Do One Better with Alberto Lidji in Philanthropy, Sustainability and Social Entrepreneurship

Latest Episodes:

Dedo n Ba, Director of Strategy of the Segal Family Foundation, Discusses Strategic Philanthropy, African Social Entrepreneurs, and Building Collaborative Ecosystems Aug 19, 2024

Show notes

Dedo n Ba, Director of Strategy of the Segal Family Foundation, Discusses Strategic Philanthropy, African Social Entrepreneurs, and Building Collaborative Ecosystems.

This episode offers a rich exploration of the strategic considerations and practical efforts involved in driving philanthropy in Sub-Saharan Africa. It highlights the importance of collaboration, the evolving nature of board governance, and the critical role of local knowledge in shaping effective interventions.

Whether you're a seasoned philanthropist or new to the sector, this conversation provides valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges of supporting African-led change.

In this insightful episode of the Do One Better Podcast, we host Dedo n Ba, the Director of Strategy at the Segal Family Foundation, and explore the Foundation's innovative approaches to philanthropy in Sub-Saharan Africa.

With a focus on building collaborative ecosystems and empowering African social entrepreneurs, Dedo provides a comprehensive overview of how the Segal Family Foundation operates across 20 countries, fostering connections and driving impactful change.

Dedo begins by introducing the Segal Family Foundation's mission, which stems from founder Barry Segal's desire to address the capital imbalance faced by African social entrepreneurs. The Foundation's work is rooted in a blended financing model, combining grants, debt, and capacity-building efforts to support a diverse portfolio of leaders and organizations across various sectors, including healthcare, education, and technology.

The Foundation’s philosophy is to partner early with organizations, helping them grow into investable entities capable of attracting further funding and achieving significant community impact.

A key highlight of the discussion revolves around the Foundation's commitment to creating collaborative ecosystems, a process that requires deliberate effort and resources.

Dedo emphasizes the importance of having boards that are inclusive of individuals with lived experience, a shift he notes is gaining traction within the philanthropic sector. This approach not only enhances the relevance of decision-making processes but also drives more effective and culturally informed interventions.

Throughout the episode, Dedo touches on the importance of sharing intelligence and fostering collaboration among various stakeholders, including funders, social entrepreneurs, and local communities. He notes that while collaboration is often underfunded, it is crucial for scaling impact and addressing complex social challenges.

The Segal Family Foundation's role as a community builder has evolved over time, with an increasing focus on supporting networks and coalitions that can respond swiftly and effectively to emerging needs.

As the conversation progresses, Dedo reflects on the broader landscape of philanthropy in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in the context of the upcoming targets for the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2030.

He is optimistic about the growing involvement of African-led organizations and the emergence of new themes such as climate action and inclusion. However, he also acknowledges the challenges that remain, particularly the need to increase the percentage of global giving directed towards leaders with proximate experience.

The episode concludes with Dedo sharing his personal journey from the private sector to philanthropy, driven by a desire to solve problems and create meaningful change. He underscores the importance of strategic philanthropy that is both agile and responsive to the needs of the communities it serves.

For listeners, the key takeaway is clear: there is still much work to be done to bridge the gap in funding and support for African social entrepreneurs, and the philanthropic sector must continue to evolve to meet these challenges.

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 250+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.

Luke Thomas, CEO of World Child Cancer: Bridging the Gap in Pediatric Cancer Care Aug 12, 2024

Show notes

Luke Thomas, CEO of World Child Cancer: Bridging the Gap in Pediatric Cancer Care

We delve into the critical work of World Child Cancer, an organization dedicated to improving the diagnosis and treatment of childhood cancer in low to middle-income countries.

World Child Cancer was established in 2007 to address the significant disparity in survival rates between children diagnosed with cancer in high-income countries and those in low-income regions.

While survival rates in countries like the UK and the US are around 80-90%, they drop to 20-30% in the regions where World Child Cancer operates. The organization's mission is to bridge this gap by providing comprehensive support that includes improving early diagnosis, offering training to healthcare professionals, and enhancing infrastructure.

Operating in 13 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and Latin America, World Child Cancer collaborates closely with local hospitals and governments. They are not just grant makers but are also deeply involved in service delivery. Their approach includes training local pediatric oncologists, nurses, and pharmacists to ensure that high-quality care is available. They also address logistical challenges, such as ensuring the availability of medications and overcoming geographical barriers that prevent children from accessing treatment.

