Posted on 14 August 2019
CID/PIANGO Discussion Paper
Author: Jacqueline Parisi
Link to PIANGO presentation (PDF)
Executive Summary:
In May 2019 the Council for International Development (CID), in partnership with the Pacific
Islands Association of Non-governmental Organisations (PIANGO), implemented a
Localisation Workshop to facilitate a localisation dialogue for CID members.
The outcomes of the Localisation Workshop indicate that at an intellectual, and ethical, level
the New Zealand international development sector understands the concept of localisation
and recognises it to be a consequence of the evolution of the international development
and humanitarian sectors. This, coupled with the fact that the Council for International
Development Annual survey of the Sector indicates that approximately 80% of CID members
have partnered with a Pacific partner, appears promising.
However, several blockages to progress exist resulting in a lack of momentum and little
urgency to substantially change operating models and behaviours. 64% of CID members
have not signed any localisation commitment. 49% of members have worked with local
partners on only 1-5 activities, and the traditional business model for international non
government organisations remains mostly unchanged. Members are also struggling to
establish baselines in order to measure progress.
The workshop outcomes highlight that the Australian Council for International Development
would like to work with Pacific Islands Association of Non-governmental Organisations and
Council for International Development to develop a Regional Roadmap for localisation
across the Pacific - a ‘Pacific Charter for Change’. Next steps are identified including:
collaborating with Australian Council for International Development and Pacific Islands
Association of Non-governmental Organisations to develop a regional Charter for Change;
exploring the potential for research with Humanitarian Advisory Group in New Zealand;
monitoring and evaluating New Zealand’s localisation activities; implementing a baseline
survey on CID members and their localisation work; establishing a CID/PIANGO Chief
Executive Officer group; finding ways to socialise the localisation agenda to partners and
potential donors; and establishing a New Zealand sector-wide working group to guide the
sector.