Living decoloniality

This episode is a bit of an exception, as it talks about coloniality, and decolonial practices, in the framework of a big international initiative: the WASH Agenda for Change.Listening to Bethlehem Mengistu and Susan Davis we will dive into the coloniality of power and what it means to decolonize governance, using the WASH Agenda for Change as a case study. With decades of leadership in international development, Bethlehem and Susan share insights on fostering collaborative systems, strengthening efforts, and challenging traditional power dynamics in global water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) initiatives. This conversation offers practical strategies for building more equitable and sustainable governance models in development work, but it also gives interesting insights on inclusion beyond tokenism and on feminist leadership. Sources: Agenda for ChangeFrom an implementing partnership with local NGOs to partnering with local government, Bethlehem MengistuImplementing Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)The link to the transcript is here

In this episode with Ammaarah Nilafdeen, a social researcher from Colombo, Sri Lanka, we critically examine the coloniality of language and the concept of ‘local’ in the process of "localization".With a strong critique of colonial frameworks and the recognition that language carries meanings that reveal power differentials, Ammaarah's ideas aim to challenge entrenched narratives. The transcript is here.Sources:SPOKEN TAMIL DIALECTS OF THE MUSLIMS OF SRI LANKA: LANGUAGE AS IDENTITY-CLASSIFIER, M. M. M. MAHROOFHow a unique Tamil dialect survived among a fishing community in Sri Lanka, Ajay KamalakaranColoniality and the ‘aid bubble’: Can language be a driver for change?, Carla VitantonioDeconstructing Decolonization: The Case of Language, Ammaarah NilafdeenThe relationship between Language and Neocolonialism - Carla Vitantonio

In this episode we welcome Michelle Lokot, an esteemed researcher and practitioner, to explore the coloniality of gender and how it intersects with monitoring and evaluation (M&E) in humanitarian contexts. Michelle shares practical tools for fostering decolonial approaches to M&E, drawing on her extensive experience in feminist research, GBV, and qualitative methods. As Co-Director of the Health in Humanitarian Crises Centre at LSHTM, Michelle brings unique insights into the power hierarchies shaping gender, forced migration, and humanitarian aid. With years of frontline experience in Jordan, Nigeria, and Burundi, and collaborations with agencies like UNICEF and IRC, Michelle’s expertise will challenge and inspire your perspective on humanitarian work. The link to the transcript is hereSources: Gani, J.K & Khan, R.M, Positionality Statements as a Function of Coloniality: Interrogating Reflexive MethodologiesLokot, M., Pichon, M., Kalichman, B., Nardella, S., Falconer, J., Kyegombe, N., & Buller, A. M., Decolonising the field of violence against women and girls: A scoping review and recommendations for research and programming.Lokot, M., Reflecting on Race, Gender and Age in Humanitarian-Led Research: Going Beyond Institutional to Individual Positionality.Lokot, M., Whose Voices? Whose Knowledge? A Feminist Analysis of the Value of Key Informant Interviews.Meger, S, The Fetishization of Sexual Violence in International Security.Zreik, T., El Masri, R., Chaar, S., Ali, R., Meksassi, B., Elias, J., & Lokot, M., Collaborative Coding in Multi-National Teams: Benefits, Challenges and Experiences Promoting Equitable Research.

