Advancing Locally Led Development: From Power Sharing to Genuine Power Transfer
On 29 October 2026, Camilia Safatli, Acting Head of Programs and Operations at the Alawite Islamic Charity Association (AICA) and NEAR Regional Delegate, participated in The Next Move Unconference in The Hague, convened by Oxfam Novib and Partos, alongside Anita, NEAR’s Director of Policy.
Representing the perspectives and priorities of local and national humanitarian actors, Camilia contributed to the closing Reflection Roundtable alongside representatives of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Oxfam Novib, highlighting the importance of translating localization commitments into meaningful institutional and structural change.
At the heart of her intervention was a clear call for a fundamental shift in international cooperation:
“We do not need equal power-sharing. We need genuine power transfer. Local actors must be trusted to lead, decide, act, and respond.”
Camilia underscored that years of investment in capacity strengthening and knowledge sharing must now be matched by greater institutional trust, equitable partnerships, and the transfer of decision-making authority to local and national actors. Without such progress, capacity-strengthening efforts risk falling short of their intended transformative impact.
She also recognized the constructive role of Oxfam Novib and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs in facilitating inclusive dialogue and advancing the localization agenda, while emphasizing that sustainable reform requires concrete commitments, measurable accountability, and tangible changes in how resources, responsibilities, and decision-making power are distributed.
The outcomes of these discussions are expected to inform Oxfam Novib’s forthcoming Manifesto on the Future of Dutch Development Cooperation, contributing to broader policy dialogue on the future of international cooperation in the Netherlands.
Meaningful localization is not simply about ensuring local actors have a seat at the table. It is about recognizing their leadership, strengthening their institutional autonomy, and enabling them to shape the decisions that affect the communities they serve.
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