THE PROBLEM OUR THEORY OF CHANGE Statelessness is a consequence of the structural exclusion and power imbalances that pervade our societies – factors too often overlooked in responses to the issue. As our problem analysis shows, statelessness, precarious and unequal nationality rights are complex and entrenched problems. They are deeply connected to and layered on top of other intersecting structural exclusions, related to race, heritage, class, sex, ability, sexual orientation etc. Efforts to dismantle the systems that uphold and exploit statelessness are inherently long-term, difficult, and non-linear. In a world of rising authoritarianism and shrinking freedoms, this work is also about resisting and preventing harmful laws, practices, and narratives. Power imbalances and structural exclusion are evident in how states abuse excessive powers and weaponize nationality to disenfranchise, control and oppress. States manufacture statelessness by denying or depriving nationality through discriminatory and arbitrary laws, policies and practices. States then deny rights and justice on the basis of legal status. The weaponisation of nationality has become one of the most efficient ways through which states can target unwanted minorities, political dissidents, and others. Statelessness therefore intersects with many, if not all, of the biggest global challenges we face. It undermines democracy, the rule of law and sustainable development; can cause and be caused by conflict or migration; is connected to climate change; and often serves as an insurmountable barrier to access to justice. Together, then, we must challenge structural exclusions and power imbalances that drive and perpetuate unequal nationality rights, and also shape and limit the statelessness field, hampering its ability to meaningfully respond. STRENGTHENING & TRANSFORMING THE FIELD To erode structural exclusion and power imbalances in society STRUCTURAL EXCLUSION Breaking down structural exclusion & power imbalances within the field POWER IMBALANCE Created by PARDILA from the Noun Project This status quo is normalised and justified by those that wield immense influence and power within the structures of neo-liberal, capitalist states that are rooted in colonial legacies, racial hierarchies and patriarchal systems. By contrast, those made stateless inevitably wield less power, are often victimised by the abuse of power, and lack access to sites of power where they can challenge status quos. We believe that meaningful and sustainable change is possible, at scale, through collective efforts that leverage the unique strengths of many actors and centre those directly affected by the issue. We also believe in the power of togetherness as an antidote to otherness: stateless people often face prejudice and isolation. But working collectively creates space for trust, community, and belonging. And by building deep alliances with actors from intersecting social justice movements and fields, we can all amplify our efforts. Centring leadership of stateless people Centring leadership of stateless people INSTRUMENTALISATION OF CITIZENSHIP Created by PARDILA from the Noun Project MANUFACTURE STATELESSNESS Challenging the manufactoring of statelessness and the denial of rights DRIVING CHANGE DENY RIGHTS To better equip us to challenge the manufacturing of statelessness Our Theory of Change recognises how structural exclusion and power imbalances, the manufacturing of statelessness and the denial of rights to stateless people, are interconnected forces. We must address structural exclusions within our field and find our collective power, so we can effectively challenge the manufacturing of statelessness and related rights deprivations. As such, our enduring Purpose is to both strengthen and transform the statelessness field by serving as a field catalyst and to drive change by taking direct and joint action. www.institutesi.org