Collaborate now for future generations: working together with joined-up, long-term thinking to achieve global justice
We were delighted to be joined by our members and community at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh, and online, for our 2024 Annual Conference, exploring the power and necessity of collaboration in order to create a fairer world for future generations.
Introduction
We all know that we can achieve more together, and joined-up thinking (and doing) gets better results. But still we see silo-ed approaches across our sector, in programming and policy-making. How can we unify to be more coherent in the service of global sustainable development, and work to remove the contradictions in our approaches?
This year’s conference was hosted at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh, and streamed online for those who attended remotely, and featured keynote speakers, interactive panel discussions, lightning presentations, and networking opportunities.
As always, speakers came from the global sustainable development community in Scotland and beyond, along with other experts in their field. Panel sessions considered the importance of joined-up policy making, holistic approaches to the SDGs, and the importance of future generations. The conference was chaired by Talat Yaqoob, campaigner, researcher and writer.
We hope you enjoyed this exciting and informative event, where you had the chance to connect with other professionals, experts, and practitioners working in the global sustainable development sector, share your experiences and challenges, and learn from best practices and success stories.
If you missed any of the sessions or would like to revisit them, you can access the recording of the live stream below.
Watch the livestream
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Speakers

Chitimbwa Chifunda
Head of Policy, Campaigns & Communication at WaterAid
Chitimbwa Chifunda is a seasoned expert in policy, influencing and advocacy with over 15 years of experience in the development sector. She has led and coordinated national and local efforts working on a range of issues such as maternal, neonatal and child health, HIV/AIDS, water sanitation and hygiene and public finance. Her expertise includes strategy development, policy influencing, campaign design & implementation, economic analysis, and corporate communications.
In her current role, at WaterAid Zambia as Head of Policy, Campaigns and Communications, Chitimbwa drives key advocacy initiatives and strategic engagement to advance water and sanitation goals. Notably, Chitimbwa coordinated the development of the WaterAid Zambia 2023-2028 Country Program Strategy. Worked on driving political will to eliminate Cholera in 2019. Additionally, she led WaterAid Zambia successful engagements in the 2021 General Elections to raise the profile of WASH on the political agenda. In previous roles, she also played a pivotal role in World Vision Zambia’s participation in the 69th World Health Assembly in Geneva in 2016, influencing resolutions on infant nutrition.
Chitimbwa Chifunda has a BA (Economics) from the University of Zambia and a Post Graduate Diploma in International Development from the University of Birmingham.

Craig Dalzell
Head of Policy & Research, Common Weal
Dr Craig Dalzell, Head of Policy & Research, Common Weal. Craig is a laser physicist by training but, via the 2014 independence referendum and a somewhat strange series of events in the aftermath, found himself in the world of public policy commenting on multiple subjects such as economics, energy, environment, housing and others.
He has authored several dozen policy papers for Common Weal, co-authored multiple books – including the world’s first fully costed national-scale Green New Deal blueprint – and was an expert witness to the 2021 Scottish Climate Assembly.

Favour
Save the Children, Malawi
Favour, a 13-year-old from Ntcheu District in Central Malawi, has been serving as Speaker of the Ntcheu District Children’s Parliament since 2022. She is deeply committed to advocating for children’s rights and ensuring their voices are heard.
In addition to her parliamentary role, Favour takes an active lead at school as a Child Facilitator in the Girls Guide Club. She leads discussions on various children’s rights issues, inspiring her peers, particularly those not attending school, to return to school, join the club, and educate themselves on their rights.
Favour’s influence extends beyond her immediate community. She represents her peers at national events, such as the Climate Summit and the National Children’s Parliament, engaging with influential stakeholders to advocate for children’s rights at a broader level.
Notably, Favour represented Malawian children at the 2024 United Nations Civil Society Conference, where she shared her views on shaping the future alongside other children.

Colin Galbraith
Chair of NatureScot
In June 2023, Professor Colin Galbraith was appointed as the Chair of NatureScot by the Scottish Ministers. With a lifelong commitment to nature conservation, both locally and globally, Colin brings a wealth of experience and passion to his new role. He previously served as the Chair of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee from January 2021.
Colin’s journey in nature conservation began with a deep-seated passion for the environment. Over the years, he has directed his efforts towards various environmental issues, both in the UK and on a global scale. As the Director of his own environmental consultancy, he tackles diverse challenges related to nature and the environment.

