Workshops
Take a look at the online Ethical Communications Workshops we have run so far. There are more to come.
Ethical Communications Workshop 1 - 6 July 2023
Following the launch of the new Dóchas Guide to Ethical Communications in May, We were delighted to have Jess Crombie, who is a senior lecturer at University of Arts London (UAL) and consultant for development and humanitarian sector, lead an ethical communications workshop online on 6th July.
Ethical Communications Workshop 2, Representation – 6 December 2023
In the second of our Ethical Communications workshops, we examined the effects of our communications on people from minority backgrounds in Ireland. We were delighted to be joined by Dr. Ebun Joseph, diversity and race relations consultant and Director of the Institute of Anti-racism and Black Studies in UCD; Emer O’ Neill, who is a broadcaster, educator and anti-racism advocate and Sarah Hegarty, director of Communications with Concern Worldwide, who facilitated the webinar.
This resource hub for ethical communications training and learning was developed in association with Dr. Eilish Dillon, Maynooth University. It was grant funded through her Irish Research Council New Foundations research project: ‘Building Capacity for Ethical Global Development Communications: GCE Approaches, Learning Needs and Guidelines for Practice’ in 2024.
Dóchas Code or Guide Resource
The Illustrative Guide To The Dóchas Code Of Conduct On Images And Messages
Summary Description
The Illustrative Guide was designed to support organisations seeking to implement the Code of Conduct on Images and Messages and as a compliment to the text of the Code. It provides practical examples of good practice when using images and messages as well as when working in emergencies or using social media. It contains dedicated sections on consent, Child protection / work with vulnerable adults, and accountability and feedback.
Title: The Illustrative Guide to the Dóchas Code of Conduct on Images and Messages
Author: Dóchas Code of Conduct on Images and Messages Task Group, 2014
Publisher and year of publication: 2014
Resource Type or sub-type: Dóchas Code or Guide Resource, Good Practice Guide, Training Tools, Learning and Resource Guide, ‘How to’ Guide
Mainly suitable for: Board members; communications staff; Community leaders or educators; Contractors; Education and Public Engagement staff; Overseas Staff; Fundraising/Marketing staff; HR/Training staff; Management; Partners, Programme Staff, Volunteers
Level of Accessibility: Introductory material (easy to read or understand)
Ethical Communications Issues or Groups Addressed: Advertising and/or fundraising; Child Protection/working with vulnerable adults; Ethnocentrism, stereotypes and/or racism; Framing/narratives/stories; Gender, Disability or sexuality; Humanitarianism/climate change/conflict; Human Rights, Equality and Dignity; Images and Messages, Language; Media representations; Organisational Culture and Politics; Representations of Africa; Social Media; Solidarity
Ethical Communications Processes or Practices Addressed: Advertising or fundraising; using and archiving photography and video; Informed consent; Using Social Media; Data Protection
Good Practice Codes and Guidelines
Be The Change – A Toolkit For Taking Action Against Poverty And Injustice
Summary Description
This resource is designed to support people to engage in activism against poverty and injustice. It includes practical advice, tips and stories of how others have taken action using, for example, the media, campaigning or advocacy. While mostly focused on the practical side of taking action, some important questions about communication ethics and the use of images and messages are addressed.
Title: Be The Change – a toolkit for taking action against poverty and injustice
Author: Comhlámh
Publisher and year of publication: 2013
Resource Type or sub-type: Good Practice Codes and Guidelines; Good Practice guide; ‘How to’ Guide
Mainly suitable for: Community Leaders or Educators; Education and Public Engagement staff; Volunteers; Young People
Ethical Communications Issues or Groups Addressed: Ethnocentrism, stereotypes and/or racism; Framing/narratives/stories; Images and Messages, Language; Media representations; Social Media; Solidarity
Ethical Communications Processes or Practices Addressed: Using Social Media
Becoming Locally Led As An Anti-Racist Practice – A Guide To Support INGOs (First Draft)
Summary Description
This is a guide to support INGOs to reflect and initiate conversations internally about how they are structured and governed with a view to becoming more locally led and anti-racist. It invites organisations to reflect critically on these issues with reference to a number of key organizational elements. These include – values and culture, purpose and strategy, governance structure and decision-making, programmes and partnerships, funding relationships, human resources, evaluation and impact, and communications and marketing.
