The Listening Project Issue Paper - Presence: "Why Being Here Matters"

People across many different contexts tell us that they would like to see those who are funding and implementing international assistance efforts in their communities more often. A call for shortening the distance between recipient communities, aid providers and donors was heard in many areas where both emergency aid and development assistance were provided. Recipients and observers of international assistance in these diverse contexts pointed out that donors and implementers ought to visit and spend more time with the people whose recovery and development they seek to support.

This paper explores the different dimensions of this issue of presence: who is it that communities want to see, how often and for what purpose, what people think would be gained from more presence and what the financial and other implications of frequent visits or long-term presence are for outsiders.