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Dear Mike and Alumni Friends
At the last meeting I raised the point that the centenary could be used as a period of reflection considering the years of learning of the INGO sector in general, Save in particular and considering what may lay in the immediate to long term future. This comes on the back of a key note address I gave at Manchester Uni in Sep 2013 looking where I suggested that the days of big multi-national, multi-purpose INGOs with their northern power emphasis – funding and staffing – were numbered. I think I said ten to fifteen years would see their demise. (Not because many issues facing those served have gone away but rather that the way things get done has radically altered with the global shift in power balance). In their place I suggested that interest networks would emerge, their axes not based on north south lines but rather as potential for impact arose.
I have been pondering these thoughts further as I pedal about in London. I have come to the conclusion that the centenary is a great opportunity to begin this but that a centenary conference (alumni or organisational) one off event while it might be its launch is not the vehicle for this important (year long?) pontification.
Some thoughts:
1. Led by boards and supported by staff and alumni groups across the Save family an exchange of views is launched to ask where did we come from and where are we going
2. Could be an ongoing series of meetings, notes, recorded messages held on an Centenary Exchange page.
3. A series of interviews with people (government leaders, press, major donors, org partners and non-partners) on the question what should Save be by 2119
4. It would excellent to see Save putting heads together with the likes of Oxfam, Plan, IRC, Care etc (many common alumni there!) as they all face the same existential threats and all care deeply about doing the right thing.
This could be the mad ramblings of a deranged ex-humanitarian worker and thats why I submit them for your scrutiny!