Title: Becoming Locally Led as an Anti-Racist Practice – A Guide to Support INGOs (First Draft)
Author: The Social Investment Consultancy with Bond UK
Publisher and year of publication: 2022
Resource Type or sub-type: Good Practice Codes and Guidelines; Good Practice Guide
Mainly suitable for: Board Members; Communication Staff; Education and Public Engagement Staff; Overseas Staff; Fundraising/Marketing Staff; HR/Training Staff; Management; Programme Staff
Level of Accessibility: Challenging (prior understanding, information or knowledge needed)
Ethical Communications Issues or Groups Addressed: Advertising and/or fundraising; Coloniality and De-coloniality; Ethnocentrism, stereotypes and / or racism; Gender, disability or sexuality; Images and Messages, Language; Organisational Culture and Politics; Solidarity
Ethical Communications Processes or Practices Addressed: Advertising or fundraising; Decoloniality / anti-racism; Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Putting The People In The Pictures First – Ethical Guidelines For The Collection And Use Of Content (Images and Stories)
Summary Description
These guidelines support INGOs to put contributors at the centre of the collection and use of NGO images and stories. They cover the process of filming, photography and interviewing, as well as the selection and use of images and stories, and aim to support sector-wide best practice.
Title: Putting the People in the Pictures First – Ethical Guidelines for the Collection and Use of Content (images and stories)
Author: Bond UK
Publisher and year of publication: 2019
Resource Type or sub-type: Good Practice Codes and Guidelines; Good Practice Guide; ‘How to’ guide
Mainly suitable for: Board Members; Communication Staff; Community leaders or educators; Contractors; Education and Public Engagement Staff; Overseas Staff; Fundraising/Marketing Staff; HR/Training Staff; Management; Partners; Programme Staff; Volunteers; Young people
Level of Accessibility: Introductory material (easy to read or understand)
Ethical Communications Issues or Groups Addressed: Advertising and/or fundraising; Child protection/work with vulnerable adults; Ethnocentrism, stereotypes and / or racism; Gender, disability or sexuality; Humanitarianism/climate change/conflict; Human Rights, Equality and Dignity; Images and Messages, Language; People in the pictures
Worldwise Global Schools Guide To Ethical Communication
Summary Description
This is a short guide to ethical communications primarily designed for those engaged in global citizenship education in schools and other contexts. It aims to ensure that all GCE communications reflect the global justice values of equality, solidarity and shared learning and it includes reflection questions based around the guiding principles reflected in communications; the representation of individuals, groups, communities, crises and global issues; how communications promote solidarity and empathy or not and how they represent context; and informed consent.
Title: Worldwise Global Schools Guide to Ethical Communication
Author: Worldwise Global Schools, September 2024
Publisher and year of publication: 2024
Resource Type or sub-type: Good Practice Codes and Guidelines; Good Practice Guide; Training Tools, Learning and Resource Guide
Mainly suitable for: Communication Staff; Community leaders or educators; Education and Public Engagement Staff; Fundraising/Marketing Staff; HR/Training Staff
Level of Accessibility: Introductory material (easy to read or understand)
Ethical Communications Issues or Groups Addressed: Ethnocentrism, stereotypes and / or racism; Framing/narratives/stories; Human Rights, Equality and Dignity; Images and Messages, Language; Social Media; Solidarity
Ethical Communications Processes or Practices Addressed: Informed Consent; Using Social Media
Ethical Content Guidelines: Upholding The Rights Of The People In The Pictures In Content Gathering, Management And Use (2nd Edition)
Siobhán Warrington and Wouter Fransen, Oxfam International, 2020
Summary Description
These guidelines are particularly focused on Oxfam’s work but they are applicable to those in other INGOs. They focus on the gathering, management and use of content, with the aim of ensuring that every stage of this process is ethical, upholding contributors’ rights to participate and be heard, to experience respect and dignity, to make free and informed decisions, and to be protected from risk and harm. Chapters cover various issues related to content including working with various groups, mitigating risks to contributors, informed consent, working with children and vulnerable adults and integrity and accuracy in communications.
