“Save Santa Clause Now!”
Over the past few months, the Shifting Systems Initiative has hosted a series of workshops on Power and Equity. The first one, which featured Kumi Naidoo as the resource person and key presenter, is recapped below by Kelly Diggins of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. Kumi is the Founding Chair of Africans Rising, former Secretary General of Amnesty International, and former Executive Director of Greenpeace International.
Years ago, human rights and environmental activist Kumi Naidoo protested an oil rig off the shores of Greenland with a sign that read, “Stop Arctic Destruction.” When he returned home to South Africa and shared this work with his family, his nephews suggested that a better slogan would have been “Save Santa Clause Now!”
Philanthropists often, like activists, project their perspectives on issues. However, if philanthropists are being intentional in seeking systems change, then we need to better understand the point of view of our beneficiaries. Whether people agree with the idea of Santa Clause or not, he is a popular figure associated with the Arctic and more people (like Kumi’s nephews) can relate to him than the concept of Arctic destruction. After all, if we do not bring people with us in the work, the systemic change we want will not be possible.
So, what can philanthropy do to address the urgency of the work and speak truth to power to seek systemic and structural change?
In this first session of the Power and Equity Workshop Series hosted by the Shifting Systems Initiative, Kumi Naidoo shared his perspective in answering that question based on his 40 years of activism and stressed that philanthropy cannot maintain the status quo and expect different results or the scale at which change is needed. Below are three strategies that philanthropy can employ to be more equitable when working to shift systems.
- Build community
Our role as philanthropists is to build bridges to connect members of the community. There is enough polarization in the world right now and there are many narratives that are fractioning society. Therefore, philanthropy should lead first with compassion. Philanthropy has the power to design processes and try different solutions that are more inclusive, resulting in increasing equity.
2. Use culture as a driver for change
Funders collect data to evaluate whether the desired impact is being made. But solely relying on data is not going to help create change, especially when trying to involve other stakeholders. The focus on facts and figures is pushing philanthropy in a different direction, and it has been proven that facts and figures alone are not sufficient in changing mindsets. Instead of focusing on facts and figures, we should focus on culture, which drives everything. When speaking to power, Kumi stated he has greater success when taking a “hearts” approach and appealing to the human side of the person.
3. Co-create solutions
Kumi emphasized that philanthropy needs to turbocharge intersectionality in order to advance the possibility of better outcomes. He has found that foundations are most effective when they collaborate with other foundations and make it easier for the grantee partners to engage with them. For solutions to succeed, they should be co-created and involve actors from different sectors.
Activism and philanthropy need to speak to power, yet build bridges for those who are not with us on a movement. To fight for justice, we need to build in compassion and love, and bring in community. This requires binging people with us in the work and allowing stakeholders to see themselves in the system.
