How can development actors meaningfully support local civil society organisations as agents of change?
Our latest Exchange Insights session brought together Dr Sandra Hamid and Emeline Siale Ilolahia for a powerful discussion on what truly locally led development looks like across Indonesia and the Pacific.
The message was clear: Local organisations are already leading change. What they need is for development systems to work with them, not around them.
We’ve pulled together the key themes and takeaways from the session – from shifting structural barriers, to rethinking partnership, to practical actions donors and INGOs can take to strengthen local leadership.
You can read the full summary here or revisit the full recording of this session on the RDI Network YouTube channel.
This session is part of our new Exchange Insights series, designed to continue the conversations sparked at Exchange 25 and to deepen cross-regional learning throughout the year. Stay tuned for future events via the RDI Network LinkedIn and newsletter.
This event was delivered in partnership by the RDI Network and the La Trobe University Centre for Human Security and Social Change (CHSSC).
Speakers
Dr Sandra Hamid is the Executive Director of AMINEF, the American Indonesian Exchange Foundation, the binational Fulbright Commission in Indonesia. She is a cultural anthropologist and development specialist with strong interests in political participation, civil society, social inclusion, religious freedom, and pluralism. Sandra worked for the Asia Foundation in Indonesia for 18 years, including 11 years as the Country Representative.
Emeline Siale Ilolahia is the Executive Director of Pacific Islands Association of Non-governmental Organisations (PIANGO) which coordinates and supports civil society organisations across 24 countries and territories across the Pacific. Siale is a long-time Tongan civil society leader who previously led the Civil Society Forum of Tonga. Through PIANGO, Siale brings together diverse stakeholders to address pressing challenges facing the Pacific communities, from climate change, human rights violations, protection of Indigenous lands, gender inequality and food security.
[MODERATOR] Elisabeth Jackson is a Director of the RDI Network Board and Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Human Security and Social Change at La Trobe University. Lis brings with her deep and broad sector experience in research and evaluation for development. She is an accomplished collaborator and has many long-established relationships with colleagues and partners across the Southeast and Pacific. Lis has widely published research and evidence-based analysis and commentary in academic journals as well as professional news and analysis media platforms.
