Care for the Future - Leadership Fellowship

Lead Research Organisation: UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
Department Name: History

Abstract

The agreed second phase of the AHRC Care for the Future Strategic Them will run from 1 October 2017 - 31 December 2019 to correspond with the lives of funded projects, to allow for continuation of planned and proposed activities, and to permit thorough evaluation of the theme.

The Theme will be jointly managed by the Theme Leadership Fellow, Prof Thompson, and Academic Co-ordinator, Prof French. They will be supported administratively by the Theme Programme Manager and part-time Administrator and strategically by the Advisory Board.

The Care for the Future Theme will continue all major activities particularly in the ECR, Public Policy, and Labex/International strands. The Theme will continue engagement with award holders and other key stakeholders and will continue to develop fruitful relationships with partners.

Planned Impact

Please refer to Case for Support
 
Description The research conducted through the award explores the legacy of the British Empire bringing the past, present and future into dialogue. One strand of ongoing research is providing a critical historical perspective on the history of humanitarian aid, development aid and human rights that has proved to be of strong interest to many international aid agencies, especially the International Committee of the Red Cross. The INGOs and the Long Humanitarian activity strand brings together humanities academics and International NGO leaders (from many of the UK's leading INGOs) to explore the challenges facing the sector and the barriers currently preventing change. The main outputs from this research have been the 'Leadership Survey Report' 2022 and the final report 'Who do you think you are? The past, present and future of international NGOs' 2023. (please see the URL below for links to both reports)

The Leadership Survey:
A unique and large-scale survey of INGO leadership Where 50 CEO's of INGOs were interviewed on their views about the purpose of their organisations, the challenges that they face, and their visions of the future. There are two key elements that make this report unique in its scope and ambition. First, there has been no comparable, cross-sector qualitative analysis of the mindset of INGO leaders on this scale. Secondly, there have been no studies of this size in which INGO leaders could offer such revealing reflections on their own sense of direction, their misgivings, and the opportunities and challenges that they have. With its emphasis on rich, qualitative data, recording the candid reflections of interviewees, the Leadership Survey offers a vivid picture. At a time of radical uncertainty in the world and great change for many INGOs, this survey gives an unprecedented 'peek behind the curtain,' showing what leaders of the major INGOs really think about the purpose of their organisations, the challenges they face, and their visions of the future.
The survey found a broad degree of agreement between leaders of INGOs as regards their visions for the sector and for their organisations. However, there is a general sense of uncertainty around the question of how to realise these visions. Externally, we found that:
• the formal aid and development system is being challenged by critiques of the perceived hegemony of the global North, and a more localised and inclusive sector is being championed both from within INGOs and by other actors
• despite speculation about the role of non-traditional actors, the global funding landscape is expected largely to stay the same (particularly in relation to the dominance of Western actors), although with fewer resources to go around
• INGOs are seen as being at risk of falling behind in using digital technology, which has become more important in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic
• climate change is seen as a critical disruptor that INGOs need to address, with a sense that greater collaboration is needed with climate-focused organisations.
Internally, we found that:
• the growth period for INGOs is largely seen to be coming to an end, yet the narrative that 'growth is good' remains entrenched in many organisations
* INGOs are all, to some extent, driven by their ability to access funding, and so are strongly influenced by the priorities of donors: while some are deciding to be more selective in where they receive money from, in the majority there is no consensus that such an approach is necessary or desirable
• most CEOs share a vision of a more localised humanitarian system, but a perceived lack of local actor capacity and concerns about risk and compliance are cited as barriers to this becoming a reality
• risk management and donor compliance are looming larger in leaders' minds, and taking up greater financial and personnel resources, and boards are largely prioritising risk management and compliance over change and innovation
• CEOs acknowledge that diversity is limited at all levels in the leadership of INGOs, though there is a growing emphasis on changing this, and some leaders feel that their staff (and they themselves) are restless, but that there is a lack of space and time for critical reflection.

INGOs and the Long Humanitarian Century:
Our emphasis has been on using history to shed light on the legacy bequeathed to the present leadership of international NGOs. We are living in a period in which many of them are asking whether they can continue in their existing form, but their way of thinking about the world and their place within it is shaped by their own pasts, which is why this historical perspective is so important.

In our research we have modelled a process of enquiry aimed at INGO leaders, along the following lines:
Do you understand your history, and what you originally set out to achieve as an organisation?
Have you remained true to your core values, and are you clear what they mean in practice in the changed context of the 21st century? Can you claim you still have a right to exist at all?
Are you able to see yourself as others see you, and if there is a gap, are you clear how you would close it?
What do you want to be now? Your future is in your hands, but you will certainly face some tough choices regarding:
• putting the people you are here to serve at the centre of your thinking
• how your sources of funding impact on your independence
• the way you partner with other actors
• the amount of 'control' you are prepared to relinquish
• which segment of the relief/ development 'continuum' you seek to occupy
• the message you need to convey to your core supporters.

The external challenges faced are too great for any one organisation to tackle independently. Collective action is required, for example to resist being instrumentalised by the very governments that support the INGOs. Are they able to work with others who share their values, and place effective collaboration ahead of competition? Finally, can they build this process of asking themselves challenging questions into the way they plan and manage their affairs in future?

We did not set out, nor have we attempted, to prescribe a 'one-size-fits-all' solution to the challenges that INGOs face, not least because INGOs vary so widely in terms of their size, mandates, and governance structures. But based on our research, we are confident that these are the key questions that INGO leaders need to answer if they are to remain relevant and play a useful role in the 21st century and beyond.
Exploitation Route Findings and publications as a result of the large-scale survey of INGO leadership and the final report have already been significant in enabling the sector to reflect on its past, present and future.

