Maneno Imbaraga Network

MIN

The Maneno Imbaraga Network (MIN) is an independent research initiative founded by Ann DeChenne that develops diagnostic frameworks for identifying and interrupting pathogenic discourse in human rights, humanitarian, and migration governance systems. MIN's work integrates critical discourse analysis, decolonial theory, and applied linguistics to reveal how deficit language erases agency and reproduces colonial hierarchies—even within well-intentioned institutions. The framework has been field-tested with refugee-led organizations in East Africa and operationalized through AI diagnostic tools.

Research Areas

Deficit language diagnostics in humanitarian discourse
AI training data and algorithmic reproduction of colonial epistemology
Refugee-led organization communications and donor legitimacy structures
Educational equity and linguistic justice

Key Frameworks

Pathogenic Persistence Principle (PPP) — Identifies discourse that structures harm regardless of tone or intent

Agency Conversion Framework (ACF) — Maps pathways from critical awareness to sustained collective action

Linguistic Darwinism Governance Circuit — Tracks how language naturalizes inequality across institutional, economic, and affective domains

Puublications

What is Agency and Why Does it Matter? | The Worthy Educator Worthy Educator No. 4 Summer 2025

DeChenne, A. (forthcoming): "Community-Driven AI Tools for Linguistic Justice" (Statelessness & Citizenship Review, 2026)

Trainings

Deficit Language Diagnostics Training Series (December 2025)
Two online training sessions with community-based organizations (CBOs) and refugee-led organizations (RLOs) in East Africa

Focus: Diagnosing and interrupting deficit language in donor communications, grant proposals, and organizational messaging. Participants confirmed that deficit framing is systematically required by donor expectations, and practiced reframing strategies using MIN diagnostic tools.