Sidekick Manifesto Edited by Shawn Humphrey

Sidekick Manifesto II revisits the ideas that shaped the original Sidekick Manifesto a decade after its publication. In 2016, the manifesto challenged the “hero” narrative that often dominates conversations about poverty and development, urging readers to adopt the posture of a sidekick—one who accompanies rather than saves.
 
Ten years later, the world has changed. Development institutions have evolved, new critiques of aid have emerged, and the global political landscape has shifted in ways few anticipated. Sidekick Manifesto II brings together a diverse group of scholars, practitioners, writers, and community leaders to reflect on what still holds, what must be challenged, and what must be reimagined.
 
Each contributor revisits one of the original manifesto’s promises, exploring how ideas like humility, solidarity, and accompaniment hold up in today’s context. Through personal reflection, critical analysis, and lived experience, the authors wrestle with difficult questions about power, proximity, and responsibility in efforts to address poverty and inequality.