The leadership survey, has been the only one of its kind and provided valuable insights into current and future leaderships visions for the sector and the practical means of overcoming barriers to realising these visions.
The final summative project report, produced with input from the INGO leaders involved in the project, makes key recommendations for the aid and development sector, on geopolitics, digital technology, the impact of the Covid 19 pandemic, new social movements and the climate crisis, to help inform and shape the institutions' futures. The research also engages with other groups within the sector actively considering the INGO future such as BOND, a UK network for organisations working in international development, and also international, leading academics have been involved attending regular workshops and engaging in dialogue with the INGO leaders.

In addition to the two reports, other outputs will be an Edited Volume of abstracts on 'INGOs and the Long Humanitarian Century: Legacy, Legitimacy and Leading into the Future' and a book, contracted with Oxford University Press, written by Prof Thompson titled Humanitarianism on Trial: How a Global System of Aid, Development and Human Rights Emerged from the End of Empire.

This research has led on to funding of £1m being secured from the Oxford Martin School, Oxford, to continue looking at issues raised in a project looking at Changing Global Orders and has also enabled Prof Thompson to secure additional funding for two, three year post doctoral fellowships.

Following on from the launch, and at the invitation of the Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell MP, the formation of a new Humanitarian Forum, sponsored and supported by Nuffield College and the FCDO, is being established with the first meeting arranged later this year. It will provide an ongoing space for intellectual exchange and for the discussion of key issues relating to improvements in the global system for relief and development, demonstrating UK leadership in this area. It will be run by the team at Nuffield College in close partnership with the FCDO, with the two organisations working together to scope out the key themes for each plenary session and any supporting workshops, and to agree a list of participants and speakers for the plenary event. The aim would be to bring together leading researchers, policymakers and practitioners on matters of relief and development, and to bridge the academic and non-academic worlds. Its methodology and approach would build directly on the INGOs and the Long Humanitarian Century project. The research has also fed into a government White Paper on international development, setting out the government approach to international development to 2030.
This grant has already had an impressive impact on the international aid and humanitarian sector. The findings are being discussed at all levels from national and international NGOs to the United Nations and Government, but the research will not end there and its impact will continue for many years to come.
Sectors Communities and Social Services/Policy

Government

Democracy and Justice

Culture

Heritage

Museums and Collections

Other
URL https://www.nuffield.ox.ac.uk/our-research/selected-projects/international-ngos-and-the-long-humanitarian-century/
 
Description Findings and publications as a result of the large-scale survey of INGO leadership and the final report have already been significant in enabling the sector to reflect on its past, present and future. The leadership survey, has been the only one of its kind and provided valuable insights into current and future leaderships visions for the sector and the practical means of overcoming barriers to realising these visions. The final summative project report, produced with input from the INGO leaders involved in the project, makes key recommendations for the aid and development sector to help inform and shape the institutions' futures. The research also engages with other groups within the sector actively considering the INGO future such as BOND, a UK network for organisations working in international development, and also international, leading academics have been involved attending regular workshops and engaging in dialogue with the INGO leaders. Following the publication of both reports, Professors Andrew Thompson and Mike Aaronson and Dr Lia Brazil were invited to present their findings in person and online to senior leadership teams of International NGO organisations and the humanitarian sector - trustees, executive members, and regional and country directors. The overall response was that the results gave these organisations key areas to consider about the way they have operated in the past, the present and how they can ensure their futures. Externally, these areas are around geopolitics, digital technology, the impact of Covid-19, new social movements and the climate crises. Internally, the need to focus on localisation, funding and growth, the humanitarian market place, relief and development, risk and compliance, governance structures and being 'stuck'. The reports are being used at executive level and have been presented to institution's boards with recommendations to consider the findings and inform their futures. Having read the INGOs and the Long Humanitarian Century final report, Adama Dieng, former UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, forwarded the to António Guterres, UN Secretary General for his attention. In addition to the two reports, the research has generated other outputs that will be shortly realised; an Edited Volume of abstracts on 'INGOs and the Long Humanitarian Century: Legacy, Legitimacy and Leading into the Future' and a book written by Prof Thompson titled Humanitarianism on Trial: How a Global System of Aid, Development and Human Rights Emerged from the End of Empire due to be published in 2024. This research has led on to funding of £1m being secured from the Oxford Martin School, Oxford, to continue looking at issues raised in a project looking at Changing Global Orders and has also enabled Prof Thompson to secure additional funding for two, three year post doctoral fellowships. Following on from the launch, and at the invitation of the Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell MP, the formation of a new Humanitarian Forum, sponsored and supported by Nuffield College and the FCDO, is now established with the first meeting held in January 2024. It provides an ongoing space for intellectual exchange and for the discussion of key issues relating to improvements in the global system for relief and development, demonstrating UK leadership in this area. It is run by Prof Thompson at Nuffield College in close partnership with the FCDO, with the two organisations working together to scope out the key themes for each plenary session and any supporting workshops, and to agree a list of participants and speakers for the plenary event. It is Co-Chaired by the Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell MP and Baroness Valerie Amos and the aim is to bring together leading researchers, policymakers and practitioners on matters of relief and development, and to bridge the academic and non-academic worlds. Its methodology and approach would build directly on the INGOs and the Long Humanitarian Century project. The research has also fed into a government White Paper on international development, setting out the government approach to international development to 2030. The Leadership Report has been read by and presented to INGOs and aid agencies across the world, including the United Nations. It has been used by the leaders and the aid and development sector to inform their future structures and planning, and has generated a lot of interest in the project and its findings. The final report for the project was launched on the 6th July 2023 at Nuffield College Oxford, with a key note speech from Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell, Minister of State for International Development and Africa, and Chaired by Baroness Valerie Amos. In attendance were 30 representatives from leading NGOs, policy makers, think tanks, private foundations, and academics working in the field of humanitarianism and development. Prof Thompson and Prof Aaronson have since made presentations to individual NGO's including Save the Children and the British Red Cross. In September 2023, Prof Andrew Thompson was invited by the United Nations Development Program's (UNDP) Administrator, Achim Steiner, to present the final report to the UNDP Executive Board. Pedro Conceição Director of the Human Development Report Office, UNDP described the attendance at the presentation as 'UN royalty' with over 30 attending in person and 9 online, including the Directors of the Regional Bureaus for Asia & the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, the Arab States, Head of Policy, Knowledge, and Partnerships in the Crisis Bureau, Senior Policy Specialists and Advisors and well as the Head of Strategic Planning and the Director of the Ethics Office. The work on this grant has also led to Prof Andrew Thompson being invited, by former Prime Minister Theresa May, to be a commissioner on the Global Commission of Modern Slavery, Chaired. Prof Thompson is leading the Commission workstream on Civil Society in Crisis Contexts. This grant has already had an impressive impact on the international aid and humanitarian sector. The findings are being discussed at all levels from national and international NGOs to the United Nations and Government, but the research will not end there and its impact will continue for many years to come. The work continues: the community that the programme has created is ongoing and much remains to be done, both within individual organisations and collectively, if INGOs are to hold true to their founding values while being effective and relevant in a fast-changing world. We believe that it is vital that they do so: millions of vulnerable people around the world continue to need the kinds of support and commitment that INGOs, over more than a century, have been able to provide.
First Year Of Impact 2021
Sector Communities and Social Services/Policy,Other
Impact Types Cultural

