Making Respect Real in Development: What does it take to build a culture of dignity?

“We would prefer to have respect….Unfortunately these things happen only to the rich people.” – Mathare Social Justice Centre research participant, Nairobi, Kenya

“You’re counting the wrong things‚ you’re not counting the dignity of people.” – Winnie Byanyima

“Wherever the human heart beats, it beats for dignity.” – Samantha Power

People all round the world care about dignity. Yet even when they get the material aid they need, people frequently leave encounters with NGOs and governments bruised and unheard. When their dignity is disrespected in this way, it harms their wellbeing and empowerment. When we get these encounters right, and see the full humans in front of us, we unlock benefits for development programs and for society, the evidence shows. Leaders at USAID, FCDO, UNAIDS and many philanthropic foundations have expressed the value they place on this agenda.

Warm words are easy. What specifically should we do? What does the evidence show? What does it take to build cultures of dignity?

This roundtable gathers leaders from three continents who have successfully wrestled with the practical agenda of building dignity in their sectors. They will candidly discuss the pressures they faced, the steps they took, and what it has meant for how they serve the most vulnerable.

Featuring: Anshu Gupta, founder of Goonj, Rakesh Rajani, President of JustSystems, and Cate Oswald, Principal Chief Program Officer of Partners in Health.