GETTING INVOLVED!

What is your experience of  accessing development? If you have something that you'd like to contribute to our blog in 2025, please do get in touch!  We'd also like to hear from people involved in development who might be willing to speak at future events

Could you organise a  discussion about international development  - perhaps in your school, youth group, association or just amongst a group of friends?   If so we'll be happy to help by pointing the way to materials and perhaps providing a speaker.

Our first major report - A Profession for the privileged? - is now available..  We have also produced the first in our series of evidence briefings on Diversity Monitoring in International Development Organisations.  We welcome feedback, ideas for future reports - and even offers to write them!

We expect to appoint up to four new Trustees between May and December 2025.  

Trustees play a critical role in developing our future strategy.  They also have legal responsibility for ensuring that we meet our charitable objectives.  In a small organisation such as ours Trustees have a hands-on role in making things happen.  We’d expect a minimum time commitment of ten hours per month, including attendance at regular Trustee meetings every four to six weeks. 

All Trustees should be passionate about international development and share our objectives of bringing international development to a wider audience and making the profession accessible to all.  Within this, we have a particular interest in the following:

• One trustee with experience of charity finance and governance
• Trustees with experience in event organisation
• Trustees with an interest in campaigning and lobbying
• Trustees with an understanding of economic and social mobility issues 

We would like to achieve a balance of Trustees from across the NGO, government, academic and private sectors.   We are also committed to appointing at least one (and possibly more) Trustees who are at an early stage of their career - perhaps studying development, seeking employment or employed in their first role in the sector.   We will ensure that training and support is available for those not familiar with Trustee responsibilities.

Trustees normally serve for a three year term, with the possibility of renewal.  Since our activities will be nationally based for the present, we’re currently only seeking applications from people who live or work in the UK.  This does not exclude those on contracts overseas.  Trustee roles are unpaid, but agreed out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed.

If you’re interested,please contact our Chair, Dr John Kirkland, atjohn_kirkland@diversityindevelopment.org.uk.

Please say a few words (no more than 250) about how and why you could contribute. Please attach a brief cv of no more than one page to summarise your background and expertise.  

Diversity in Development has no paid employees.   As our activities expand, we’re keen to enlist volunteer help in the main areas of our activity, which include:

·  Organising and maintaining our mailing list of supporters

·  Maintaining an active web and social media presence

·  Supporting and attending events

·  Helping with research and survey activity

·  Advising the Trustees on key areas of our work

We’re very aware of the need to ensure that volunteering posts are open to all.  We do our best to make volunteering as flexible as possible, so that it can befitted around other activities, meet agreed out of pocket expenses and ensure that volunteers gain experience and recognition that will benefit them in future.   You’ll also have the satisfaction of knowing that your work makes a real difference in the development of our organisation.

If you're interested, please contact any of our Trustees, or the Chair at john.kirkland@diversityindevelopment.org.uk

Don’t be shy!

– .