CHANGE We ultimately focused on how we can achieve change in the field of statelessness. We created space for discussions around how our field has historically viewed change, whose ‘vision’ of change has been prioritised and pursued. Conversations were framed around questions such as: How can we ensure that the change we pursue is what stateless people want and is meaningful and sustainable? What change have we achieved and can be celebrated? How can we be more accountable to stateless communities? We also considered techniques and strategies for change, barriers to change and how to build and sustain campaigns. Further, we explored how we can pursue change in solidarity, document and build knowledge around meaningful and sustainable change, and what role the arts can play in imagining and pursuing the change we seek. In summary, here are the key insights gathered from the dialogues on ‘change’: Change work must be adequately resourced, and the donor community needs to step up to meet this challenge. We need to change our attitude to resourcing from a ‘scarcity’ mindset, to a ‘growth’ mindset and tell donors to “fund us like you want us to win”, with the required resourcing, flexibility and other support. The Global Statelessness Fund, announced at the conference, which will provide unrestricted funding and accompaniment support to stateless-led groups, has potential to have a significant impact on the field. Impacted people should be centred in the change agenda. Centring impacted people in initiatives to create change is not just an ethical consideration but a strategic one. When affected people are at the forefront of developing and implementing advocacy strategies, they are more likely to identify the change their communities want, and find successful ways to achieve it. Allies must create space, offer protection and support through accompaniment, capacity development and journeying together with stateless communities. SURROUNDED BY CRISIS OF THE NEW CENTURY CHAOS AND TURMOIL EVERYWHERE CITIZEN IS IN SEARCH OF CITIZENSHIP CITIZENSHIP IS ESSENTIAL From the poem ‘Citizenship’ by Mohammad Hasan “ We have managed to disrupt systems of power to the extent where previously, those engaged in the work (of addressing statelessness) were mainly unaffected individuals in positions of power. Today, we see participation from affected individuals, some of whom have started their own organisations like United Stateless, Statefree and Apatride Network, independent of us. We’re pleased with this progress.” Liesl Muller Change isn’t necessarily ‘accomplished’ with securing a legal status. The change that stateless communities seek, ultimately relates to the space to lead dignified lives, as equal persons before the law and in the eyes of society. Citizenship status alone does not secure this, particularly when considering the cumulative impact of intergenerational disadvantage and discrimination. Conceptualising change as “dignified citizenship”, as has been done by the newly formed Asia-Pacific coalition, is a useful and important framework to consider. “ Statelessness often takes a long time to cure. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that acquiring a nationality doesn’t mark the end of the story. Decades or generations of discrimination cannot be undone with a simple administrative act.” Radha Govil “ Today, we had a session with donors where they came forward to (openly) say they are supporting (statelessness) work. Before, it wasn’t like that where those working on the issue had to hide statelessness under something else to secure funding.” Felix Lore