In this episode of Living Decoloniality, we sit down with Dawit Taddele Dessie. Dawit considers himself a person who works to promote sustainable change. Currently, his interest is mainly focused on the intersection between technology and development. Dawit shares insights on how he is engaging in reshaping philanthropy in East Africa. We'll dive into his work at Project Tech for Development, the role of tech-enabled solutions in nonprofit work, and his vision for decolonizing philanthropy through long-term sustainability, data-driven insights, and strategic partnerships. He emphasizes that true decolonization must begin with a shift in mindset, transforming the way we think before we can reshape systems and institutionsSources: 3 ways to decolonize philanthropy right now, Geoffrey Thige, Jailan AdlyFunders must reckon with the true motivations of philanthropy if they want to decolonise, Laura Somoggi and Shivani Guptahttps://www.wildeganzen.org/https://kcdf.or.ke/Opinion: To truly walk the talk is to decolonize philanthropyDawit Taddele Dessie is a seasoned changemaker with over 15 years of experience driving transformative impact across diverse sectors. Currently, he is at the forefront of integrating technology into development through his role at Project Tech for Development, where he builds scalable and sustainable solutions, strengthens nonprofit tech capacity, and leverages open-source technology for the public good. Simultaneously, he serves as a strategic advisor to the East Africa Philanthropy Network, architecting an integrated ecosystem centered around three key pillars:Endowment/Pool Fund: Fostering long-term organizational sustainability through strategic fundraising and partnerships.Tech-Enabled Data Mapping Platform: Creating a comprehensive data-driven landscape of the East African philanthropic ecosystem.Technology Integration and Custom Tech Products: Empowering network members with innovative technology solutions to maximize impact.A skilled collaborator, Dawit excels at building bridges between diverse stakeholders to drive systemic change. With a keen ability to identify opportunities and translate vision into action. Passionate about harnessing collective intelligence, he seeks collaborative partnerships to build a more equitable and sustainable future.The transcript is here

This episode needs an introduction: we defend the spontaneity of podcasts and we think that linking professionality to the use of expensive technical means is yet one more attempt to keep power and resources in the hands of those few who can afford them.Nevertheless we are conscious that the sound of this episode is especially disturbing.Thank you for keeping supporting us, your support is our strength!Join us as we conclude the second season of this podcast. We explore the essence of decolonial practices, reflecting on our journey.We try to pull the threads of the practices discussed: reconnecting with nature, challenging binaries and imagining a more equitable future. What does it mean in a world where humanitarian and development actions are more needed than ever?What does it mean for people working in our sector? How can we practice decoloniality and remain relevant?Until next time, stay engaged, curious and decolonial.The transcript is available here.

Mara Tissera Luna, a polyglot international consultant with over a decade of expertise in protection and forced migration, delves into the critical intersection of inclusive research and societal engagement. Explore how Mara's unique blend of skills in social anthropology and public administration informs her work in addressing root causes and developing policies for displaced populations across Latin America, the US, and Europe. Discover the power of decentering knowledge hierarchies, amplifying marginalized voices, and fostering a more equitable world.The transcript is available hereSources: Mara Tissera Luna Epistemic decentering in education for responsibility: revisiting the theory and practice of educational integrityDecentering academia through critical unlearning in transdisciplinary knowledge production Possibilities and complexities of decolonising higher education: critical perspectives on praxisLiving Decoloniality, S01 E03- Adriana, Kewan and Viola

In this episode I address one of the implicit narratives of coloniality: the narrative that separates humans from nature, giving the firsts power over the second.I delve into the concept of 'coloniality of being' and its impact on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). In an insightful interview with two members of the Feminist Hiking Collective, I explore their research triggers, and learn how they rebel against colonial perspectives, and navigate the intersection of nature, humanity, and decoloniality.The transcript is available hereFHC - Feminist Hiking Collective is a feminist non-profit organisation formed in January 2020 and registered in Italy. Their aim is to contribute to transformative system change through feminist popular education, research and resource co-creation; and to build collective feminist leadership and power through hiking.Sources: A decolonial feminism All about powerAchieving Transformative Feminist Leadership Feminist Hiking Collective

In this episode I reflect on the journey of this podcast, drawing inspiration from my sabbatical in Florence to the streets of Havana.I recall the framework of the Colonial Matrix of Power, and I introduce the second season and its themes.We will dive into Coloniality of Being, Coloniality of Knowledge, and Coloniality of Gender in the aid sector.Embracing the concept of extrapolation, we move beyond sector boundaries.No longer limited to replicating practices, we explore diverse contexts, seeking inspiration from unconventional sources.Let’s challenge colonial structures and discover new possibilities.The transcript is available here Sources: Situated Knowledges: The Science Question in Feminism and the Privilege of Partial PerspectiveEpistemic Disobedience, Independent Thought and De-Colonial FreedomOn Decoloniality: Concepts, Analytics, PraxisColonialidad del poder, eurocentrismo y América LatinaThe Extrapolation Problem: How Can We Learn from the Experience of Others?