The Compass: Voices From the Global South

About the initiative

The Compass: Voices from the Global South is Southern Voice’s brand-new vodcast series, bringing together voices from across regions to unpack narrative power, challenge dominant perspectives, and rethink how global development is understood. The vodcast is a communications-led initiative developed to enhance Southern Voice’s visibility and to extend engagement with global audiences. By creating an open space for dialogue, The Compass allows members to speak freely and to reflect on their work, experiences, and opinions on pressing development issues.

Filmed during Southern Voice’s conference in São Paulo in October 2025, the vodcast focuses on a key theme: Narrative Power. It has five episodes, each lasting 15 to 20 minutes, featuring intimate, interview-style conversations between two members from different regions.

Watch the Episodes

As global challenges grow more complex, how can the Global South shape the agenda? Luciana Servo (Ipea, Brazil) and Mikatekiso Kubayi (IGD, South Africa) reflect on lessons from the T20 process and the importance of collaboration in influencing global policy. They talk about inclusion, ownership of ideas, and moving from discussion to action. This episode explores how partnerships across regions can strengthen collective voices and help build a more balanced and representative global system.
05: T20 AND THE FUTURE OF NARRATIVE POWER (w/ Luciana Servo and Mikatekiso Kubayi)
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05: T20 AND THE FUTURE OF NARRATIVE POWER (w/ Luciana Servo and Mikatekiso Kubayi)

Southern Voice May 5, 2026 8:00 am

How are Global South voices reshaping the way the world sees development and climate action? Mariana Rondon (Plataforma CIPO, Brazil) and Gilles Yabi (WATHI, Senegal) reflect on common misconceptions about their regions and why representation in global decision-making still falls short. They discuss the role of storytelling, collaboration, and local action in shifting narratives. This conversation highlights the urgency of working together to ensure that solutions from the Global South are recognised, shared, and acted on.
04: CHANGING NARRATIVES IN PRACTICE (w/ Mariana Rondon and Gilles Yabi) | The Compass
YouTube Video UExJODM5NEpwUVBNeWpRZXNXSFBXZktNd0VYTFBuRUtIeC41MjE1MkI0OTQ2QzJGNzNG

04: CHANGING NARRATIVES IN PRACTICE (w/ Mariana Rondon and Gilles Yabi) | The Compass

Southern Voice April 28, 2026 8:00 am

Data shapes decisions, but what happens when access is limited?  Adebukola Daramola (Niser, Nigeria) and Margarita Beneke de Sanfeliu (FUSADES, El Salvador) discuss how data gaps affect research, policy, and which priorities receive attention. They share the realities of working with incomplete or outdated data, and how think tanks are finding ways to adapt.  This episode looks at why data access matters and how stronger collaboration across the Global South can help close these gaps.
03: RESEARCH OWNERSHIP AND DATA GAPS | The Compass
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03: RESEARCH OWNERSHIP AND DATA GAPS | The Compass

Southern Voice April 21, 2026 8:00 am

Who gets to shape the narrative about the Global South? In this episode, Tracy Mamoun and Dushni Weerakoon explore how storytelling, media access, and research influence global policy. They unpack the imbalance between local knowledge and global visibility, and why owning the narrative matters for fair, effective development. From data to storytelling, this conversation highlights the power of perspective and the importance of making Southern voices heard.
02: WHO CONTROLS THE STORY (w/ Dushni Weerakoon and Tracy Mamoun) | The Compass
YouTube Video UExJODM5NEpwUVBNeWpRZXNXSFBXZktNd0VYTFBuRUtIeC4yODlGNEE0NkRGMEEzMEQy

02: WHO CONTROLS THE STORY (w/ Dushni Weerakoon and Tracy Mamoun) | The Compass

Southern Voice April 14, 2026 8:00 am

What does it take for the Global South to shape its own narrative? In this opening episode, Margarita Gómez and Rose Ngugi (Chair of our Steering Committee and Fellow at AERC Africa) explore why platforms like Southern Voice matter. They discuss the power of evidence, storytelling, and representation in global decision-making, and why being at the table isn’t enough without a real voice. As the global landscape shifts, this conversation sets the stage for how collective action and stronger Southern perspectives can influence the future.
01: SETTING THE STAGE (w/ Margarita Gómez and Rose Ngugi) | The Compass
YouTube Video UExJODM5NEpwUVBNeWpRZXNXSFBXZktNd0VYTFBuRUtIeC41NkI0NEY2RDEwNTU3Q0M2

01: SETTING THE STAGE (w/ Margarita Gómez and Rose Ngugi) | The Compass

Southern Voice April 7, 2026 8:00 am

Centers involved