NGOs are perceived as organisations that are always seeking funding. However, there are many instances where donations are refused by NGOs. This counter-intuitive decision, given the often grave humanitarian needs, is not well documented beyond brief references or individual cases. Refusal is an expression of values and principles, important for actors that are often portrayed as having little to no agency or power in relation to donors. We developed a database of 32 examples of funding refusals by NGOs detailing the reasons for refusal. To classify and compare the refusals, we developed a preliminary typology of NGO motivations for donor refusal, which contains four types (independence, impartiality, neutrality, and humanity) that align with humanitarian principles. Each category and type are defined and examples of each are provided. Given the focal nature of NGOs in development activity, the lack of attention to funding refusal is notable. We address this lacuna by creating a database and developing a preliminary typology to provide a foundation for future research. This study contributes a novel typology to an under-studied topic. In so doing, this paper provides a foundation for studies of refusal to follow.

At the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was concern that small and medium-sized Canadian development organisations (SMOs) would not be able to survive the expected funding losses associated with this period and would ultimately be forced to shut down. With COVID-19 now (largely) behind us, this paper explores how these organisations experienced the pandemic period. It utilizes data gathered between 2020 and 2024, including 278 survey responses and 51 interviews with Canadian SMOs. It reveals that, despite early fears over the ability of SMOs to survive the pandemic, these organisations were able to meaningfully apply key principles of adaptability and flexibility in order to establish organisational resilience in the face of this global crisis. There is a broad perception within the global development sector that SMOs are vulnerable entities that lack resilience. These organisations, however, were successful in adapting to their new reality and they effectively navigated the pandemic period. In spite of their success, SMOs did not change their perspective on the strength and resilience of smaller organisations as a whole, but rather framed themselves as exceptions. Looking forward, respondents in a final round of interviews in 2024 noted that, while we may be in a post-pandemic period, COVID-19 resulted in lasting changes within the global development sector which continue to create challenges for SMOs. Of highest concern are a continued decline in donations to international causes and rising program costs due to heightened inflation.

Heeding the call by Abebe et al., to “bridge the gaps between childhood studies and development studies” (2024, 1), this research paper aspires to facilitate best child-centred NGO policies and practices in international development. The coming together of these fields may generate critical interdisciplinary possibilities for advancing the rights of children around the world.

Building upon the New Sociology of Childhood paradigm (Canosa & Graham, 2020; James & Prout, 2015), this study incorporates Childism as an innovative theoretical framework that critiques the hierarchical relationship between adults and children and strives to facilitate children’s voices (Biswas, 2024; Wall, 2022) for global development. Alongside Childism as a theoretical approach, this research project also implements Child Rights Impact Assessments (CRIAs). CRIAs are “a systematic process or methodology of ensuring children’s best interests and the potential impacts of policy change upon them are considered in the policy-making process” (UNICEF Canada, 2024).

Therefore, theoretically informed by Childism and practically supported by CRIAs, this research project examines the extent to which child-centred global development NGOs uphold the rights of children and youth in their policies and practices. This idiographic study utilizes purposive and snowball sampling to facilitate qualitative interviews asking semi-structured questions with adults and youth representing child-centred NGOs. The findings reveal how key informants conceptualize the role of children and youth in international development, the barriers that their age renders upon them, and solutions for advancing children and youth engagement in global development policies and practices.

In response to rapid and complex changes in the international environment and Canada’s social fabric, Global Affairs Canada (GAC) launched in 2023 the “Future of Diplomacy: Transforming GAC”, a multi-year organizational strategy to revitalize Canadian diplomacy and the Department’s efforts as a whole, so that they are better adapted to new and emerging global realities.

With respect to development and international assistance, one of GAC’s core responsibilities, the Future of Diplomacy has many ramifications, including modernizing Canada’s international assistance management tools and processes, and updating the training offered to employees working as international assistance officers.

In this context, the aim of the proposed paper is to present the first phase (January to May 2025) of work carried out by a team within the Canadian Foreign Service Institute to identify the knowledge, skills and attitudes required by the Department’s international assistance officers, and what this may raise in terms of challenges and opportunities.

Through a needs assessment, this team will seek to answer the following research questions: What knowledge, skills and attitudes are required by Canadian international assistance officers to work effectively today and in the years to come? What approaches to workplace training and learning would be most appropriate?

Several methods will be used to answer the research questions: an analysis of strategic frameworks; a literature review; a reflection on our current training practices; internal consultations with members of the Advisory Committee on International Assistance Learning, with employees and their managers; interviews with key informants; and observation/shadowing.