Title: Ethical Content Guidelines: Upholding the rights of the people in the pictures in content gathering, management and use (2nd edition)
Author: Siobhán Warrington and Wouter Fransen, Oxfam International
Publisher and year of publication
2020: Resource Type or sub-type
Good Practice Codes and Guidelines; Good practice Guide
Mainly suitable for: Board members; Communication Staff; Community leaders or educators; Contractors; Education and Public Engagement Staff; Overseas staff; Fundraising/Marketing Staff; HR/Training Staff; Management; Partners; Programme Staff; Volunteers
Level of Accessibility: Introductory material (easy to read or understand)
Ethical Communications Issues or Groups Addressed: Advertising and/or fundraising; Child Protection/work with vulnerable adults; Ethnocentrism, stereotypes and / or racism; Framing/narratives/stories; Gender, disability or sexuality; Humanitarianism/climate change/conflict; Human Rights, Equality and Dignity; Images and Messages, Language; Media representations; People in the pictures; Social Media
Inclusive Language Guide
Helen Wishart for Oxfam GB, 2023
Summary Description
This is a support guide to encourage people to think about the power of language as well as the language (including images and messages) used in communications. It is not designed as a prescriptive ‘how to’ guide but rather as a tool for reflection on the most appropriate language to use in particular circumstances based on the feminist principles for language use of diversity, power sharing, safety, ‘nothing about us without us’, care and solidarity, inclusion and belonging, and ‘personal is political’. It also explores language use informed by disability, physical and mental health; gender justice, sexual diversity and women’s rights; migration; and race, power and decolonization.
Title: Inclusive Language Guide
Author: Helen Wishart for Oxfam GB
Publisher and year of publication: 2023
Resource Type or sub-type: Good Practice Codes and Guidelines; Language Guide
Mainly suitable for: Board members; Communication Staff; Community leaders or educators; Contractors; Education and Public Engagement Staff; Overseas staff; Fundraising/Marketing Staff; HR/Training Staff; Management; Partners; Programme Staff; Volunteers; Young people
Level of Accessibility: Introductory material (easy to read or understand)
Ethical Communications Issues or Groups Addressed: Child Protection/work with vulnerable adults; Coloniality and De-Coloniality; Ethnocentrism, stereotypes and / or racism; Framing/narratives/stories; Gender, disability or sexuality; Humanitarianism/climate change/conflict; Human Rights, Equality and Dignity; Images and Messages, Language; Organisational Culture and Politics; People in the pictures; Representations of Africa; Solidarity
Ethical Communications Processes or Practices Addressed: Decoloniality/anti-racism; Cultural competency; Equality, Diversity and Inclusion; Informed Consent
Time to Decolonise Aid: Insights and lessons from a global consultation (Full Report)
Peace Direct, 2021
Summary Description
This report presents the findings and recommendations from an online three-day consultation with 158 activists, decision- makers, academics, journalists and practitioners engaged in the humanitarian, development and peacebuilding sectors across the globe. The main recommendations arising from the consultation are held in the executive summary at the start of the report with details of the main issues around decolonizing aid in the following sections. These include sections on language around decolonizing aid, exploration of structural racism within and the colonial legacy of aid, and what a manifesto for decolonizing aid would look like. Participant quotes and insights are interspersed throughout the report as are short case studies and opinion pieces.
