Exploring decolonisation and its implications for IIED

In its strategy 'Manifesto for a thriving world', IIED affirms its commitment to becoming an anti-racist organisation and to pursuing decolonisation with care. This briefing highlights some important insights that informed the manifesto and that remain relevant for ongoing efforts by IIED and others pursuing decolonisation and equitable partnerships.

Specifically, it summarises eight key insights from a series of internal talks by Indigenous and grassroots partners, peer organisations and majority-world thinkers who provided feedback on how IIED can decolonise its research programmes and become anti-racist.

The speakers identified the need to challenge mainstream development and environment paradigms and research agendas as White supremacist constructs; to co-create alternatives with Indigenous and grassroots partners; and to shift decision-making power and funding to the grassroots. They also recognised IIED’s existing decolonial work, including on biocultural heritage and pastoralism.

Acting on these recommendations will require fundamental changes for IIED — and in the institutions, norms and mindsets that influence what we do.