Thematic Field: Special Group
WorkgroupACÁPACÁ/CLACSO Special Group Latin American Permanent Forum for the Decolonization of Cooperation
National Federation of Peasant, Artisan, Indigenous, Native and Wage Earning Women of Peru
Peru
Acápacá. A platform for dissemination, learning, and support for cooperation.
Spain
The Latin American and Caribbean region faces economic, social, and environmental challenges that demand a transformation in international cooperation models. Critiques of cooperation as perpetuating colonialism have gained traction, promoting regional forums from a decolonial perspective. Within this framework, South-South and South-North dialogues are key to more equitable cooperation that is contextualized within local realities.
Historically, international cooperation has been dominated by countries of the Global North, imposing agendas that ignore the local needs of Latin America. This model has perpetuated colonial practices, subordinating the interests of the Global South. However, the context of global crises has created opportunities to rethink cooperation. Movements like Pledge for Change and #ShiftThePower challenge the colonial legacy of international NGOs, promoting more inclusive and participatory cooperation.
In Latin America, the "Pronouncement of Social Movements and Academia" has been a significant step toward decolonial and feminist cooperation, prioritizing the agendas of the Global South. Even so, challenges are numerous, ranging from declining funding to the imposition of external priorities, such as climate change, which relegate local issues like territorial rights and the fight against poverty.
Furthermore, excessive bureaucracy and sexist and racist practices in cooperative relationships hinder progress. Local organizations face micromanagement and unfair competition from Northern subsidiaries, which limits their autonomy.
In response to these challenges, the Regional Forum "Equal, Fair, and Necessary Cooperation," launched in 2024, seeks to restructure cooperation from a decolonial and feminist perspective, promoting horizontal structures and the recognition of local knowledge. The Forum is not only a space for critical reflection but also for concrete action, aligned with global initiatives such as the Pledge for Change.
Decolonizing cooperation in Latin America is urgent to overcome the unequal structures that have shaped relations between the Global North and South. Through forums such as the one mentioned and the Declaration "Towards International Cooperation without Coloniality," the foundations are being laid for a new paradigm that prioritizes local needs and values ancestral knowledge.
It is a response to the power dynamics that have perpetuated inequalities between the Global North and South, grounded in decolonial theories and intersectional feminism. These theories underscore the need to transform dominant paradigms that have historically placed the North in positions of power. Inspired by authors such as Mignolo and Quijano, it emphasizes that decolonization must be not only political and economic, but also epistemological, challenging the imposition of Northern knowledge on the South.
Applying these theories to international cooperation seeks to change how projects are designed, focusing on local needs and knowledge. In Latin America, where cooperation has perpetuated colonial hierarchies, this approach is especially relevant. Intersectional feminism, through authors like Crenshaw, introduces a critique of how racialized women in the Global South have been disproportionately affected by these dynamics. Decolonial feminism seeks to dismantle the patriarchal and racist practices present in cooperation, both in international NGOs and in governments of the Global North.
Criticism of bureaucratization and the imposition of Northern agendas is central to the decolonization of development cooperation. The demands placed on local organizations limit their autonomy and capacity for action. Instead of depending on the North, South-South dialogue allows countries in the Global South to define their own strategies and priorities, fostering more horizontal cooperation.
Theoretical critique also points to the hegemony of the concept of development, used as a tool of control by the Global North. Escobar argues that it is necessary to promote inclusive and sustainable development based on local realities. In this sense, decolonial cooperation advocates for a model in which the peoples of the Global South are the protagonists of their own destiny.
The theoretical relevance of decolonizing cooperation is essential in the current context of global crises and inequalities. Decolonial and feminist theories provide a crucial framework for transforming these practices and building more equitable and just cooperation.
Mbembe, A. (2020). Necropolitics. Melusine.
Glennie, J. (2020). The future of aid: global public investment. Routledge.
Caldwell, R., & Sriskandarajah, D. (2023). In focus: International non-governmental organizations pledge to shift power and resources.