Johannes Gonani
Cofounder of Pachedu
Born and bred in Zimbabwe and currently living and working in Scotland since 2005. Johannes is a ‘Christian, husband and father’. His passion is working with diverse ethnic communities, and he is the Co-founder and Operations Manager of Pachedu charity.
Pachedu was set up in 2016 to help ethnically diverse groups in the West of Scotland be more visible and pro-active in shaping their communities. Johannes also works part-time as Project Coordinator at West of Scotland Regional Equality Council; he is an appointed church Elder at Zion Christian Church and sits on the Board of Directors for Engage Renfrewshire and West End Community Growing Growers Association (WEGGA).

Frances Guy
CEO of Scotland's International Development Alliance
Frances has been the CEO of Scotland’s International Development Alliance since 2021. She was born and educated in Scotland, Italy, and Canada before embarking on an international career that has taken her principally to the Horn of Africa and the Arabic speaking world, including Iraq, Lebanon, and Yemen. Frances worked for Christian Aid between 2014 – 2017 as head of their Middle East team based in London. Most recently she was gender team leader for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) regional office in the Arab states. She was Representative for UNWomen in Iraq from May 2012 to December 2014 and before that she had a long career in the British Diplomatic Service during which she served as British Ambassador to Lebanon (2006 -2011) and to Yemen (2001 -2004).
Frances holds overall responsibility for the operational management of the organisation. This includes leading the development of SIDA’s strategy and business plan, and overseeing the delivery of both.

Mirysht Hoshang
Young Board Member of Glasgow Afghan United
Mirysht Hoshang is a student at Saint Roch’s Secondary School. Over the past four years, she has led her robotics team to become a top 10 finalist in the UK First Lego League and won the ‘Best Use of Theme’ award at The Scottish European Educational Trust (SEET).
As a young board member of Glasgow Afghan United, she supports new refugees with IT, language, and settlement. Additionally, she volunteers with Glasgow Golden Generation, assisting elderly individuals with physical and mental problems.

Nancy Kankam Kusi
Coordinator of the RINGO Project
Nancy Kankam Kusi, co-ordinator of the RINGO project, reimagining the role of INGOs with experience in international development, development research and knowledge management. Currently, she is the Programme Officer of Knowledge Management at the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI). At WACSI, she is leading in curating, documenting, packaging and sharing learnings and knowledge on civil society to facilitate growth in the civil society ecosystem.
Nancy also leads a diverse team of civil society actors to initiate and implement international development programs that promote community philanthropy, shifting power and resources to the grassroots, localising and decolonising development initiatives in the global south. She is the idea career for the Decolonising Advisory Community.

Wendy Kimpton
Director of Strategy and Regulation at Scottish Water
Wendy has worked in the water industry for more than 20 years. For 15 years she worked at Yorkshire Water where she held several operational and regulatory leadership roles including most recently as Head of Regulation.
She then joined PA as an Associate Partner working with several companies on their long-term ambitions and their strategic and tactical approaches to the 2024 Price Review in England and Wales. The focus of Wendy’s role is on strategy development and economic regulation, leading and ensuring an effective relationship with the Water Industry Commission for Scotland as we plan for the next regulatory period.
She is committed to ensuring the industry remains resilient and efficient and meets the needs of communities whilst protecting the environment.

Dr Philile Mbatha
Deputy Director of Ocean Hub
Philile is the Deputy Director of the One Ocean Hub at the University of Strathclyde and a Senior Lecturer in the Environmental and Geographical Science Department at the University of Cape Town.
Her research is transdisciplinary in nature and focuses on broader themes of environmental and ocean governance, sustainable livelihoods, sustainable development and social justice. It focuses on bridging the gap between policy and praxis in marine and coastal sectors such as fisheries, mining, conservation and tourism – especially where indigenous or customary communities living on the coast in the global South are affected by multi-scalar and multi-level governance processes and practices relating to these and other blue economy activities.
She is actively involved in policy processes that facilitate dialogue between government, the private sector, policy makers and local communities whose knowledge systems are usually overlooked or excluded in decision-making about resource governance and sustainability.

