Webinar Event
Shifting the Power: Lessons from INGOs Transitioning Leadership to Local NGOs
25 June 2025
12:00 GMT+3
Language: The webinar will be conducted in English with simultaneous interpretation into Arabic, depending on the language preferences of registrants.
Purpose of the Webinar
We will explore practical experiences, lessons learned, and ongoing barriers in the journey toward meaningful localisation. Leaders from INGOs will share their insights on shifting power, resources, and decision-making to local NGOs, highlighting what is working, what must change, and how INGOs can become true enablers of locally-led development and humanitarian action.
The discussion will focus on:
Concrete actions and lessons learned from INGOs that have shifted power, resources, and decision-making to local NGOs.
Ongoing challenges and what must change for effective and equitable localisation.
Good practices and recommendations for INGOs to move from rhetoric to real change.
The Target Audience for this Webinar
● Local NGOs and Civil Society Organisations: Representatives from local organisations who are directly involved in aid delivery and localisation efforts in the MENA region.
● International NGOs (INGOs): Staff and leaders from international organisations seeking to support and collaborate with local actors in crisis-affected areas.
● Donors and Funding Agencies: Donors interested in understanding the challenges and opportunities of localisation and how to effectively support locally-led initiatives.
● Humanitarian and Development Practitioners: Professionals working in the fields of humanitarian aid and development who are interested in learning about best practices in localisation.
● Policy Makers and Government Officials: Individuals involved in shaping policies that impact localisation efforts and humanitarian responses in the region.
● Academics and Researchers: Scholars studying conflict, humanitarian aid, and development who are interested in the practical applications of localisation strategies.
Wejdan Jarrah
Wejdan Jarrah is currently the Regional Representative for the Middle East and North Africa at the Network for Empowered Aid Response (NEAR), where she champions member engagement and advocates for localisation agendas. With over 18 years of experience in humanitarian and development sectors, she has a proven track record in organisational development, capacity building, coaching, and movement building. Wejdan has held significant roles with International NGOs. Her expertise includes strategic planning, leadership, programme management, psychosocial support, protection, safeguarding, and accountability. She holds a Master's degree in Social Science with a focus on Psychological Counselling from Al Yarmouk University.
Valeria Geremia
Valeria Geremia holds a Master's in International Law from the Geneva Graduate Institute and a Law degree from the University of Catania. She has extensive international experience in human rights, migration, and asylum across Latin America and Europe, with expertise in advocacy, government lobbying, NGO coordination, and programme management. For 12 years, she served as Executive Coordinator at REDIM, a network of 78 local NGOs in Mexico. Since August 2024, she has served as Network Influencing Coordinator at NEAR.
Ray Hasan
Ray leads Christian Aid’s International Programme, which operates globally and works closely with partners and communities to tackle poverty and injustice. The team provides technical, practical, and institutional support to civil society, networks, and alliances and shares expertise and learning in development, humanitarian, and peacebuilding practices to maximise collective impact. Ray has considerable experience in international development, supporting civil society organisations, engaging with governments and donors, and leading global programmes and large-scale humanitarian responses
Murali kunduru
Murali Kunduru is a mission-driven, strategic, and experienced senior leader with over 18 years of global experience in humanitarian and development action, including work in fragile and post-conflict settings. His work emphasises Locally Led Humanitarian Action, civil society movements, community-based organisations, and aid efficiency. Murali has contributed to community- and child-centered policies, the localisation of global frameworks, and monitoring efforts across multiple countries.