Societal

Policy & public services
 
Description Evidence to the Windrush Lessons Learned Committee
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
 
Description INGOS and the Long Humanitarian Century: influence as a result of the findings in the final report
Geographic Reach Multiple continents/international 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to new or improved professional practice
 
Description NGOs in Turbulent Times
Geographic Reach Multiple continents/international 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
 
Description Presented initial findings of Leadership Survey at Disasters Emergency Committee away day
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
 
Description Contested Heritage Series 
Organisation Historic England
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution A series of workshops developed around the theme of Contested Heritage and the legacies of empire on museums and the heritage sector. Working with the research departments at the V&A and Tate Britain, Care for the Future have co-developed a series of workshops exploring past, present and future engagements with issues of repatriation and restitution, spoliation, provenance, display and interpretation, and diversity within the museum and heritage sector.
Collaborator Contribution Three principle partners in this programme have contributed their expertise to the formation of the programme. Co-developed with staff from research institutes as well as curatorial, and education and outreach staff, our partners have helped to populate this programme and identify concrete outcomes that wish to see adopted as best practice and embedded into the museum sector's response to the complexity of contested heritage.
Impact - Furthering conversations between museum sector and academics on the subject of Contested Heritage and the treatment of legacies of colonialism in the nation's museums, galleries and wider heritage sector. - The workshop was referenced in The Telegraph, 1st January 2019, 'UK museums task staff with identifying "stolen" collections'. - Following the exhibition curatorial staff at the V&A curated a display on 'Concealed Histories: Uncovering the Story of Nazi Looting' which confronts the issues of contested provenance - in this instance theft by the Nazi party.
Start Year 2018
 
Description Contested Heritage Series 
Organisation Tate Britain
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution A series of workshops developed around the theme of Contested Heritage and the legacies of empire on museums and the heritage sector. Working with the research departments at the V&A and Tate Britain, Care for the Future have co-developed a series of workshops exploring past, present and future engagements with issues of repatriation and restitution, spoliation, provenance, display and interpretation, and diversity within the museum and heritage sector.
Collaborator Contribution Three principle partners in this programme have contributed their expertise to the formation of the programme. Co-developed with staff from research institutes as well as curatorial, and education and outreach staff, our partners have helped to populate this programme and identify concrete outcomes that wish to see adopted as best practice and embedded into the museum sector's response to the complexity of contested heritage.
Impact - Furthering conversations between museum sector and academics on the subject of Contested Heritage and the treatment of legacies of colonialism in the nation's museums, galleries and wider heritage sector. - The workshop was referenced in The Telegraph, 1st January 2019, 'UK museums task staff with identifying "stolen" collections'. - Following the exhibition curatorial staff at the V&A curated a display on 'Concealed Histories: Uncovering the Story of Nazi Looting' which confronts the issues of contested provenance - in this instance theft by the Nazi party.
Start Year 2018
 
Description Contested Heritage Series 
Organisation Victoria and Albert Museum
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution A series of workshops developed around the theme of Contested Heritage and the legacies of empire on museums and the heritage sector. Working with the research departments at the V&A and Tate Britain, Care for the Future have co-developed a series of workshops exploring past, present and future engagements with issues of repatriation and restitution, spoliation, provenance, display and interpretation, and diversity within the museum and heritage sector.
Collaborator Contribution Three principle partners in this programme have contributed their expertise to the formation of the programme. Co-developed with staff from research institutes as well as curatorial, and education and outreach staff, our partners have helped to populate this programme and identify concrete outcomes that wish to see adopted as best practice and embedded into the museum sector's response to the complexity of contested heritage.
Impact - Furthering conversations between museum sector and academics on the subject of Contested Heritage and the treatment of legacies of colonialism in the nation's museums, galleries and wider heritage sector. - The workshop was referenced in The Telegraph, 1st January 2019, 'UK museums task staff with identifying "stolen" collections'. - Following the exhibition curatorial staff at the V&A curated a display on 'Concealed Histories: Uncovering the Story of Nazi Looting' which confronts the issues of contested provenance - in this instance theft by the Nazi party.
Start Year 2018
 
