Three months have passed since the Pathways to Power Symposium in London. The #ShiftThePower temporary tattoos that many of us wore with glee have long worn off. The “Manifesto for Change” tea towels – with nine points for building a future that is “negotiated, participatory and widely owned” – given to each participant are now scattered all over the world, some prominently displayed in offices, others busily drying the dishes at home.   The goals of the Symposium were always ambitious. We wanted to bring together a diverse group of a hundred people who were all involved – in one way or...

The "localization" of humanitarian aid is a topic which has gained traction in the humanitarian world; a move towards humanitarian responses which are designed, managed and coordinated by local people and organizations. What this means is essentially a shift in power; something discussed at the Pathways to Power Symposium.   The word "localization" might be new or alien to some, but the concept certainly isn’t. The argument is that for humanitarian aid to be effective, efficient, and relevant, more decision-making power needs to shift away from institutional donors, United Nations agencies, and international NGOs, to local people and organisations. Something talked about...