Global development needs overhaul for equity, inclusion: expert

Makmid Camara, founder and director of Repairing International Development, has urged a fundamental transformation of the global development architecture. He advocates for a system that is more inclusive, equitable, and responsive to the needs of indigenous peoples and communities in the Global South. Camara argues that the current international development model perpetuates colonial structures and inequalities, emphasizing the need for approaches that promote reparative justice, local knowledge, and community-led initiatives.

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The current international development model continued to reflect colonial structures and inequalities, stressing the need for approaches that promote reparative justice, local knowledge systems and community-led development.

Speaking at the opening of the Repairing International Development Conference in Accra, Camara stated that reforms must go beyond current decolonization efforts. He believes development policies should reconnect communities with their land, culture, and indigenous knowledge, while actively addressing historical injustices stemming from colonization, exploitation, and exclusion. To guide these reforms, he proposed a "Six Rs Framework": reconnection, re-education, repair, rebuilding, reimagining, and resistance. This framework aims to center people and community well-being over solely focusing on economic growth and GDP.

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Development policies must reconnect communities with their land, culture and indigenous knowledge, while addressing historical injustices stemming from colonisation, exploitation and exclusion.

Camara also expressed concern that discussions on decolonizing development often exclude experts and communities from the Global South. He called for more inclusive approaches from governments, development partners, and civil society organizations. Dr. Myrna Cunningham, Chair of the Awanka Fund's Guiding Committee, added that indigenous peoples have long protected biodiversity and natural resources through traditional knowledge and self-determined development models. Despite comprising only about six percent of the global population, they play a crucial role in conserving biodiversity and safeguarding vast land and marine ecosystems.

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The framework was designed to place people and community well-being at the centre of development, rather than focusing solely on economic growth and gross domestic product.

Cunningham called for stronger partnerships between indigenous communities and development institutions to foster culturally appropriate and sustainable development. The conference itself served as a platform for participants, including representatives from indigenous organizations, civil society groups, development practitioners, and researchers, to share experiences, deepen collaboration, and devise practical strategies for reforming the international development system.

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Indigenous peoples have for generations protected biodiversity and natural resources through traditional knowledge systems and self-determined development models.