Dignity: A Pillar of Effective International Development  

In my over 25 years working in international development across a breadth of different country contexts, there is one very important yet often overlooked aspect that is a key pillar of successful international development programs: dignity. Defending dignity within international development programs is not just a moral imperative or a “nice thing to do” but something that can also significantly enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of development outcomes. 

At its core, dignity is a fundamental human right. Every individual, regardless of their socio-economic status, ethnicity, religion, gender, or geographical location, deserves to be treated with respect and honour. International development programs that prioritize dignity recognize and celebrate the intrinsic value of every unique person, regardless of their personal background. This recognition fosters a sense of self-worth and empowerment among project participants, which is essential for their active and effective engagement and participation. 

When people feel respected and valued, they are also more likely to take true ownership of development projects. Communities that are treated with dignity are more inclined to contribute their knowledge, skills, and resources, leading to more effective, culturally appropriate, and locally led solutions. Moreover, participatory approaches that uphold dignity also help ensure that development solutions are aligned with the actual needs and aspirations of the people they aim to serve, which always provides a much better result. 

Trust is well known to be a bedrock of any successful intervention, whatever the country or context. Programs that prioritize dignity also help establish trust between development actors and local communities. When people feel that their dignity is respected, they are more likely to cooperate and collaborate with external agencies and ultimately build trust with each other. When there is trust between parties, it leads to smoother implementation of projects and often more innovative and context-specific solutions. Additionally, when there is such trust in place, it can often help mitigate potential conflicts and misunderstandings that can arise in development settings. 

We all know that international development often involves interactions between entities with varying degrees of power and influence, whether it be the developed world and the developing world, the global north and the global south, the majority world and the minority world. By defending individual dignity, we promote equality and inclusivity and help level out power imbalances across such divides. It also challenges the traditional top-down or colonial approach to development and advocates for a more horizontal, partnership-based, and equity-based model in the spirit of locally led development, something central to International Needs Australia’s mission over the last 50 years. This shift not only helps democratize the development process but also ensures that the most marginalized and vulnerable groups have a voice and agency in shaping their own futures. 

Development programs that uphold dignity are also more likely to achieve long-term impact and sustainability. When people are treated with dignity, they are more motivated to maintain and build upon the gains achieved throughout the development programs they have been involved in and truly accept these as their own. This motivation is crucial for the continuity and scaling up of successful projects. In addition, dignity-centred approaches contribute to the overall well-being and resilience of communities, making them better equipped to tackle future challenges they might face. 

So, when I think back over all development programs I have seen over my career, including with International Needs Australia, defending individuals’ dignity is not just an optional add-on but a fundamental component of any effective international development program. By defending individuals’ dignity, we can enhance participation, build trust, address power imbalances, support locally led development, and contribute to more truly sustainable development outcomes. I am so proud that International Needs Australia has chosen defending dignity as a key theme for our work at the end of this financial year, highlighting the many wonderful stories of individuals who have overcome significant challenges and thrived because their dignity has been defended, despite their personal background or context.

Please do check out these stories of Sherwin, Juliette, and Stephen in our newsletter from our website, which so wonderfully illustrate this. They are all truly inspirational.

As we all strive to create a more just and equitable world, let us remember that dignity is a key pillar in effective development that should be defended, not overlooked.