The SDG Communicator

The DevCom Toolkit for Development Communicators

The DevCom Toolkit contains practical advice and examples from the OECD DevCom Network. It includes specific guidance on development messaging and narratives.

A Practical Guide for Communicating Global Justice and Solidarity

This guide encourages language that promotes fairness, equality and global solidarity. It includes principles, practical examples and exercises that can help communicators apply a new approach to their work. 

RINGO Lexicon
Prototype Checklist

According to RINGO, an initiative to reimagine international NGOs hosted by the Uganda NGO Forum, many words or idioms perpetuate a colonial mindset. This checklist explains why some terms are problematic and suggests more inclusive alternatives. 

Africa No Filter: How to Write about Africa

This handbook was created with input from filmmakers, photographers, and writers working in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. It aims to challenge and change the negative and biased narratives often associated with Africa. The guide proposes 8 steps, including being respectful, checking for bias, and understanding the local context. 

Inclusive Language Guide

The Inclusive Language Guide provides advice on using language that promotes equality and respects marginalized groups. It explains why some terms should be avoided and suggests alternatives. Note, however, that this Oxfam initiative has not been free from criticism. 

Deconstructing Development Discourse

Writing from diverse locations, contributors critically examine some of the key terms in current development discourse.  

DevCom: For the COP-27 Climate Summit: A New Story on Africa & Climate Action

This blogpost, co-written with Africa Communications Week, explains the problem with prevailing narratives about Africa and climate and proposes three ways forward. 

Survival International – A Guide to Decolonize Language in Conservation

This guide is a basic resource for anyone who writes or talks about conservation, climate change and nature protection.  

The language and concepts we use when discussing environmental issues can perpetuate harmful practices and further marginalise vulnerable groups. 

OECD DevCom: Communicating on Migration and Development

DevCom highlights the main migration narratives used by development co-operation organisations. It invites communicators to ask 5 important questions before publishing any message on migration.  

International Centre for Policy Advocacy: Reframing Migration Narratives Toolkit

This toolkit is designed for campaigners wishing to engage citizens on diversity and inclusion. It calls for communications based on community-owned stories. It provides a step-by-step approach to building a narrative change campaign. Readers will find resources, planning tools and worksheets. 

Pledge for Change:
Authentic Storytelling

Pledge for Change is a commitment by International NGOs to change the current aid system. One of its streams focuses on the need to change storytelling and images to stop spreading harmful stereotypes. 

Ethical Storytelling

Ethical Storytelling is a community of nonprofit practitioners seeking to adopt a new standard of storytelling. In its podcasts, filmmakers, photographers and writers discuss failures and lessons when storytelling for NGOs. 

Oxfam: Virtual Gallery for Shifting Power

The Virtual Gallery works with artists to reflect, creatively reimagine, and bring to life a vision for radically better futures. The first exhibition, called “‘Development’: a visual story of shifting power”, is a collaboration with Colombian collage artist Hansel Obando.  

Bond: Challenging harmful visual narratives through images

Vidushi Yadav is a South Asian feminist, artist, illustrator and visual designer. Her work revolves around gender justice, south asian identity, access and right based content and she seeks to make the world a better place “one image at a time.” The article tackles the topic of white saviorism, and the need to re-imagine the choice of images to represent people in their power. Find more of her work on Instagram.

Bond: Putting the people in the pictures first

These guidelines cover filming, photography, interviewing, and the use of images and stories. They emphasize the importance of respecting the rights of the people who appear in films, photographs, and accompanying interviews. The guidelines also highlight the need to consider the potential risks and impacts on individuals and communities, as well as the ethical responsibility towards audiences. 

Dóchas: The illustrative guide of conduct on images and messages

Dóchas, the Irish Association of Non-Governmental Development Organisations, prepared a guide that provides practical examples for images and messaging when working in emergencies or using social media. It contains dedicated sections on consent, child protection, and accountability and feedback.