E.1 Philosophy: Self-accountability and study

The above organogram was developed during the Kyrgyzstan Assembly after lengthy discussions and debates. It departs from the agreement that was made in the Senegal Assembly to shift the current paradigm of funding and to reframe accountability.

Self-accountability is organised as an alternative to the ’upward accountability’ approach which emphasizes showcasing and/or demonstrating ‘success stories’ in reporting to funders and donors. Instead, the current AC structure relies on collective study while trying to remain relevant, open and sharing towards local artists, publics, activists etc

As such, accountability is practiced (1) as a form of care towards each other, (2) as a working structure and (3) to those outside of AC including local networks, public, and funders. In this practice we honor and care for each other by taking responsibility for completing our commitments to one another and to the AC ecosystem, we recognize accountability as an integral part of self-organizing and self-management, and we show respect and appreciation for the public, networks and funders outside of the AC ecosystem by openly sharing our accomplishments and failures according to our ethical principles. Our trust in each other enables us to openly recognize our limitations and to ask others for help or understanding when necessary in order to complete our commitments.

A few examples include changing the idea of ‘measuring success‘ into a tool for collective studying through the Resource map (see section D.2). This Resource Map is the essential base not only for accountability towards each other within the ecosystem, but also towards the outside.

Also, in cases where one of the AC members has to deal with problems, financially, administratively or otherwise, it goes without saying that principles of study and care apply. Practically speaking this may mean that AC provides support in terms of assistance from regional-based group, Triangles (E.3.1.b) or during Bangas (E.3.1.c), or Assembly (E.3.1.a) depending on the emerging needs and circumstances.

Building up such a mechanism of governance and accountability that can be practiced collectively by 25 organisations across the globe while at the same time fostering the sustainability of each of the participating members, requires radical imagination as well as collective effort from those who are involved.

The realisation of such a mechanism entails subscription to ethics of trust, care, openness and decentralisation, as well as a process of mutual learning based on collective conversation.