Lord Jack McConnell
Former First Minister of Scotland
The Rt Hon Lord Jack McConnell served as First Minister of Scotland between 2001 and 2007, before being appointed to the House of Lords as Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale in 2010. He became a Vice-President for Unicef UK in 2015.
Lord McConnell received the degree of Doctor of the University in October 2008, in recognition of his contribution to public affairs.
He was the Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Peacebuilding from 2008 to 2010, and Education Adviser to the Clinton Hunter Development Initiative in Malawi and Rwanda.
Lord McConnell is the Founder and Chair of the Board of Trustees of the McConnell International Foundation. He is involved as an ambassador, patron and board member of several international and UK-based non-government organisations.

Aileen McLeod
Director at WEAll Scotland
Aileen is Director of the Wellbeing Economy Alliance Scotland (WEAll Scotland). WEAll Scotland was established in 2018 and is Scotland’s leading network of organisations and individuals committed to redesigning our economy. We are working together to create a Wellbeing Economy in Scotland that delivers social justice on a healthy planet.
Aileen has spent many years in public policy advocating for and advising on the Wellbeing Economy agenda both in Scotland and at the EU and international level. She is also a member of the Global Council of the Wellbeing Economy Alliance.
Aileen has served in the Scottish Government as Minister for Environment, Climate Change, and Land Reform; in the Scottish Parliament as MSP for South Scotland; and in the European Parliament as an MEP representing Scotland.

Othman Moqbel
CEO of Action for Humanity
Othman Moqbel is a British Palestinian with over 25 years of experience in the humanitarian sector. He is currently the CEO of Action for Humanity, parent charity of Syria Relief, with humanitarian activities in more than a dozen fragile and conflict affected settings around the world, including Gaza, Syria, and Yemen.
Under Othman’s guidance, the charity has grown from a single-context response, to now supporting 10 programme recipients every minute, and championing the voices of those impacted by catastrophe on the global stage.
He currently serves as a member of the board for BOND, and has previously served as a board member of both ACEVO and Charity Futures.

Denis Muwanguzi
Co-founder and Director of Programs at Budondo Intercultural Centre
Denis is a Public Health Specialist and theatre practitioner with over 15 years of experience in community-led development. He holds a master of medical sciences with a major in public health from Lund University, Sweden. He’s the co-founder and director of programs at Budondo Intercultural Centre, a non-profit organization providing affordable health services, building household resilience and improving livelihoods in 58 villages in rural Uganda.
In the past Denis worked as the Learning and Impact Lead at Mama Hope – US, a non-profit organization that supported 13 organizations across East and West Africa and South America in community-led development models. He also worked in the Evidence-Informed Policy Network unit at the World Health Organization Regional Office in Copenhagen, Denmark as an intern.

Dr Amon Ngongola
Consultant Paediatric Surgeon, University Teaching Hospital, Zambia
Dr. Amon is a Zambian local consultant paediatric surgeon who works in a KidsOR facility at the University Teaching Hospital in Zambia
He is part of the Faculty of Paediatric Surgery training program at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka and also serves as a Lecturer/Trainer with the College of Surgeons for East, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA). He has been treating patients with many kinds of congenital anomalies, infections and trauma but has special interest in childhood cancer patients.
Dr Ngongola is a Founding Fellow of the Zambia College of Medicine and Surgery. He has keen interest in passing on knowledge to young medical professionals through medical education and mentorship, research and promotion of sustainable partnerships and collaborations for provision of safe and quality service delivery.
He’s the current President of the Zambia Association of Paediatric Surgeons, and is passionate about promoting access to good quality surgical services to rural parts of Zambia and Africa.

Kim Pratt
Circular Economy Campaigner at Friends of the Earth Scotland
Kim Pratt is the Circular Economy Campaigner at Friends of the Earth Scotland. She campaigns for fairer and more sustainable material use. This includes creating just transition for people in Scotland and in our supply chains, particularly around energy transition minerals, steel and plastics. Her background is in Scottish policy making and environmental analysis.
Friends of the Earth Scotland is Scotland’s leading environmental campaigning organisation. It is an independent Scottish charity with a network of thousands of supporters and active local groups across Scotland and part of the largest grassroots environmental network in the world, uniting over 2 million supporters, 73 national member groups, and 5,000 local activist groups.