Description Governing Humanitarianism - Past, Present and Future 
Organisation Leibniz Association
Department Leibniz Institute of European History
Country Germany 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Collaborated with colleagues at University of Cologne and Leibniz-Institute of European History, Mainz to secure €100,000 Euros of funding from the Volkswagen Foundation to host a 3-day conference for academics, practitioners and policy makers on the theme of Governing Humanitarianism. Due to the Covid-1 pandemic, the conference was pushed back to summer 2022 and a digital event took place in summer 2021 as a feeder event for the main in-person conference the following year. The conference interrogated present issues and future directions for global humanitarian governance in relation to its pasts, highlighting lessons to be learned from historical events and practices. It asked if humanitarian expansion has come at the expense of core values and effective intervention, and how the pursuit of global equity and social justice can, and has been pursued through shifting global and local power structures.
Collaborator Contribution Colleagues at the University of Cologne and the Leibniz-Institute of European History led on the funding application to Volkswagen Foundation and the aspects of the discussions taking place in German. The Herrenhausen Conference sought to bridge the various gaps between disciplines, scholarship and practice as well as the national, international and global spheres of analysis. It actively involved early career scholars and established academics with leading members from the field of international action in the debate on the past, present, and future of global humanitarian governance
Impact This multi-disciplinary conference brought together academics working in the fields of humanitarianism, history, human rights, NGOs, politics, and law, with practitioners and policy-makers from the world's leading international NGOs and policy organisations.
Start Year 2019
 
Description Governing Humanitarianism - Past, Present and Future 
Organisation University of Cologne
Country Germany 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Collaborated with colleagues at University of Cologne and Leibniz-Institute of European History, Mainz to secure €100,000 Euros of funding from the Volkswagen Foundation to host a 3-day conference for academics, practitioners and policy makers on the theme of Governing Humanitarianism. Due to the Covid-1 pandemic, the conference was pushed back to summer 2022 and a digital event took place in summer 2021 as a feeder event for the main in-person conference the following year. The conference interrogated present issues and future directions for global humanitarian governance in relation to its pasts, highlighting lessons to be learned from historical events and practices. It asked if humanitarian expansion has come at the expense of core values and effective intervention, and how the pursuit of global equity and social justice can, and has been pursued through shifting global and local power structures.
Collaborator Contribution Colleagues at the University of Cologne and the Leibniz-Institute of European History led on the funding application to Volkswagen Foundation and the aspects of the discussions taking place in German. The Herrenhausen Conference sought to bridge the various gaps between disciplines, scholarship and practice as well as the national, international and global spheres of analysis. It actively involved early career scholars and established academics with leading members from the field of international action in the debate on the past, present, and future of global humanitarian governance
Impact This multi-disciplinary conference brought together academics working in the fields of humanitarianism, history, human rights, NGOs, politics, and law, with practitioners and policy-makers from the world's leading international NGOs and policy organisations.
Start Year 2019
 
Description History of Slavery in the City of London 
Organisation Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution This body of work has evolved from informal conversations with the global law firm, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, exploring the role of the City of London (primarily law and financial firms) with the Transatlantic slave trade. Professor Andrew Thompson has acted as an external historical adviser to the firm's internal research team commenting on archival findings. Working with a postdoctoral researcher (see contribution made my partner), a series of seminars are planned over 3 years bringing together academics and senior figures from the City institutions i.e. Bank of England, Goldsmiths, Freshfields, to explore the historic legacy of the transatlantic slave trade.
Collaborator Contribution In response to the consultancy role performed by prof. Andrew Thompson, Freshfields provided funding for a three-year postdoctoral researcher to be based at the University of Oxford exploring the History of Slavery in the City of London. Dr Hunter Harris was appointed to this role, with experience of economic history and its relationship with the Transatlantic slave trade.
Impact Prof. Andrew Thompson presented two 'all-staff' talks at Freshfields Bruckhause Deringer during Black History Month UK (October 2020) and Black History Month USA (February 2021). The nature of these talks was to address the links to slavery in the firms history and to encourage conversations around EDI. The funding obtained for the three-year postdoctoral researcher, Dr Hunter Harris, has furthered this work and produced a number of outcomes including a s 'Global and Imperial History Research Seminar' series, with key institutions within the City and academic publications. Dr Harris' research has formed the basis for a book tentatively titled @salvery's Capital'. The book traces the connection between the City of London and the slave economy from the end of the seventeenth century up to 1807, the year Britain abolished its transatlantic slave trade. In the eighteenth century, Britain's "Financial Revolution" took hold and transformed the state and society. In addition to following the money made from slavery, this book pursues the actions and activities that contributed the slavery's growth and perpetuation. Dr Harris will present papers from this work at seminars in Oxford and at a conference to be held at Lloyd's of London in November 2023. Dr Harris also organised a conference on 'Slavery, Institutions, and Empire: Moving Beyond Microhistory' and raised £10,000 from the Global History of Capitalism Project. Held in September 2023, the conference brought together approximately 25 scholars from four countries to discuss recent work on Britain's historical involvement with slavery, the implications of that work for contemporary institutions, and how these individual histories can be integrated into wider arguments and historiographical narratives. Dr Harris secured a contract to publish a monograph from this work with the Omohundro Institute and the UNC Press, the most prestigious press in the field of early American history. The manuscript is due to be delivered to the publishers in January 2025. Another paper arising from this project was submitted to the William & Mary Quarterly and received a positive R&R. This paper uses commercial law to investigate the structure of the British Empire, and the relationship between its constituent elements in Britain, the Atlantic basin, and in India. An article was also published in the American Journal of Legal History on the Scots law of bills of exchange and debt enforcement in the eighteenth century. Following this paper's publication, Dr Harris was invited to contribute a chapter to a three-volume edited collection, The Development of Commercial Law in Scotland, under contract with Edinburgh University Press.
Start Year 2020
 