Title: Time to Decolonise Aid: Insights and lessons from a global consultation (Full Report)
Author: Peace Direct
Publisher and year of publication: 2021
Resource Type or sub-type: Good Practice Codes and Guidelines; Relevant research; Good Practice Guide; Training tools, Learning and Resource Guide; Language Guide; Background Information, research or policy
Mainly suitable for: Board members; Communication Staff; Community leaders or educators; Education and Public Engagement Staff; Overseas staff; Fundraising/Marketing Staff; HR/Training Staff; Management; Partners; Programme Staff
Level of Accessibility: Introductory material (easy to read or understand); challenging (prior understanding, information or knowledge needed)
Ethical Communications Issues or Groups Addressed: Advertising and/or fundraising; Child Protection/work with vulnerable adults; Coloniality and De-Coloniality; Ethnocentrism, stereotypes and / or racism; Framing/narratives/stories; Gender, disability or sexuality; Humanitarianism/climate change/conflict; Human Rights, Equality and Dignity; Images and Messages, Language; Organisational Culture and Politics; People in the pictures, Representations of Africa, Solidarity
Ethical Communications Processes or Practices Addressed: Advertising or Fundraising; Decoloniality/anti-racism; Cultural Competency; Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
How to Communicate the World: A Social Media Guide for Volunteers and Travelers
Radi-Aid
Summary Description
This is a very short guide for international volunteers and travelers to help them to communicate ethically while they are overseas and when documenting their experiences afterwards. Aiming to support people to avoid the erosion of dignity and respect the right to privacy while documenting their experiences abroad, it is framed around four key principles: promote dignity; question your intentions; gain informed consent; and bring down stereotypes. It also offers a checklist to follow before people post on social media.
Title: How to Communicate the World: A Social Media Guide for Volunteers and Travelers
Author: Radi-Aid
Resource Type or sub-type: Good Practice Codes and Guidelines; Good Practice Guide
Mainly suitable for: Education and Public Engagement Staff; HR/Training Staff; Volunteers; Young People
Level of Accessibility: Introductory material (easy to read or understand)
Ethical Communications Issues or Groups Addressed: Ethnocentrism, Stereotypes and/or racism; Human Rights, Equality and Dignity; Images and messages, Language; People in the pictures; Social Media
Ethical Communications Processes or Practices Addressed: Informed Consent; Using Social Media
Humanitarian Handbook
Trócaire
Summary Description
This handbook is primarily designed for Trócaire staff, exploring Trócaire’s approach, policies and principles for humanitarian work and offering guidance in designing, implementing and monitoring quality humanitarian programmes. Among the many chapters and issues addressed are a chapter on communications and some guidelines around working with the media. While not primarily addressing ethical communications, it offers some practical guidelines on how the Dóchas Code of Conduct on Images and Messages can be translated into various aspects of humanitarian work.
Title: Humanitarian Handbook
Author: Trócaire
Resource Type or sub-type: Good Practice Codes and Guidelines, Good Practice Guide
Mainly suitable for: Communications staff; Overseas staff; Fundraising/marketing staff
Level of Accessibility: Challenging (prior understanding, information or knowledge needed)
Ethical Communications Issues or Groups Addressed: Child Protection/work with vulnerable adults; Humanitarianism/climate change/conflict; Human Rights, Equality, Dignity; Images and messages, Language; Media representations; People in the pictures; Social Media
Ethical Communications Processes or Practices Addressed: Using and archiving photography and video; Informed Consent; Handling sensitive information; Using Social Media; Data Protection
Anti-racism and Decolonising: A Framework for Organisations
Bond UK, 2023
Summary Description
This short resource offers a framework to help organisations to tackle and dismantle racism through including everyone in an organization and all aspects of an organisation’s work and governance. It argues that Decoloniality / anti-racism and racial equity lenses have been missing from the work on localization in recent years but that they are necessary in order to address the colonial system of oppression underpinning international development organization and practice. The resources focuses on a number of questions raised for people in different roles in INGOs, e.g., from CEOs to HR professionals, around diversity, power, positionality and Decoloniality / anti-racism policies related to different aspects of organizational life.
