Paper details

Paper authors	Graham Fawcett
In panel on	Can Standards and Reforms Drive Effective Change?
Paper presenter(s) will be presenting	In-Person / Online

Abstract

Transformation is not an overnight process. We all know that change takes time. As we look at standards for the humanitarian sector, we must recognise that it is painful process. We have to identify our own failures no matter how small or large they may be. This necessitates a long-term commitment to change, not just a short term fix for the next year or even for the next five years. Rather, we need to consider change over the next 20+ years. This paper focus on a sector response to the issues of safeguarding that go beyond an individual organisation, one which will also address these issues at a systemic level. We have to move beyond a quick fix that is often driven by our own guilt and fear and by the need to minimise the reputational risk to our organisations when it all goes badly wrong . In this paper, I argue that it is possible and necessary to lead a significant change in how we prevent and respond to safeguarding issues. Based on my work with Thrive and other INGOs that are addressing these issues, this paper argues that what is needed is a transformation over a long term period that also addresses the root cause of most safeguarding issues, abuse of power, which has been tried and tested in other industries.

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