It did not occur to me that unlearning should be a big part of my growth as well. But today reminded me that growth is not only about learning new things; sometimes, it is equally about unlearning what we have long accepted as normal, a much needed conversation, especially in the development space. One of my biggest takeaways was the importance of embracing a kinship mindset in development work. It was a priceless afternoon of unlearning and learning, with a clear reminder that transforming systems begins with transforming the way we think.

Through the Labs, I am learning that Trust is the foundation upon which good partnerships are made. When trust exists, this leads to open conversations and greater understanding of different perspectives. This allows decisions to be made collaboratively, even if, officially, the power dynamics give one partner more authority than the other. I am reading about trust-based philanthropy more and will try to focus on what that can mean for Egyptian NGOs. It would be lovely to have longer sessions in the future because there is such a rich experience that we can learn from 😀

I am unlearning the assumptions, power dynamics, and long-standing ways of doing things that have shaped development practice. I am moving away from the comfort of top-down decision-making toward shared ownership, where local voices are not just included but genuinely valued. Through this process, I am learning that transparency and collaboration are not optional; they are essential to how I work, decide, and build with others.

One of the strongest reflections from the session was the recognition that decision-making is often shaped by power and control over resources. While many organisations describe decision-making as “bottom-up,” the reality is that decisions are frequently influenced by those who hold funding and institutional power. Many of us, consciously or unconsciously, align our decisions with the priorities of those in positions of authority.