Future of Aid 2040: Pathways for Transformation

Ethical Compliance Policy

Introduction

The "Future of Aid 2040: Pathways for Transformation" project aims to provide humanitarian actors with a futures-oriented perspective to support decision-making and equip them with tools for organizational transformation. The Inter-Agency Research and Analysis Network (IARAN) is dedicated to conducting research with the highest ethical standards. This policy outlines the ethical considerations and compliance measures which will govern the Future of Aid 2040 project’s execution.

Project Overview

In 2016 we released a landmark study titled Future of Aid: INGOs in 2030. While much of the analysis in this report remains relevant, we feel it is time to begin the process of developing a new outlook to reflect the changes in our global environment and within the humanitarian sector. We have received multiple requests from colleagues across different organizations who would like analysis to support them to continue to be effective in a changing environment and Interagency Research and Analysis Network (IARAN) and Center for Humanitarian Leadership (CHL) are happy to announce the launch of the Future of Aid 2040: Pathways of Transformation study to meet this request.

The primary objectives of the Future of Aid 2040 study are:

To provide all actors navigating the humanitarian ecosystem with a 2040 outlook to support their decision-making.

To equip humanitarian actors with a toolkit for organizational transformation, enabling them to maintain value and increase impact.

To do this we are seeking input from as wide a range of people implicated in humanitarian aid as possible. To do this we will host virtual, seminar series with different networks of humanitarian actors and run an open survey. The seminars/surveys will cover topics such as futures thinking, drivers of change, and scenario planning, engaging participants through discussions and structured surveys.

Ethical Principles

We adhere to the following ethical principles throughout the project's lifecycle:

Informed Consent: Participants are fully informed about the project's purpose, their role, and how their contributions will be utilized (please see Data use section below). Participation is entirely voluntary, with the option to withdraw at any time without penalty. Participants that wish to withdraw from the study can email futureofaid@iaran.org to have their input removed.

Anonymity and Confidentiality: While we collect minimal personal data, any demographic information gathered is anonymized to prevent identification. Data is stored securely and is accessible only to authorized personnel.

Non-Collection of Sensitive Personal Data: Our surveys are designed to avoid collecting sensitive personal data, focusing instead on professional perspectives and demographic information relevant to the research.

Minimizing Potential Harm: Survey questions are crafted to avoid causing discomfort or distress, ensuring respect for participants' well-being.

Data Management

We handle all collected data in strict accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other applicable data protection laws:

Storage: Data is securely stored on encrypted servers, with access limited to authorized project team members.

Usage: Data is used solely for the purposes outlined in the project, in alignment with participants' consent.

Retention: Data is retained only as long as necessary to fulfill the project's objectives and comply with legal requirements.

Data use

Primary use – The primary use of all data shared through the Future of Aid 2040 surveys and seminars will be to shape and inform the analysis and drafting of the Future of Aid 2040: Pathways to Transformation report and complementary research products that could be created from it. The final report will be publicly available. The raw data gathered from the project will only be available to authorized personnel working on the report.

Secondary uses – The data gathered from the seminar series/surveys co-hosted by project partners will be shared with the partners for their own non-commercial use in strategy and planning. The project partners will only be entitled to the data collected from their networks.

Ethical Review and Oversight

Members of our "Future of Aid 2040: Pathways for Transformation" Academic Panel serve as the project's ethics committee, ensuring rigorous ethical oversight. This panel operates independently, free from conflicts of interest, and includes members with diverse expertise to comprehensively address ethical considerations. Panel members are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest prior to their involvement in the ethical review process. A standard operating procedure is in place to manage and mitigate any identified conflicts, ensuring unbiased ethical oversight.

Stakeholder Engagement

We engage a wide range of stakeholders, including humanitarian professionals, academics, and other relevant actors, to ensure diverse perspectives are considered. Engagement methods include virtual seminars, surveys, and collaborative workshops. Feedback obtained is systematically reviewed and integrated into the project's strategic planning to ensure diverse perspectives are considered.

Continuous Improvement

IARAN is committed to the continuous improvement of its ethical standards. This policy will be reviewed periodically and updated as necessary to reflect evolving ethical considerations and regulatory requirements.

Conclusion

IARAN is dedicated to conducting the "Future of Aid 2040: Pathways for Transformation" project with the utmost ethical integrity. By adhering to these guidelines, we aim to contribute valuable insights to the humanitarian sector while respecting the rights and dignity of all participants.

Contact Information

For further information or inquiries regarding this policy, please contact:

Inter-Agency Research and Analysis Network (IARAN)
W93PN London, UK
Email: contact@iaran.org
Website: www.iaran.org

This policy ensures our "Future of Aid 2040: Pathways for Transformation" project aligns with ethical standards and fosters trust among stakeholders. Adjustments based on additional details or organizational feedback are welcomed.

Sources

Last updated: nov 2024

The future awaits.