Description INGOs and the Long Humanitarian Century 
Organisation University of Oxford
Department Nuffield College
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution A research programme in collaboration with Nuffield College, University of Oxford. The programme is led by Professor Andrew Thompson and Professor Sir Mike Aaronson (Honorary Fellow, Nuffield College). Acknowledging the crises facing the humanitarian aid sector, the programme seeks to identify the characteristics of a successful INGO in the year 2030. It is intended that the programme will culminate with a Nuffield commissioned report on the future of International NGOs. A substantial aspect of this programme is a survey of INGO leadership being conducted with support from Save the Children UK. The survey consists of interviews with CEOs of the major British-led INGos on their visions for the future of the sector and the barriers currently impeding widespread change. A second phase will seek to obtain an inter-generational perspective capturing the visions for the future of those likely to transition into leadership roles in the next 5-15 years.
Collaborator Contribution Nuffield College have hosted the workshops and are working with Professor Andrew Thompson and Professor Sir Mike Aaronson to fund and recruit a postdoctoral researcher to further the academic rigour of the programme. Nuffield College have awarded funding for three-year postdoctoral researcher to support the academic research being undertaken by the programme. Dr Lia Brazil was apointed at interview in February 2021 and will start her new role on the 1st May 2021.
Impact - Two workshops have taken place at Nuffield College, Oxford bringing together senior practitioners, policy makers and academics within the field of humanitarianism and the aid sector to discuss the identify the characteristics of the future successful NGO and the barriers that exist preventing change. - Since the onset of the Covid-19 global pandemic, we have maintained momentum by holding quarterly workshops online. These have ensured that the programme continues to gain traction with key stakeholders and develop its visibility with membership of the group expanding. - The large-scale survey of INGOs, undertaken with support from Save the Children UK, will be a key output of the project. Initial results are expected to be published in summer 2021 with a sector-facing report. Phase 2 of the survey will take place during autumn/winter 2021 with a final report published in spring/summer 2022.
Start Year 2019
 
Description Politics, Humanitarianism, and Children's Rights: Save the Children Centenary Conference 
Organisation London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London)
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Prof Thompson collaborated with Save the Children, the University of Sheffield and the LSE to set up a conference to celebrate 100 years of Save the Children, titled 'POLITICS, HUMANITARIANISM, AND CHILDREN'S RIGHTS' on the 8th & 9th April 2019. This conference brought scholars together with past and present Save the Children staff, as well as others who have witnessed the organisation's relief operations. With panels examining key moments in Save the Children's history, and workshops exploring key themes that cut across the different periods, the conference not only celebrated the organisation's successes, but also looked critically at its shortcomings using the assumption that understanding history is as much about looking forward as looking back Professor Andrew Thompson sat on the Advisory Committee for the organisation of this centenary conference and has done so since May 2018. He presented a paper during the conference on 'Decolonisation and Development' on Monday 8th April 2019.
Collaborator Contribution Partners have collaborated to craft an extensive 2 day conference connecting academics, policy makers, past and present Save the Children employees, and'witnesses' who have first-hand experience of engagement with the agency 'on the ground'.
Impact This conference took place on the 8th and 9th April 2019. An intended outcome was to contribute to current debates on the future of humanitarian aid, and to contribute to the strategic discussions of Save the Children and other humanitarian agencies. A report from the conference can be found here: https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/content/dam/gb/reports/policy/politics-humanitarian-conference-report.pdf
Start Year 2018
 
Description Politics, Humanitarianism, and Children's Rights: Save the Children Centenary Conference 
Organisation Save the Children
Department Humanitarian Affairs Team
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Prof Thompson collaborated with Save the Children, the University of Sheffield and the LSE to set up a conference to celebrate 100 years of Save the Children, titled 'POLITICS, HUMANITARIANISM, AND CHILDREN'S RIGHTS' on the 8th & 9th April 2019. This conference brought scholars together with past and present Save the Children staff, as well as others who have witnessed the organisation's relief operations. With panels examining key moments in Save the Children's history, and workshops exploring key themes that cut across the different periods, the conference not only celebrated the organisation's successes, but also looked critically at its shortcomings using the assumption that understanding history is as much about looking forward as looking back Professor Andrew Thompson sat on the Advisory Committee for the organisation of this centenary conference and has done so since May 2018. He presented a paper during the conference on 'Decolonisation and Development' on Monday 8th April 2019.
Collaborator Contribution Partners have collaborated to craft an extensive 2 day conference connecting academics, policy makers, past and present Save the Children employees, and'witnesses' who have first-hand experience of engagement with the agency 'on the ground'.
Impact This conference took place on the 8th and 9th April 2019. An intended outcome was to contribute to current debates on the future of humanitarian aid, and to contribute to the strategic discussions of Save the Children and other humanitarian agencies. A report from the conference can be found here: https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/content/dam/gb/reports/policy/politics-humanitarian-conference-report.pdf
Start Year 2018
 
