Statement: “Empowering local communities to lead their own development and humanitarian responses is not just a strategy—it’s a necessity. By localizing aid, we build resilience, foster ownership, and ensure that assistance is culturally relevant and sustainable.” — Ali Al Mokdad
Strategic Perspective: Ali Al Mokdad is a strong proponent of the localization of aid, advocating for the empowerment of local actors as a key element of sustainable development. He believes that international agencies should shift from being implementers to enablers, supporting local organizations in taking the lead on the ground. Ali’s approach emphasizes the transfer of skills, knowledge, and resources to local entities, thereby reducing dependency on external aid.
His vision for localization includes building the capacity of local organizations to ensure they can respond effectively to crises while also tailoring interventions to the cultural and socio-economic context of the communities served. Ali has championed initiatives that prioritize local leadership and ownership, ensuring that aid efforts are more sustainable, efficient, and impactful in the long run.
A cornerstone of Ali’s approach is the belief in the power of partnerships. He advocates for close collaboration between international agencies and local communities, working together to design and implement programs that reflect local needs and priorities. By fostering strong partnerships, Ali ensures that local expertise is not only respected but also elevated, creating a more equitable and effective aid model.
Ali’s work underscores the importance of empowering local communities to take ownership of their development. He emphasizes that sustainable development is best achieved when local communities are fully engaged as equal partners in the process. This approach not only enhances the relevance and effectiveness of aid but also builds the resilience of communities to manage their own development in the long term.
Future Vision: Ali envisions a future where the localization of aid becomes the standard practice in humanitarian and development efforts. He aims to see a global shift towards empowering local organizations to take full control of development initiatives, with international agencies acting as facilitators and supporters.
Ali’s future vision includes the establishment of robust local networks capable of independently managing crises and development projects, supported by global knowledge sharing and technical assistance. He believes this approach will lead to more resilient communities and sustainable outcomes, ultimately reducing the need for external intervention. Ali also emphasizes that every stakeholder—whether local or international—has a role to play in this vision. By working closely together, sharing expertise, and fostering mutual respect, we can create a development model that is truly inclusive and sustainable, where small actions at the local level lead to significant, long-lasting impacts on a global scale.