Khan, T., Dickson, K., & Sondarjee, M. (Eds.). (2023). White saviorism in international development: Theories, practices and lived experiences. Daraja Press.
The decolonization of international cooperation is a response to the power dynamics that have perpetuated inequalities between the Global North and South, grounded in decolonial theories and intersectional feminism. These theories underscore the need to transform dominant paradigms that have historically placed the North in positions of power. Authors such as Mignolo and Quijano emphasize that this is not only a matter of political and economic decolonization, but also an epistemological one, challenging the imposition of Northern knowledge on the South.
Applying these theories to international cooperation seeks to change how projects are designed, focusing on local needs and knowledge. In Latin America, where cooperation has perpetuated colonial hierarchies, this approach is especially relevant. Intersectional feminism, through authors like Crenshaw, introduces a critique of how racialized women in the Global South have been disproportionately affected by these dynamics. Decolonial feminism seeks to dismantle the patriarchal and racist practices present in cooperation, both in international NGOs and in governments of the Global North.
Criticism of bureaucratization and the imposition of Northern agendas is central to the decolonization of development cooperation. The demands placed on local organizations limit their autonomy and capacity for action. Instead of depending on the North, South-South dialogue allows countries in the Global South to define their own strategies and priorities, fostering more horizontal cooperation.
Theoretical critique also points to the hegemony of the concept of development, used as a tool of control by the Global North. Escobar argues that it is necessary to promote inclusive and sustainable development based on local realities. In this sense, decolonial cooperation advocates for a model in which the peoples of the Global South are the protagonists of their own destiny.
The theoretical relevance of decolonizing cooperation is essential in the current context of global crises and inequalities. Decolonial and feminist theories provide a crucial framework for transforming these practices and building more equitable and just cooperation.
Crenshaw, Kimberlé. "Mapping the Margins: Intersectionality, Identity Politics, and Violence Against Women of Color." Stanford Law Review, 1991
Quijano, A. (2000). Coloniality of power, Eurocentrism and Latin America (Vol. 13). Buenos Aires: CLACSO.
Segato, RL (2013). Argumentative axes of the perspective of the Coloniality of Power. Casa de las Américas Magazine, 272, 17-39.
(Articulation actions for relevant and rigorous comparative social research)
(Actions for training, visibility and communication of production)
(Relationships with science and technology organizations, non-governmental organizations, trade unions, social movements, etc.)
(Scientific networks, international cooperation organizations, academic institutions)
(Articulation actions for relevant and rigorous comparative social research)
Initiate dialogues between social movements, NGOs and academia to strengthen a collaborative network.
Identification of good practices and success stories in decolonial and feminist cooperation.
Regional diagnosis published and shared on academic and social networks.
The first edition of the Forum was a success with the participation of key players.
(Actions for training, visibility and communication of production)
(Relationships with science and technology organizations, non-governmental organizations, trade unions, social movements, etc.)
Development of awareness campaigns on colonial practices in cooperation.
(Scientific networks, international cooperation organizations, academic institutions)
Participation in international events to raise awareness of the Forum's proposals, especially those of foundations, donors, and international organizations.
(Articulation actions for relevant and rigorous comparative social research)
Expand the dissemination of the Forum's results and recommendations to new cooperation actors.
Organization of regional working groups to delve deeper into specific challenges.
Expanded network of organizations and actors actively collaborating in the Forum.
Concrete progress in the implementation of the Forum's recommendations in public policies.
(Actions for training, visibility and communication of production)
Conducting comparative research on decolonial practices in cooperation in different subregions (Mercosur, Andean Zone, Caribbean, Mesoamerica).
(Relationships with science and technology organizations, non-governmental organizations, trade unions, social movements, etc.)
Conducting training workshops for NGOs and social movements on equitable and fair cooperation practices.
(Scientific networks, international cooperation organizations, academic institutions)
Total number of researchers admitted: 300
Acápacá. A platform for dissemination, learning, and support for cooperation.
Spain
National Federation of Peasant, Artisan, Indigenous, Native and Wage Earning Women of Peru
Peru
