Charles Kojo Vandyck, West Africa Civil Society Institute -WACSI (Ghana)

In a world beset by a multitude of crises, the #ShiftThePower movement emerges as a beacon of hope and a vanguard poised to facilitate transformative change within the realm of international development. As it deftly navigates the intricate web of incremental progress, harnessing the power of hashtag activism, addressing issues of exclusivity, and responding to the pressing need for a practical alternative to the prevailing system, it carries with it the promise of a profound reconfiguration of international development.

The movement possesses the inherent potential to empower individuals and communities, positioning them at the forefront as the true protagonists, decision-makers, and stakeholders in their own development journey. It is not a mere coincidence that the #ShiftThePower Global Summit, to be held in Bogotá, transcends the status of a simple event, it serves as a resounding call to action, an earnest invitation for all relevant stakeholders to unite and collectively sculpt the future of international development, orienting it towards a more equitable and people-centric vision.

This Summit imposes upon us a challenge that cannot be ignored; it compels us to engage in profound introspection regarding our roles, responsibilities, and actions in the grand narrative of international development transformation. It is a pivotal moment that urges us to examine how we can contribute to a more just and inclusive global development paradigm and underscores the fact that our collective actions are instrumental in shaping this transformative process. (Read more from Charles here)