The International Disability Alliance (IDA) has officially launched a comprehensive global Listening Exercise, an integral part of its ongoing effort to strengthen governance, enhance transparency and accountability, redefine strategic priorities, and solidify its legitimacy as the foremost representative organization of persons with disabilities on the global stage. This initiative marks a critical juncture in IDA’s evolution, as the organization seeks to address both internal and external concerns, ensuring its continued relevance and effectiveness in advocating for disability rights worldwide. This process is made possible thanks to the support of CBM Global and Sightsavers International, longstanding partners of IDA.
The Listening Exercise is being undertaken in the wake of several internal and external reviews, including assessments by KPMG and Ernst & Young (EY), which highlighted areas for improvement in IDA’s governance, management, and financial practices. While these reviews provided important technical and procedural recommendations, the broader challenge for IDA lies in addressing concerns within the disability movement and sector regarding the organization’s legitimacy and representativity. This exercise builds on the impact we have made and positions us to accelerate our advocacy in important global agendas, such as the human rights and development agendas, reinforcing our commitment to ensuring that issues affecting people with disabilities are included in global discussions.
A transformative opportunity
“This Listening Exercise is more than just a procedural step; it represents a transformative opportunity for IDA to solidify its role as the legitimate and representative voice in the global disability movement,” said Dr. Nawaf Kabbara, President of IDA. “By directly engaging with our members, partners, and the broader disability community, we aim to ensure that our governance reforms and strategic priorities are truly reflective of the needs and aspirations of those we represent.”
The Listening Exercise will gather a wide range of perspectives on crucial areas such as representation, membership structures, strategic priorities, partnership models, and collaboration frameworks. The insights gained will inform ongoing reforms, contributing to the development of a more robust and responsive governance structure that aligns with the expectations of IDA’s diverse stakeholders.
Objectives of the Listening Exercise
The Listening Exercise is designed with several key objectives in mind:
- Governance reforms: Provide the current IDA board with critical information necessary for implementing governance reforms that will enhance the alliance’s effectiveness and ensure it remains at the forefront of the global disability movement.
- Transparent dialogue: Facilitate open and transparent discussions across the disability community to ensure that IDA’s reforms are aligned with the expectations and needs of its members and partners.
- Strategic priorities: Collect views on the strategic priorities that IDA should focus on in the coming years, ensuring that the organization’s efforts are directed toward the most pressing issues facing persons with disabilities.
- Best practices: Identify and gather experiences and best practices on effective coordination and collaboration within the disability sector, which will be crucial for strengthening IDA’s operations and partnerships.
Phased Approach
The Listening Exercise will unfold in two distinct phases:
- Phase 1 (August - November 2024): This initial phase will focus on conducting in-depth interviews with IDA Board members and Directors of Member Organizations. The insights gathered will be synthesized and presented to the Board, followed by facilitated discussions to explore actionable paths forward.
- Phase 2 (December 2024 - March 2025): The second phase will broaden the consultation to include IDA donors, UN interlocutors, and other stakeholders. This phase is critical for gathering diverse perspectives on the governance reforms and for identifying the strategic priorities that will guide IDA’s advocacy efforts in the coming years.
Methodology and Participation
The Listening Exercise will be conducted through a series of consultations, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews, all led by external consultants to ensure objectivity and inclusivity. The exercise will engage a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including:
- IDA’s 14 Member organizations: These organizations will provide direct input on how governance reforms can ensure that the Alliance best serve their interests and those of the communities they represent.
- IDA donors and partners: Donors and partners will offer insights into how governance reforms can enhance IDA’s effectiveness and accountability.
- Key UN Agency disability focal points: These individuals will share perspectives on how IDA can better align with and support global disability initiatives.
- Other disability sector entities: The exercise will include input from a range of entities operating within the disability sector, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the broader context in which IDA operates.
- The broader disability community: Regional consultations will be held to ensure that the voices of persons with disabilities from around the world are heard and considered in the reform process.
Expected Outcomes
By the conclusion of this Listening Exercise, IDA expects to achieve the following outcomes:
- A comprehensive understanding: Develop a thorough understanding of the strengths and challenges associated with the current governance reforms, ensuring that they are effective and beneficial to all stakeholders.
- Actionable recommendations: Identify and implement actionable recommendations that will enhance IDA’s governance, ensuring that the organization remains a leading and respected force within the global disability movement.
- Strengthened capacity: Bolster IDA’s capacity to respond to emerging challenges and opportunities within the disability rights landscape, positioning the organization to lead in global advocacy efforts in the medium and long term.
"IDA is committed to evolving in response to the needs of the disability movement and community. This Listening Exercise is a vital part of our journey to ensure that our governance structures are not only effective but also inclusive and representative of the diverse voices within our movement. We look forward to the insights and recommendations that will emerge from this process and are confident that it will strengthen our organization for the future," said Jose Viera, IDA interim Executive Director.