In 2024, when calls for independence and reparations from former Commonwealth nations are growing louder, Band Aid 40 feels profoundly oblivious. The song, stuck in a framework of Western saviourism, actively undermines the mainstream discourse around shifting power, decolonisation, addressing racism and structural change. It fails to recognise that today’s global movements demand equity, not pity; collaboration, not charity.

As a group, having each faced the force of white supremacy in the charity sector, we felt passionate about driving systemic change. At the time, this looked like commenting on every racist incident and coddling every leader over coffee. This was not sustainable. We burnt out.

The foundation of an anti-racist charity sector is dismantling white supremacy, and this session aimed to create the chance to dream about what this would look like, and build community with our shared hope.

For the next two months we will be developing and growing new, distinct campaigns to build the ecosystem needed to truly fight the racism in our sector.