In this last episode, we (Matilde and Carla) recollect the themes that touched us the most through the past season: co-creation, language, intersectionality, and pervasitivy of coloniality are some of them.

We also delve on the structure of Living Decoloniality and on how this podcast is, at the same time, bringing attention to decolonial practices and also transforming itself into one of them.

We know and feel that while we are closing this season the world looks uncertain and scary, but we also hope that the example given by the many people we interview will inspire and give strength to others.

Until the next time!

The transcript is here

This episode is a bit of an exception, as it talks about coloniality, and decolonial practices, in the framework of a big international initiative: the WASH Agenda for Change.
Listening to Bethlehem Mengistu and Susan Davis we will dive into the coloniality of power and what it means to decolonize governance, using the WASH Agenda for Change as a case study. With decades of leadership in international development, Bethlehem and Susan share insights on fostering collaborative systems, strengthening efforts, and challenging traditional power dynamics in global water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) initiatives. This conversation offers practical strategies for building more equitable and sustainable governance models in development work, but it also gives interesting insights on inclusion beyond tokenism and on feminist leadership.
 
Sources: 

• Agenda for Change
• From an implementing partnership with local NGOs to partnering with local government, Bethlehem Mengistu
• Implementing Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)

The link to the transcript is here

Dr Salmah Eva-Lina Lawrence joins us to bring back the discussion on the intersection among coloniality of gender, knowledge and race. And to do so, she shares with us her experience in the Pacific Islands. Drawing on her matrilineal heritage from Papua New Guinea and her extensive experience of decolonising international development, Salmah links theory and practice with insights from ethics, epistemology and feminism. From her role in governance and civil society to her academic contributions, Salmah offers a nuanced perspective on the dismantling of colonial frameworks in development.

Sources: 

• Jean Louis Rallu, The Impact of Colonization and Christianization on Gender Violence in the Pacific Islands
• Seema Khan, Gender Issues in the Pacific Islands
• Pacific Women:  Ending discrimination on the basis of sexuality, gender identity and expression 
• Dr Salmah's website and training opportunities

The transcript is here

In this episode with Ammaarah Nilafdeen, a social researcher from Colombo, Sri Lanka, we critically examine the coloniality of language and the concept of ‘local’ in the process of "localization".
With a strong critique of colonial frameworks and the recognition that language carries meanings that reveal power differentials, Ammaarah's ideas aim to challenge entrenched narratives. 

The transcript is here.

Sources:

• SPOKEN TAMIL DIALECTS OF THE MUSLIMS OF SRI LANKA: LANGUAGE AS IDENTITY-CLASSIFIER, M. M. M. MAHROOF
• How a unique Tamil dialect survived among a fishing community in Sri Lanka, Ajay Kamalakaran
• Coloniality and the ‘aid bubble’: Can language be a driver for change?, Carla Vitantonio
• Deconstructing Decolonization: The Case of Language, Ammaarah Nilafdeen
• The relationship between Language and Neocolonialism - Carla Vitantonio

In this episode, Ayelén Amigo joins us to explore coloniality of age, a concept that she created during her studies and shares practical tools for decolonisation projects with children. Applying her extensive academic training and years of participatory work with children and adolescents in Argentina and Mexico, Ayelén shares how adult-centrism and patriarchy shape childhood experiences. Focusing on the integration of feminist perspectives and on the use of the "pedagogy of tenderness", Ayelén offers valuable insights into creating more inclusive and equitable approaches to youth work. 

The transcript is here.

Sources: 

• Linde, R., The globalization of childhood: The international diffusion of norms and law against the child death penalty. 
• Nxumalo, F., & Cedillo, S.,  Decolonizing place in early childhood studies: Thinking with Indigenous onto-epistemologies and Black feminist geographies. 
• Elizabeth A. Faulkner and Conrad Nyamutata, The Decolonisation of Children’s Rights and the Colonial Contours of the Convention on the Rights of the Child

In this episode we welcome Michelle Lokot, an esteemed researcher and practitioner, to explore the coloniality of gender and how it intersects with monitoring and evaluation (M&E) in humanitarian contexts. Michelle shares practical tools for fostering decolonial approaches to M&E, drawing on her extensive experience in feminist research, GBV, and qualitative methods. As Co-Director of the Health in Humanitarian Crises Centre at LSHTM, Michelle brings unique insights into the power hierarchies shaping gender, forced migration, and humanitarian aid. With years of frontline experience in Jordan, Nigeria, and Burundi, and collaborations with agencies like UNICEF and IRC, Michelle’s expertise will challenge and inspire your perspective on humanitarian work. 

The link to the transcript is here

Sources: 

• Gani, J.K & Khan, R.M,  Positionality Statements as a Function of Coloniality: Interrogating Reflexive Methodologies
• Lokot, M., Pichon, M., Kalichman, B., Nardella, S., Falconer, J., Kyegombe, N., & Buller, A. M.,  Decolonising the field of violence against women and girls: A scoping review and recommendations for research and programming.
• Lokot, M., Reflecting on Race, Gender and Age in Humanitarian-Led Research: Going Beyond Institutional to Individual Positionality.
• Lokot, M.,  Whose Voices? Whose Knowledge? A Feminist Analysis of the Value of Key Informant Interviews.
• Meger, S, The Fetishization of Sexual Violence in International Security.
• Zreik, T., El Masri, R., Chaar, S., Ali, R., Meksassi, B., Elias, J., & Lokot, M., Collaborative Coding in Multi-National Teams: Benefits, Challenges and Experiences Promoting Equitable Research.