Title: Anti-racism and Decolonising: A Framework for Organisations
Author: Bond UK
Resource Type or sub-type: Good Practice Codes and Guidelines; Good Practice Guide
Mainly suitable for: Board members; Communications staff; Community leaders or educators; Contractors; Education and Public Engagement staff; Overseas staff; Fundraising/marketing staff; HR Training staff; Management; Partners; Programme Staff
Level of Accessibility: Challenging (prior understanding, information or knowledge needed)
Ethical Communications Issues or Groups Addressed: Advertising and/or fundraising; Coloniality and De-Coloniality; Images and messages, Language; Organisational Culture and Politics; People in the pictures
Ethical Communications Processes or Practices Addressed: Decoloniality/ Anti-racism
Laying the Foundations for DEI Work in your Organization: An Introduction to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Training Resources for the Environmental Community (TREC), 2016
Summary Description
This webinar (one hour and thirty minutes) explores the what, why and how of DEI for organisations. Primarily addressing those in the conservation sector, it is a useful introduction to the concepts of diversity, equity and inclusion and to strategies for implementing the principles of DEI in practice.
Title: Laying the Foundations for DEI Work in your Organization: An Introduction to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Author: Training Resources for the Environmental Community (TREC)
Resource Type or sub-type: Good Practice Codes and Guidelines; Good Practice Guide; Training tools; Video blog Podcast or Webinar
Mainly suitable for: Board members; Communications staff; Education and Public Engagement staff; HR Training staff; Management
Level of Accessibility: Challenging (prior understanding, information or knowledge needed)
Ethical Communications Issues or Groups Addressed: Ethnocentrism, stereotypes and/or racism; Gender, disability or sexuality; Human Rights, Equality and Dignity; Images and messages, Language; Organisational Culture and Politics
Ethical Communications Processes or Practices Addressed: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Decolonising SOAS: Learning and Teaching Toolkit
Decolonising SOAS Working Group, 2018
Summary Description
This resource, developed by for SOAS at the University of London is a useful guide, especially for those in higher education who are concerned about decolonizing their curricula and institutions. Primarily intended as a briefing document for programme and module convenors, it is also useful for other educators and INGOs as a guide for thinking through the multi-faceted dimensions of decolonizing education, training and learning, as well as wider communications and cultures, within organisations. It aims to stimulate reflection, dialogue and changes in education practice, exploring experiences of racism and racialized inequalities as well as case studies, and questions and suggestions around pedagogies.
Title: Decolonising SOAS: Learning and Teaching Toolkit
Author: Decolonising SOAS Working Group
Date: 2018
Resource Type or sub-type: Good Practice Codes and Guidelines; Training and Learning Resource, Good Practice Guide; Training tools, Learning and Resource Guide
Mainly suitable for: Education and Public Engagement staff; Management
Level of Accessibility: Difficult (complex language or ideas but useful for detail and for those with prior knowledge, understanding and information about the issue)
Ethical Communications Issues or Groups Addressed: Coloniality and De-coloniality; Ethnocentrism, stereotypes and/or racism
Ethical Communications Processes or Practices Addressed: Decoloniality/anti-racism
Concern Worldwide: Language Matters
Concern Worldwide, 2024
Summary Description
This is a language guide for Concern Worldwide based on its belief in equality. It identifies problematic words and phrases that are
considered problematic and those that they would like to use more of in their communications.
