In Cairo in September, WINGS brought together 29 network members from Africa and the Arab region for a workshop on ‘Improving the Accountability of International Philanthropy’. Co-hosted by the Arab Foundations Forum, the workshop kicked off a global consultation process, the aim of which is to deepen the understanding and practice of accountability in international philanthropy, as well as including voices and perspectives from the global South. The need for global input emerged at the Global Philanthropy Leadership Initiative (GPLI).  

A lively dialogue touched on a range of issues, such as advancing southern leadership in global development collaboration; the role of accountability in forging better ‘transparency, trust and relationships’; the priority of strengthening accountability to citizens and community-level stakeholders; addressing power dynamics and imbalances; growing the enabling environment for cross-border philanthropy, citizen engagement and partnerships; engagement with governments and policy change; and moving from principles to more effective implementation, supported by accountability tools, mechanisms and practices.

The workshop set the scene and identified issues for further dialogue at a follow-up regional workshop in Johannesburg in November, in conjunction with the African Grantmakers Network Assembly. The theme of the Johannesburg workshop was ‘Accountability in International Philanthropy: Moving from Principles to Better Practice’.

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