 Berrett-Koehler Foundation is proud to welcome Cheri-Leigh Erasmus as a new board member this month! Cheri just finished her second BKF fellowship, this time joining us as the cohort's "facilitant", exactly at a time when being agile took on a whole new meaning. Cheri's BKF Fellowship Goals
 The recent resurgence of BLM protests globally created the space for difficult conversations The COVID-19 pandemic creates new governance and corruption challenges in many countries Accountability Lab received funding to start an entire new Lab in Zimbabwe - just as the pandemic started In all of this, the ability to relay stories in the most authentic, responsible and meaningful way is the key to raising awareness. The final part of my learning journey over the last few months has been a deeply personal one. As I witnessed renewed protests calling for racial justice sparked by the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmad Arbery, I was also painfully aware of the ways in which actors in the international development sectors can be complicit in upholding unjust systems. While many good things are being done daily, there is a lot of room for change in the sector. I am deeply passionate about increasing the representation of BIPOC and other marginalized groups at decision-making levels, changing the relationships between donors, program implementors and communities in the Global South, and shaping honest conversation around the legacies of colonialism in international development.  I am grateful to have worked with a wonderful team of people to convene this panel to gather organizations and practitioners to unpack the tangible ways in which we can work towards addressing inequities, and reimagine what our sector might look like if we work towards systemic change. The thought behind this gathering was shaped by The Art of Convening, and the many ways I've learned to hone my voice within the ALF. I also enjoyed stretching myself to find opportunities in a variety of forums and formats to share our work at Accountability Lab.  This World Economic Forum article outlines how the Accountability Lab is fighting the infodemic through accessible, relatable validated information across 6 countries. To read the article click here This webinar convened leaders from Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda to talk about the ways in which young change makers are holding governments accountable and building trust during the pandemic. To view the webinar click here This Center for Strategic International Studies (CSIS) webinar panel included Accountability Lab colleagues from Mali and Nepal on the importance of government accountability during pandemic responses. To read the highlights click here  To learn more about Cheri's BKF Action Learning Fellowship journey click the picture above. STAY TUNED!
Comments are closed.
|