Title: Concern Worldwide: Language Matters
Author: Concern Worldwide
Date: 2024
Resource Type or sub-type: Good Practice Codes and Guidelines; Language Guide
Mainly suitable for: Board members; Communications staff; Community leaders or educators; Contractors; Education and Public Engagement staff; Overseas staff; fundraising/marketing staff; HR training; Management; Partners; Programme Staff; Volunteers; Young People
Level of Accessibility: Introductory material (easy to read or understand)
Ethical Communications Issues or Groups Addressed: Framing/narratives/stories; Human Rights, Equality and Dignity; Images and Messages; Media representations
Ethical Communications Processes or Practices Addressed: Handling sensitive information
Training and Learning Resource
E-Tick Online Course on Ethical Communications
ethicalcommunication.org, 2020
Summary Description
E-Tick is a self-paced, free-to-access, online course for those wanting to further their critical thinking skills, explore different angles on communication (including ethics and power), and strengthen their media literacy skills, such as knowledge of how social media works. The course comprises various readings and reflections, webinars and online materials which guide learners to reflect on what their readings can tell them about themselves and how their communications (and those of others) are always of consequence. Topics addressed include power and communication, stereotyping and its relationships with prejudice and discrimination, the problem with good intentions, perspectives on global development, and digital literacy for the new media age.
Title: E-Tick Online Course on Ethical Communications
Author: ethicalcommunication.org
Date: 2020
Resource Type or sub-type: Training and Learning Resource, Training tools
Mainly suitable for: Board members; Communications staff; Community leaders or educators; Contractors; Education and Public Engagement staff; Overseas staff; fundraising/marketing staff; HR/Training staff; Management; Partners; Programme Staff; Volunteers; Young people
Level of Accessibility: Introductory material (easy to read or understand)
Ethical Communications Issues or Groups Addressed: Advertising and/or fundraising; Coloniality and De-coloniality; Ethnocentrism, stereotypes and/or racism; Framing/narratives/stories; Images and Messages; Media representations; People in the pictures; Social Media; Solidarity
Ethical Communications Processes or Practices Addressed: Decoloniality/anti-racism; Cultural Competency
Decolonising SOAS: Learning and Teaching Toolkit
Summary Description
This resource, developed by for SOAS at the University of London is a useful guide, especially for those in higher education who are concerned about decolonizing their curricula and institutions. Primarily intended as a briefing document for programme and module convenors, it is also useful for other educators and INGOs as a guide for thinking through the multi-faceted dimensions of decolonizing education, training and learning, as well as wider communications and cultures, within organisations. It aims to stimulate reflection, dialogue and changes in education practice, exploring experiences of racism and racialized inequalities as well as case studies, and questions and suggestions around pedagogies.
Title: Decolonising SOAS: Learning and Teaching Toolkit
Author: Decolonising SOAS Working Group
Date: 2018
Resource Type or sub-type: Good Practice Codes and Guidelines; Training and Learning Resource, Good Practice Guide; Training tools, Learning and Resource Guide
Mainly suitable for: Education and Public Engagement staff; management
Level of Accessibility: Difficult (complex language or ideas but useful for detail and for those with prior knowledge, understanding and information about the issue)
Ethical Communications Issues or Groups Addressed: Coloniality and De-coloniality; Ethnocentrism, stereotypes and/or racism
Ethical Communications Processes or Practices Addressed: Decoloniality/anti-racism
Relevant Research
Shifting the Lens on Ethical Communications in Global Development: A Focus on NGDOs in Ireland
Eilish Dillon, 2021
Summary Description
Dr. Eilish Dillon was commissioned by Dóchas to carry out a review and research into the Dóchas Code of Conduct and into the wider area of ethical communications in the Irish international development sector. The review called for an update to the Dóchas Code of Conduct on Images and Messages and the Illustrative Guide on the Dóchas Code.