Description Politics, Humanitarianism, and Children's Rights: Save the Children Centenary Conference 
Organisation University of Sheffield
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Prof Thompson collaborated with Save the Children, the University of Sheffield and the LSE to set up a conference to celebrate 100 years of Save the Children, titled 'POLITICS, HUMANITARIANISM, AND CHILDREN'S RIGHTS' on the 8th & 9th April 2019. This conference brought scholars together with past and present Save the Children staff, as well as others who have witnessed the organisation's relief operations. With panels examining key moments in Save the Children's history, and workshops exploring key themes that cut across the different periods, the conference not only celebrated the organisation's successes, but also looked critically at its shortcomings using the assumption that understanding history is as much about looking forward as looking back Professor Andrew Thompson sat on the Advisory Committee for the organisation of this centenary conference and has done so since May 2018. He presented a paper during the conference on 'Decolonisation and Development' on Monday 8th April 2019.
Collaborator Contribution Partners have collaborated to craft an extensive 2 day conference connecting academics, policy makers, past and present Save the Children employees, and'witnesses' who have first-hand experience of engagement with the agency 'on the ground'.
Impact This conference took place on the 8th and 9th April 2019. An intended outcome was to contribute to current debates on the future of humanitarian aid, and to contribute to the strategic discussions of Save the Children and other humanitarian agencies. A report from the conference can be found here: https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/content/dam/gb/reports/policy/politics-humanitarian-conference-report.pdf
Start Year 2018
 
Description Survey of International NGO Leadership 
Organisation Save the Children UK
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution 'Care for the Future' was the project lead on this joint-undertaking surveying the leaders of international NGOs on their lived realities of leading aid and development organisations and their visions for the future of the sector. The Care for the Future team led on the design and implementation of the project including obtaining ethical approval, oversight of the project, and delivery of a written report summarising findings.
Collaborator Contribution Save the Children UK contributed 3 members of staff to support with the design, implementation, and delivery of the project on an ad-hoc basis. Save the Children UK were involved in the interviewing process and analysis of data, and were joint-authors of the report.
Impact A report summarising findings of this large-scale study was published in Summer 2022. The Report is aimed at the aid and development sector and those involved in policy making.
Start Year 2020
 
Description Humanitarian Photojournalism: A History of the Present 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Invited to contribute to a workshop at Princeton University (October 2018) on Humanitarian Photojournalism. Attended by 20 Historians, art historians, critics, and photojournalists.
Presentations were made to begin addressing such questions as: What were the connections between the rising importance of photo-reportage and the rise of global humanitarianism? Were they allies, enemies, or simply coincidences? Can the relationship have had a history, connected to European decolonization, to development, and to shifting practices of visual production and circulation in the global media?
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL https://www.princeton.edu/events/2018/workshop-humanitiarian-photojournalism-history-present
 
Description Humanitarianism on Trial: The ICRC during and after decolonization 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Professor Andrew Thompson was the invited keynote speaker at 'Histories of the Red Cross Movement since 1919' which took place at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Geneva on the 13-14th June 2019. The conference was attended by academics working in the field of human rights, NGOs, and humanitarianism along with practitioners and policy makers.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Humanitarianism on Trial: The ICRC during and after decolonization - Peking University, China 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Professor Thompson gave a guest lecture at Peking University, China on the 4th December 2019. The lecture - the subject of which informs his forthcoming book on Humanitarianism and Human Rights during decolonization - was given to an audience of undergraduate, postgraduate and faculty members at the University. Professor Thompson has been invited to return in 2020 to present a follow-on lecture at Peking University.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description INGOs and the Long Humanitarian Century Final Report Launch - 'Who do you think you are?': Legacy, Legitimacy & Leading into the Future 6th July 2023 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact The final report for the INGOs and the Long Humanitarian Century project was launched on the 6th July 2023 at a major conference at Oxford's Nuffield College. Chaired by Baroness Valerie Amos and presented by Professors Andrew Thompson and Sir Mike Adamson, Andrew Mitchell MP, Minister of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office gave a key note speech to the audience which will included heads of leading Aid Agencies, senior academics, policymakers and the media.
Baroness Amos noted that 'as the world changes and power dynamics shift globally, to continue to deliver on their objectives international NGO's need to evolve and adapt. Leadership is critical to understanding and responding to these shifts, ensuring effective and consistent response with people at the heart. This report, with its historical perspective, provides important learning for the future. It is essential reading.'
Emerging from a series of workshops with INGO leaders, and a sector-wide leadership survey, the report sets out the multiple challenges currently faced by INGOs. In addition to shifts in the geo-political world, they are facing difficulties raising funds, and the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on their international activity. But the report also asks if they will continue to be relevant and legitimate in the face of new campaigning social movements and also the urgency of addressing climate change.
While setting out the challenges, the report calls for Governments and international organisations to examine their role in supporting INGOs to remain relevant and effective. And it concludes, 'Now is the time for INGO leaders to refocus on the founding purposes of their organisations, to reassert their ideals and update their missions to take account of present realities, so that they can better meet the needs of the world's most vulnerable people.'
After the presentation there was an in-depth discussion on the findings with many of the leading NGOs commenting that the results of the report are to be followed up within their organisations. In particular Salah Saeed CEO of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) said that the report will be presented at the next DEC Board Meeting to continue the discussion internally and look at ways of actioning the findings.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2023-07-06-aid-agencies-watershed-charities-need-show-they-are-fit-purpose...
 
