Decolonising the Future of Aid

The call but decolonise aid is no longer a whispered plea but a resonating demand. But what does this look like in practice? This session will examine how we can move beyond token commitments towards real, structural change in global development and humanitarian response.

It’s time to reimagine a model where priorities are defined locally, power is redistributed, and solidarity replaces charity. From leadership and governance to funding flows and capacity building, we’ll explore how true localisation can serve as a pathway to justice.

How do we shift from a donor-recipient dynamic to one rooted in mutual accountability, dignity, and equity? And how do we make this transformation a practice of change instead of just a theory?

IFC 2025 will feature five of these high-impact, immersive, and solution-focused Big Topic sessions designed to challenge our assumptions, kindle new ideas, and drive collective action. Outcomes from each session will feed into sector-wide recommendations, culminating in the IFC Manifesto for Change.

Speakers

Hani Almadhoun
Senior Director of Philanthropy, UNRWA USA
Alef Meulenberg
Founder, Rhiza and Fundraising for Impact
Alfredo Botti
Co-Founder & Executive Director, Argentina National Committee, UNHCR
Stigmata Tenga
Executive Director, Africa Philanthropy Network