In this insightful episode, we’re joined by Safieh, a trailblazer in decolonizing global health. With over 15 years of experience in the humanitarian sector, Safieh shares practical tools to dismantle the coloniality of knowledge and being within international public health projects. From her work as a medical doctor to establishing the first open-access, multi-country Ebola data repository, Safieh’s journey is a testament to the power of intersectional feminism, open science, and decolonial approaches.

Sources: 

• Transforming global health: decoloniality and the human condition, Raphael Lencucha
• Towards a bidirectional decoloniality in academic global health: insights from settler colonialism and racial capitalism, Bram Wispelwey, Chidinma Osuagwu, David Mills, Tinashe Goronga, Michelle Morse
• Shifting Power in Global Health: Creating partnerships to put decoloniality into practice, United Nations Univeristy
• Why and for whom are we decolonising global health?, Ong’era F Mogakaa, Jenell Stewart, Elizabeth Bukusi
• Safieh' s newsletter
• Epistemic violence in the humanitarian sector

You can find the complete transcript here

In this episode of Living Decoloniality, we sit down with Dawit Taddele Dessie. Dawit considers himself a person who works to promote sustainable change. Currently, his interest is mainly focused on the intersection between technology and development. Dawit shares insights on how he is engaging in  reshaping philanthropy in East Africa. We'll dive into his work at Project Tech for Development, the role of tech-enabled solutions in nonprofit work, and his vision for decolonizing philanthropy through long-term sustainability, data-driven insights, and strategic partnerships. He emphasizes that true decolonization must begin with a shift in mindset, transforming the way we think before we can reshape systems and institutions
Sources: 

• 3 ways to decolonize philanthropy right now, Geoffrey Thige, Jailan Adly
• Funders must reckon with the true motivations of philanthropy if they want to decolonise, Laura Somoggi and Shivani Gupta
• https://www.wildeganzen.org/
• https://kcdf.or.ke/
• Opinion: To truly walk the talk is to decolonize philanthropy

Dawit Taddele Dessie is a seasoned changemaker with over 15 years of experience driving transformative impact across diverse sectors. Currently, he is at the forefront of integrating technology into development through his role at Project Tech for Development, where he builds scalable and sustainable solutions, strengthens nonprofit tech capacity, and leverages open-source technology for the public good. Simultaneously, he serves as a strategic advisor to the East Africa Philanthropy Network, architecting an integrated ecosystem centered around three key pillars:

• Endowment/Pool Fund: Fostering long-term organizational sustainability through strategic fundraising and partnerships.
• Tech-Enabled Data Mapping Platform: Creating a comprehensive data-driven landscape of the East African philanthropic ecosystem.
• Technology Integration and Custom Tech Products: Empowering network members with innovative technology solutions to maximize impact.

A skilled collaborator, Dawit excels at building bridges between diverse stakeholders to drive systemic change. With a keen ability to identify opportunities and translate vision into action. Passionate about harnessing collective intelligence, he seeks collaborative partnerships to build a more equitable and sustainable future.

The transcript is here

In this opening episode of Season 3, we’re reconnecting with the essence of Living Decoloniality and diving into reflections from our journey so far. Join us as we unpack key lessons from the first two seasons, revisit the fundamentals of coloniality, and set the stage for the conversations to come. Whether you’re a longtime listener or tuning in for the first time, this episode is your gateway to understanding the ongoing impacts of coloniality and our paths toward decolonial futures. Let’s continue this journey together!

The transcript is here.

Sources:

• Frantz Fanon’s Enduring Legacy By Pankaj Mishra
• Black Skin, White Masks by Frantz Fanon
• Positionality Statements as a Function of Coloniality: Interrogating Reflexive Methodologies by Jasmine K Gani, Rabea M Khan
• Decolonizing the aid sector: how the global minority is holding on to power, by Carla Vitantonio
• Coloniality and the "aid bubble": can language be a driver for change? by Carla Vitantonio

This episode needs an introduction: we defend the spontaneity of podcasts and we think that linking professionality to the use of expensive technical means is yet one more attempt to keep power and resources in the hands of those few who can afford them.
Nevertheless we are conscious that the sound of this episode is especially disturbing.
Thank you for keeping supporting us, your support is our strength!


Join us as we conclude the second season of this podcast. We explore the essence of decolonial practices, reflecting on our journey.
We try to pull the threads of the practices discussed: reconnecting with nature, challenging binaries and imagining a more equitable future.  

What does it mean in a world where humanitarian and development actions are more needed than ever?
What does it mean for people working in our sector? 
How can we practice decoloniality and remain relevant?

Until next time, stay engaged, curious and decolonial.

The transcript is available here.