Description INGOs and the Long Humanitarian Century: Final Report presentation to the British Red Cross 20th October 2023 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact Prof Andrew Thompson gave a presentation to XXXXXX

As we move into our international strategy process early next year this session was so well timed
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description INGOs and the Long Humanitarian Century: Final Report presentation to the Save the Children International CEO Forum in Copenhagen 4th October 2023 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact In October, Prof Andrew Thompson was invited by the Deputy CEO of Save the Children to attend a two-day workshop on the future of their movement attended by 30 of Save the Children's international CEOs. Prof Thompson was interviewed by one of the CEOs for 20 minutes about insights from the INGOs Leadership Survey and Final Report, as well as his reflections on the future role and relevancy of INGOs like Save the Children. This was then followed by a Q&A session. The audience appreciated the opportunity to hear how other leaders in the sector are tackling the same challenges, as well as how these challenges fit into a broader geopolitical and historical landscape and the implications of these trends for their organisation.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description INGOs and the Long Humanitarian Century: Leadership Survey presentation to CAFOD (Catholic Aid Agency) 24th February 2023 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact Prof Thompson and post doctoral research fellow Lia Brazil, presented the findings of the INGOs Leadership Survey to the NGO CAFOD (Catholic Aid Agency). CAFOD is an international development charity who reach out to people living in poverty with practical help, whatever their religion or culture. CAFOD is the official aid agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales and part of Caritas International. There were 89 attendees including the CEO, CFO, Chair of the Trustees, Directors of Finance, Global Operations & Executive Directors of CAFOD as well as invited CEO's, Directors and Executives of other international agencies such as UNICEF, the Disasters Emergency Committee, Oxfam, the British Council, Save the Children, Water Aid, Islamic Relief and CROWE Zimbabwe
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description INGOs and the Long Humanitarian Century: Leadership Survey presentation to NGO Medair, Switzerland on the 25th October 2022 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact Prof Andrew Thompson presented the findings of the Leadership Survey to Medair, Switzerland in October 2022. Medair is an impartial, independent, and neutral humanitarian organisation inspired by Christian faith to save lives and relieve human suffering in the world's most difficult-to-reach and devastated places . There were approximately 50 attendees from the organisation, including the CEO . After the presentation there was a Q&A session where the attendees and Prof Thompson had more indepth discussions about the findings that had resonated the most. They had a group discussion on the ways in which the findings affect the organisation and what they need to do to adapt and change in the face of the recent global shocks and their relevance as an NGO today.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description INGOs and the Long Humanitarian Century: Leadership Survey presentation to NGO World Vision, Milton Keynes 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact Prof Thompson and Dr Lia Brazil presented the INGOS Leadership Survey Report to the Strategic and Operational Leadership Teams (approximately 30 people plus the CEO) at World Vision UK in Milton Keynes in January 2023. Inspired Christian faith, World Vision help children - of all faiths and none - in some of the world's most dangerous places, across almost 100 countries.
The results of the research were presented followed by a Q&A on the ways in which these findings affect the NGO. A discussion then took place around what World Vision need to do to adapt and change in the face of the global shocks experienced and their relevance as an NGO today. The group reported that the Leadership Survey allowed us to see where the organisation is in a complex operating environment and that the report gave a good perspective of the role of FBOs across a number of northern NGOs. They reported that it was good to hear from an external source that they are not alone in many of the challenges they face and that they realise there are areas that need further discussion and implementation within the organisation such as digital technology, as their is a risk of falling behind; whether they are becoming 'irrelevant' - seen as 'middle aged' 'stuckness' especially for younger & diaspora.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description INGOs and the Long Humanitarian Century: Leadership Survey presentation to Oxfam, 27 Sept 2022 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact Presented the Leadership Survey to the Strategic and Operational Leadership Teams (approximately 30 people plus the CEO) to Oxfam at Oxford in September 2022. The results from the report were presented and a discussion followed. The organisation agreed with the findings and felt future discussions within the organisation would be needed to look at the perception of relevance and future planning, and what they need to do to adapt and change in the face of the global shocks experienced and their relevance as an NGO today.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description INGOs and the Long Humanitarian Century: Leadership Survey presentation to Plan UK Trustee Board, 1st October 2022 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact Presented the Leadership Survey to the Plan International UK Trustee Board (approximately 20 including the CEO) . The results from the survey were presented, followed by a Q&A. The discussion that followed was about looking at areas where changes could be made, whether NGO organisations should be more collaborative. There was agreement that NGOs need to adapt and change in the face of the results from the survey and that further internal discussion was needed.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description INGOs and the Long Humanitarian Century: Leadership Survey presentation to the NGO Coordination SUD, France 24th September 2022 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact Presented the Leadership Survey to Coordination SUD, France online (approximately 30 attendees including the CEO). Prof Andrew Thompson presented the results from the report and discussed ways in which these affect NGOs. The audience had many questions and this led on to further discussions around what could be done internally and collaboratively to ensure the organisation's relevance and future standing.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description INGOs and the Long Humanitarian Century: Leadership Survey presentation to the NGO InterAction 4th May 2022 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact Presentation of the Leadership Survey online to the NGO 'InterAction' based in USA.
Interaction USA were founded in 1984, and are the largest U.S. based alliance of international NGOs and partners. Prof Andrew Thompson presented the results from the report to approximately 20 employees followed by a discussion on the ways in which the findings may affect the organisation and how they need to do to adapt and change in the face of the global shocks experienced and their relevance as an NGO today.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Presentation of INGOs and the Long Humanitarian Century Final Report to the United Nations Development Program Executive Committee, New York 27th September 2023 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact Professor Andrew Thompson was invited by Achim Steiner, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), to the UNDP headquarters in New York to present the final report of the International NGOs and the Long Humanitarian Century project. The report, titled Who do you think you are? The past, present, and future of international NGOs, was presented to 38 of the UNDP's Regional Directors, senior executives and policy developers. Professor Thompson suggested that INGOs are now at a turning point: they need to make some hard choices about who they want to be. To do that they will have to get to grips with the nature of the challenges presented by the climate crisis; by the pandemic; and by geopolitical upheaval.
The presentation was 30 minutes long followed by a 90 minute discussion on the findings. Prof Thompson has been invited back in January 2024 to further discuss the report's findings with the Executive Board. The audience for this presentation was described as 'UN royalty' by Pedro Conceicao, Director of the UNDP Human Development Report Office, including the Under Secretary General for Policy, Executive Office of the Secretary-General, the Head of New York Office, UN Environment Programme, the Chief, Policy Development & Studies Branch, OCHA and Head of Office for the USG for Policy, Executive Office of the Secretary-General, as well as International Regional Directors and Chief Executives. The report has also been given to the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres by Adama Dieng, the former UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Presentation of the Leadership Survey report from the 'INGOs and the Long Humanitarian Century' project to CROWE UK 24th February 2023 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact Having read the Leadership Survery Report, CROWE UK invited Professor Andrew Thompson & Dr Lia Brazil to give an online presentation at their 2023 INGO Conference. The 45 minute presentation was followed by a 2 hour Q&A session, with an audience of 85 online. CROWE UK is the UK member firm of a global network of firms providing audit and consulting services. They are the leading providers of audit services to the Charity Sector and work with about 150 INGOs. The attendees came from a wide range of INGOs, including WWF, OXFAM, Save the Children and Christian Aid, and also from a broad spectrum of individuals from Trustees, CEOs, finance professionals and some HR professionals. The conference titled 'Managing INGOs through uncertainty: rebuild, rebalance, renew' looking at the challenges from the 'permacrisis' around shifting wealth patterns, developments in technology, a new age of philanthropic giving, economic pressures and recession to continued significant political challenges and how INGOs fit into these emerging trends now and and crucially how they remain relevant in this new world order.
Discussion fell around the shift in wealth patterns, the shift in world power, governments in the global North are reducing their ODA budgets or using them in different ways and that low and middle income countries becoming more demanding in their tax and other regulatory legislation for INGOs and more focused on the balance of power.