Rita
Save the Children, Nigeria
Rita, a 15-year-old Nigerian girl, embodies a fervent commitment to advocacy and leadership in her school and community. As a Girl Champion for Save the Children International in Nigeria, she stands at the forefront of initiatives centred around empowerment of girls, research on girl’s situation, advocating for girls’ and women’s rights, gender equality, and the protection of all children.
Rita had the privilege of serving as a One-time Her Excellency, Executive Governor of Benue State on the International Day of the Girl Child in 2023. She had the opportunity to represent children in various state, national, and international engagements, including the most recent United Nations Civil Society Conference where she participated in the Interactive Plenary Dialogue with Co-Facilitators in Support of the Summit of the Future. Rita was also part of a panel discussions addressing issues affecting women and girls during the Women Deliver Conference held in Kigali, Rwanda, in 2023. Rita is the Founder of the Girl Rights Protection Club in Benue State, and a host for radio and empowerment programs in Benue State
In her role as a Climate Change advocate, Rita participates strongly in the Generation Hope campaign in Nigeria. Through her efforts, she raises public awareness about the profound impacts of climate change on communities, particularly highlighting its effects on the rights of girls and other vulnerable children.

Angus Robertson
Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture
Angus Robertson is an SNP politician, Member of the Scottish Parliament for Edinburgh Central, and Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture.
Formerly Depute Leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) from 2016 to 2018, he has served as the Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Edinburgh Central since 2021.
A graduate of the University of Aberdeen, Robertson previously worked as a journalist. He was first elected to the House of Commons in 2001.

Sam Ross
International Programme Director, Link Education International
Sam joined SIDA’s Board in 2019 and sits on the HR and Safeguarding Committee. Her day job is with Link Education International, where she is the International Programme Director and leads on strategy development, oversees quality programming and is Link’s safeguarding focal point. She is also progressing Link’s work on effective partnerships and shifting the power. Link supports governments and partners in Ethiopia, Malawi, Rwanda and Uganda to deliver quality education to all children. Sam studied International development at the University of East Anglia where she gained her Masters and Doctorate qualifications. She has over 15 years working in the international education and development sector with experience across Africa and Asia.

Sir Gregor Smith
Chief Medical Officer for Scotland
Gregor was appointed Chief Medical Officer for Scotland in December 2020.
Gregor is a GP and former medical director for primary care in NHS Lanarkshire. He began working for the Scottish Government as a medical adviser in primary care in 2012 as part of the negotiating team for the Scottish GP contract, subsequently leading the development of a new quality framework for general practice in Scotland. He was appointed Deputy Chief Medical Officer in 2015, interim Chief Medical Officer in April 2020, and Chief Medical Officer in December 2020.

Nicola Sturgeon MSP
Former First Minister of Scotland
Nicola Sturgeon is the MSP for Glasgow Southside constituency, and the former First Minister of Scotland – the longest-serving and first woman First Minister.
Born in Ayrshire, Sturgeon is a law graduate of the University of Glasgow. She worked as a solicitor in Glasgow before her election to the Scottish Parliament in 1999. She served successively as the SNP’s shadow minister for education, health, and justice.

Talat Yaqoob
Consultant, campaigner & leader on anti-racist, feminist policy, research & politics
Talat Yaqoob is a third-sector leader, writer and campaigner, focused on equality issues across politics, public life and the labour market; in particular championing women, communities of colour and migrants.
She is an independent consultant providing policy, public affairs and research expertise to the third and public sectors. She was the Director of Equate Scotland, the national expert on women in science, engineering, technology and the built environment.
She is a co-founder and Chair of the campaign group Women 50:50, advocating for fair representation of women in politics, which won a Herald Diversity Award in 2017. She is also a member of the First Minister’s National Advisory Council on Women and Girls.

Dr Goran Zangana
THET, NHS Lothian
Goran Zangana is a long-time friend of THET (Tropical Health and Education Trust). He is originally from Kurdistan and undertook his initial medical training and practice in Iraq. He is therefore a great champion of THET’s Experts In Our Midst programme, which aims to celebrate the global health expertise of diaspora health workers in the UK.
He is a member of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh and an acting consultant in acute and general medicine in NHS Lothian. He completed his PhD in Global Health at the University of Edinburgh and is a member of the board of directors of Health Systems Global as well as the Editorial Board of the Social Science Medicine Journal – Health Systems.
Sponsors
The event offers plenty of opportunities to connect with other global change-makers, including a post-conference drinks reception kindly sponsored by Stone X Payments.
SIDA is grateful to headline sponsors Stone X Payments, WaterAid and Global Hospital, for partnering with us for the 2024 Annual Conference. If you are interested in an Exhibitor or Sponsorship package, you can find out more here.
Conference entry will once again be free this year for members! Spaces are limited, so register now to secure your place at our Annual Conference 2024.