This follow up event is an informal working group to reflect further on the urgent questions that emerged from the workshop. We know that the majority of people working in international development in the UK are racialised as white. How do we see white group identity and whiteness in the structures and processes of international development? How and where are we as individuals and organisations complicit? What does it mean to be part of the system while working to be actively anti-racist?

This working group is co-facilitated by SWIDN members and all are welcome. If you didn’t attend the Workshop but would like to join this Working Group, please email Hannah via hannah@swidn.org.uk