As part of Start Network’s 10-year anniversary, we wanted to celebrate those who have made or are making a considerable impact within their community, country, region, organisation or wider system – individuals, teams or organisations that are driving positive change within the humanitarian sector.
After receiving several nominations from across the network, which were then judged by a panel of volunteers, we announced the final Change Makers at Start Network’s virtual Assembly and 10-year anniversary celebration, which took place from 12-15 October 2020. In addition to the overall Changer Makers, a number of people also received 'Special Mentions' for their contribution to the sector.
The Change Makers are:
- Alfredo Mahar Lagmay – Faster and early action
- Union for Promotion/Protection, Human Rights Defense and the Environment (UPDDHE/GL) – Localisation
- Ben Ramalingam – Collective innovation
- Rice Watch Action Network – Lasting systemic change
- Bouba Aeisatu – Impactful leader
- Andrea Coché Mendoza – Puts people first
- Jessica Dewhurst – Brave
- Feminist Humanitarian Network – Operates collectively
- Heba Abu Jarbou – Inclusive
- Jahin Shams – Open
In order to tell each of their stories, we teamed up with A Good Day in Africa to produce a new podcast called "Stories of Change". The first episode features Jahin Shams, a programme development specialist at Uttaran (an NGO in Bangladesh) and the Change Maker in the category of Open. We delve into the challenges within the humanitarian sector, including why small, local organisations often struggle to access funding. Jahin also shares why integrity is so important when it comes to humanitarian work, and how being transparent with all stakeholders is key.
New episodes will be released bi-weekly from 4 November. You can listen to them on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and Soundcloud.