New research from Oxfam and researchers at the London School of Economics shows a clear link between growing income inequality and income poverty in the UK. Philomena Cullen explores what this means for anti-poverty efforts both nationally and globally. Oxfam’s core purpose is the ending of poverty and suffering. Yet, in recent years, we’ve grown increasingly alarmed by extreme and …
No environmental justice without gender justice
Gender equality and women’s rights are core to attaining sustainable, just human development. Editor, Caroline Sweetman, introduces the natural resource justice issue of the Gender & Development journal. 2017 is on course to be the deadliest year yet for environmental activism: 150 women and men have so far been murdered for defending natural resources and the communities who depend on …
What kind of evidence might persuade people to change their minds on refugees?
Humanitarian Policy Adviser Ed Cairns reflects on using evidence to influence the treatment of refugees. Ed presented on this subject at our recent Evidence for Influencing conference organised by the Oxfam Research Network. Who thinks that governments decide what to do on refugees after carefully considering the evidence? Not many, I suspect. So it was an interesting to be asked …
Cracking down on tax dodging, cracking down on poverty
Following the ‘Paradise Papers’ leak of financial documents Mark Goldring explains why Oxfam is calling for greater tax transparency. When businesses dodge taxes the poorest people suffer the consequences: lack of funding for public services. Through Oxfam’s work fighting poverty around the world, I see the devastating impact that not having access to basic services like education, clean water and …
Tax is an attitude: not just a set of rules
A huge new leak of financial documents this week has revealed how some multinational companies secretly make use of tax havens. FTSE 100 energy company SSE believes it should be the norm to report tax payments on a country by country basis, as they already do. Here Alistair Phillips-Davies, SSE’s Chief Executive, explains why paying taxes matters to them. SSE …
A twin mandate for DFID – what does this mean?
Oxfam’s policy team present their vision for the UK’s aid programme to tackle both poverty and inequality. The Shadow Secretary of State for International Development used her first major speech to announce that any future Labour government would instate a dual poverty/inequality mandate for the Department for International Development (DFID). Oxfam has long warned of the risks of growing extreme …
Helping our partners to stay safe?
Yoma Winder reflects on our recent report with International Alert on working with partners in conflict contexts. The report was launched at a panel event at LSE on October 31. When Oxfam asked for partners’ feedback via the Keystone Accountability’s Partner Survey we were told many things very firmly. Of particular concern for Oxfam was that we had a lower …
Podcast: Key requirements for INGOs to make true on the ‘Localisation of Aid’ agenda
[buzzsprout episode=’2559247′ player=’true’] Many INGOs have made commitments to support reform in the Humanitarian System, specifically to ensure that local and national humanitarian actors can take a more prominent role in coordinating and implementing emergency responses. What are the challenges INGOs like Oxfam face in realising this ‘Localisation of Aid’ agenda? We spoke to the Oxfam in Iraq team for …
Local partnerships and protecting human rights in conflict
Phil Vernon from International Alert shares his views on working with partners on conflict contexts, as part of our release of a recent joint report on the subject. A healthy and active civil society is both an essential indicator of a resilient society, and an essential vehicle for achieving one, through activism and service delivery. But civil society is under …
Being a better partner in conflict situations
A new report from Oxfam and International Alert looks at how violent conflict impacts local civil society and how international partners respond. Here Harriet Lamb, CEO of International Alert and Mark Goldring, CEO of Oxfam GB, reflect on the key findings and their implications for future and current partnerships in conflict. Violent conflicts cast a shadow every day over millions …