The report resonated with what CROWE hear from their clients and contacts in the sector and they agreed with the findings that there is "a general sense of uncertainty around the question of how to realise these visions" and to enact the required changes. The presentation and the report provoked deeper thinking on these broader matters and the need for them to explore what INGOs are doing around these matters in terms of more practical thinking.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Presentation of the final report from the 'INGOs and the Long Humanitarian Century' project to BOND -13th September 2023 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact Prof Sir Mike Aaronson presented the findings of the Final Report to BOND staff and its members. BOND is the UK network for organisations working in international development who connect, strengthen and champion a dynamic network of diverse civil society organisations to help eradicate global poverty, inequality and injustice. Bond was founded in 1993 with 61 members and unites over 400 organisations, ranging from small specialist charities to large international NGOs with a worldwide presence. Prof Aaronson gave a 30 minute presentation online followed by a Q&A with members of the BOND network as well as staff from policy, advocacy, communications, funding. The group welcomed the findings and will take these forward in their internal discussions for future strategy.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Presentation of the initial findings of Leadership Survey at Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Away Day 2021 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact Professor Andrew Thompson was invited to to be the main event at the present the annual Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) away day and to present the initial findings of the International NGOs Leadership Survey. The DEC brings together 15 leading UK aid charities to raise funds quickly and efficiently at times of crisis overseas. The DEC is made up of 15 member charities who are experts in humanitarian aid and specialise in different areas of disaster response. They come together to speak in one voice and make fundraising more efficient when we launch an appeal. The away day was attended by the CEOs of the DEC member charities i.e. Save the Children UK, British Red Cross, Oxfam GB. Prof Thompson gave a 30 minute presentation which was then followed by an in depth discussion with the CEOs.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description What Happened to Humanitarianism During Decolonization? 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact A public lecture presented at the National Chuchill Library Centre, The George Washington University, USA. Presentation of this lecture furthered an international partnership with the GW History Department.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
URL https://calendar.gwu.edu/what-happened-humanitarianism-during-decolonization
 
Description Yves Daccord (Executive Chairman of the Edgelands Institute & Former CEO of the International Committee of the Red Cross) 'Can international humanitarian organisations adapt to face the challenges of this century?' 6th March 2023. 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Yves Daccord, co-chair of the International Advisory Board for the INGOs project and Visiting Fellow and former Director General of the International Committee of the Red Cross, was special guest speaker at the Oxford Martin School on Monday 6 March 2023. Following on from the publication of the Leadership Survey in July 2022, M Daccord delivered a thought-provoking lecture on the topic 'Can international humanitarian organisations adapt to face the challenges of this century?' which was followed by a lively question and answer session covering a wide range of subjects including the war in Ukraine, the global food crisis, and the recent earthquake in Turkey and Syria. During his lecture, M Daccord reflected on this dilemma for major international NGOs and explored how - and indeed whether - they should adapt for the future.

The session was chaired by Professor Sir Charles Godfray, Director of the Oxford Martin School, and the questions were directed by Prof Andrew Thompson. This public lecture was recorded and available to view via the URL below.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40NMhAaaAw0