Title: Shifting the Lens on Ethical Communications in Global Development: A Focus on NGDOs in Ireland
Author: Eilish Dillon
Publisher and year of publication: 2021
Resource Type or sub-type: Relevant research, Background information, research or policy
Mainly suitable for: Board members; Communications staff; Management
Level of Accessibility: Challenging (prior understanding, information or knowledge needed)
Ethical Communications Issues or Groups Addressed: Advertising and/or fundraising; Child Protection/working with vulnerable adults; Ethnocentrism, stereotypes and / or racism; Framing / narratives / stories; Humanitarianism / climate change/ conflict; Human Rights, Equality and Dignity; Images and Messages; Media representations; Organisational Culture and Politics; People in the pictures; Representations of Africa; Social Media
Ethical Communications Processes or Practices Addressed: Advertising or fundraising; Equality, Diversity and Inclusion; Using and archiving photography and video; Using Social Media; Informed Consent
Review of the Code of Conduct on Images and Messages (2010 – 2012)
Eilish Dillon, 2012
Summary Description
This report presents the findings from a participatory research and consultation process among Dóchas Code (of conduct on Images and Messages) signatories between 2010 and 2012. Among its recommendations were the development of an ‘Illustrative Guide’ to good
practice as well as more robust support, implementation, monitoring and review mechanisms.
Title: Review of the Code of Conduct on Images and Messages (2010 – 2012): Draft Report for the Dóchas Board.
Author: Eilish Dillon
Publisher and year of publication: March 5th, 2012
Resource Type or sub-type: Relevant research, Background information, research or policy
Mainly suitable for: Board members; Communications staff; HR/Training staff; management
Level of Accessibility: Introductory material (easy to read or understand)
Ethical Communications Issues or Groups Addressed: Advertising and/or fundraising; Child Protection/working with vulnerable adults; Ethnocentrism, stereotypes and / or racism; Framing / narratives / stories; Humanitarianism / climate change/ conflict; Human Rights, Equality and Dignity; Images and Messages; Media representations; Organisational Culture and Politics; Representations of Africa; Social Media
Ethical Communications Processes or Practices Addressed: Advertising or fundraising; using and archiving photography and video; Informed Consent
Updates on UNICEF’s work towards addressing anti-racism and discrimination: Background note
UNICEF Executive Board – Annual Session, 1–4 June 2021
Summary Description
This short document outlines the UNICEF Executive Board considerations of Task Team findings and recommendations to address racism in its work.
Title: Updates on UNICEF’s work towards addressing anti-racism and discrimination: Background note
Author: UNICEF Executive Board – Annual Session
Date: 1-4 June, 2021
Resource Type or sub-type: Relevant Research, Background information, research or policy
Mainly suitable for: Board members, Management
Level of Accessibility: Challenging (prior understanding, information or knowledge needed)
Ethical Communications Issues or Groups Addressed: Advertising and/or fundraising; Child protection/work with vulnerable adults; Gender, disability and sexuality; Images and messages; Organisational Culture and Politics
Ethical Communications Processes or Practices Addressed: Decoloniality/anti-racism; Equality, Diversity and Inclusion; Handling sensitive information
Who Owns the Story? Live financial testing of charity vs participant led storytelling in fundraising
Jess Crombie and David Girling, March 2022
Summary Description
This report explores the findings of research carried out to test the relative impact of participant-led fundraising vs organization-generated fundraising. In the case studied, participant-led fundraising raised more money and had a more positive impact on those involved overall. The report explores and analyses the findings, offering recommendations for INGOs wishing to change the way they tell stories.
Title: Who Owns the Story? Live financial testing of charity vs participant led storytelling in fundraising
Author: Jess Crombie and David Girling
Date: March 2022
Resource Type or sub-type: Relevant Research; Background information, research or policy
Mainly suitable for: Board members; Communications staff; Education and Public Engagement staff; fundraising/marketing staff; HR/Training staff; Management; Partners; Programme Staff
Level of Accessibility: Challenging (prior understanding, information or knowledge needed)
Ethical Communications Issues or Groups Addressed: Advertising and/or fundraising; Ethnocentrism, stereotypes and/or racism; Images and messages; Media representations; Organisational Culture and Politics; People in the pictures; Representations of Africa; Social Media; Solidarity
Ethical Communications Processes or Practices Addressed: Advertising or fundraising
Finding Frames: New ways to engage the public in global poverty
Andrew Darnton with Martin Kirk, January 2011
Summary Description
This report applies frame theory to an exploration of public engagement in development in the UK. Considering public perceptions of poverty and drawing on secondary research and consultation with key personnel in the development sector, it identifies more positive frames for development and implications for practice.
Title: Finding Frames: New ways to engage the public in global poverty
Author: Andrew Darnton with Martin Kirk
Date: March 2011
Resource Type or sub-type: Relevant Research; Background information, research or policy
Mainly suitable for: Communications staff; Education and Public Engagement staff; fundraising/marketing staff; Management,
Level of Accessibility: Challenging (prior understanding, information or knowledge needed)
Ethical Communications Issues or Groups Addressed: Advertising and/or fundraising; Framing/narratives/stories; Human Rights, Equality and Dignity
Ethical Communications Processes or Practices Addressed: Advertising or fundraising
Finding Irish Frames - Exploring how Irish NGO’s communicate with the public
Caroline Murphy, 2014
Summary Description
This report draws on frame theory and the report by Darton and Kirk (2011) on Finding Frames to explore development representations among INGOs in Ireland. The research involved a content analysis of NGO communications including websites, videos, advertising, social media, and written materials such as reports, articles, direct mail and e-news. It found that the following frames dominated INGO communications: charity, help the poor, and poverty, with the transaction frame identified as the dominant call to action. The solution to poverty was framed as in the hands of the potential donor and the NGO. Significantly, gender stereotyping and infantilization was found to be widespread with women and children primarily portrayed as the beneficiaries or victims, and images of poster children dominating the materials.
Title: Finding Irish Frames – Exploring how Irish NGO’s communicate with the public
Author: Caroline Murphy
Date: 2014
Resource Type or sub-type: Relevant Research, Background information, research or policy
Mainly suitable for: Board members; Communications staff; Community leaders or educators; Education and Public Engagement staff; Overseas staff; fundraising/marketing staff; HR/training staff; Management; Partners; Programme Staff; Volunteers
Level of Accessibility: Challenging (prior understanding, information or knowledge needed)
Ethical Communications Issues or Groups Addressed: Advertising and/or fundraising, Child protection/work with vulnerable adults, Coloniality and De-coloniality, Ethnocentrism, stereotypes and/or racism, Framing/narratives/stories, Humanitarianism/climate change, conflicts, Human Rights, Equality and Dignity, Images and Messages, Media representations, Organisational Culture and Politics, People in the pictures, Representations of Africa, Social Media, Solidarity
Ethical Communications Processes or Practices Addressed: Advertising or fundraising; Using social media
Putting Critical Learning at the Heart of Ethical Global Development Communications among INGOs
Eilish Dillon, 2024
Summary Description
This is Dr. Eilish Dillon’s research on the training and learning aspects of ethical Global Development communications, which was undertaken to support the implementation of the Guide to Ethical Communications (Dóchas 2023). It reiterates the importance of ethical GD communications and suggests renewed commitment on the part of INGOs in Ireland to good practice in this area
Title: Putting Critical Learning at the Heart of Ethical Global Development Communications among INGOs
Author: Eilish Dillon
Publisher and year of publication: 2024
Resource Type or sub-type: Relevant research, Background information, research or policy
Mainly suitable for: Board members; Communications staff; Education and Public Engagement staff; Overseas Staff; HR/Training Staff; Management
Level of Accessibility: Challenging (prior understanding, information or knowledge needed)
Ethical Communications Issues or Groups Addressed: Advertising and/or fundraising; Coloniality and De-coloniality; Ethnocentrism, stereotypes and / or racism; Humanitarianism / climate change/ conflict; Human Rights, Equality and Dignity; Images and Messages; Organisational Culture and Politics; Representations of Africa; Social Media
Ethical Communications Processes or Practices Addressed: Advertising or fundraising; Coloniality and De-coloniality; Equality, Diversity and Inclusion; Using Social Media; Informed Consent