The podcast explores the key challenges faced by World Child Cancer, including the lack of awareness about pediatric cancer among healthcare professionals and the general public, which often leads to misdiagnoses or delayed diagnoses. Geographical barriers and the availability of diagnostic equipment and expertise are also significant hurdles. Many families in rural areas struggle to reach hospitals due to distance and financial constraints, complicating the early and accurate diagnosis of cancer.

World Child Cancer is currently undergoing a strategic review to better address these challenges, with a particular focus on improving early diagnosis. The organization recognizes that approximately 50% of children with cancer in low to middle-income countries never receive a diagnosis, and they are looking for partners to help fill gaps and provide comprehensive care.

The episode also highlights the successes of World Child Cancer, such as their strong partnerships with local institutions and their holistic approach to patient care. This includes providing psychosocial support to families, ensuring that children adhere to treatment protocols and receive the comprehensive care they need. Despite these successes, the organization continues to seek improvements, particularly in early diagnosis.

Luke Thomas shares his personal journey from a career in corporate headhunting to his current role in the non-profit sector, driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact and inspired by his mother's battle with cancer. His story underscores the passion and commitment that fuels World Child Cancer's mission.

Naghma Mulla, CEO of the EdelGive Foundation, on supporting grassroots organisations in India Aug 05, 2024

Show notes

The CEO of the EdelGive Foundation, Naghma Mulla, joins us on the Do One Better Podcast to discuss the impact of their GROW Fund (Grassroots, Resilience, Ownership and Wellness) which strengthened 100 high impact grassroots organisations in India over 24 months, through capacity-building and supporting key organisational functions.

We explore what it was like to design and launch the GROW Fund; getting people to apply for funds; nurturing those relationships; and creating robust organisations that can perform and drive social impact in India.

We explore the Fund’s impact, look at the key challenges they faced since Naghma was last on the show back in 2021, and we discuss future opportunities in the horizon.

Jo Maugham KC, Founder and Director of the Good Law Project: leveraging the law to change the world Jul 29, 2024

Show notes

The Founder and Director of the Good Law Project, Jo Maugham KC, on leveraging the law to craft the world you’d like to see.

The law is a powerful means to effect positive social change but not everyone has access to it and the law isn’t always used for good.

In this episode we explore social impact through the lens of public interest litigation, and we cover a wide range of examples and thought-provoking arguments.

The Good Law Project is a non-profit organisation but it is not a registered charity since, as Jo explains, the charity regulator can be politicised. Not being a registered charity affords the Good Law Project more freedom to leverage the law to drive social change. Likewise, the Good Law Project is crowd-funded by approximately 34,000 monthly donors and they are not beholden to any single major donor which, in turn, enables the Good Law Project to embrace whatever tone of voice they wish.

This episode is thought-provoking and highly informative.

About Jo Maugham KC

A tax barrister by trade, Jolyon Maugham KC founded Good Law Project in 2017 without a single big backer and no staff. It has brought a series of landmark cases against a dishonest and increasingly autocratic government and won widespread acclaim in successfully reversing Boris Johnson's unlawful suspension of Parliament. Already the largest legal campaign group in the UK, Good Law Project is shining light into corners the establishment would rather keep dark - from the failures of Brexit to the still-developing PPE scandal, to the tax arrangements of business giants like Uber. With the increasingly important focus on the changing climate, Good Law Project has expanded its work into protecting the environment, both by highlighting those allowing the pollution of our river and seas, and those who are trying to prevent the government change in Net Zero policy, and being silenced as a result. From humble origins to a major legal force, Jolyon has become a key defender against government overreach.

Danny Sriskandarajah, CEO of the New Economics Foundation, on his new book "Power to the People", Universal Basic Income and creating a better future Jul 22, 2024

Show notes

Danny Sriskandarajah, CEO of the New Economics Foundation, on his new book "Power to the People", Universal Basic Income and creating a better future.

Overview

In this intellectually stimulating episode, host Alberto Lidji interviews Danny Sriskandarajah, the Chief Executive of the New Economics Foundation (NEF). The discussion delves into various topics surrounding new economic thinking, including universal basic income (UBI), innovative economic models, and the importance of brave philanthropy. Danny also shares insights from his new book, "Power to the People."

Key Discussion Points

1. Introduction to NEF
- NEF is a "think and do" tank founded 40 years ago by alternative economists and environmentalists.
- It aims to challenge economic orthodoxies, create inclusive economies, and protect the planet.

2. Living Income vs. Universal Basic Income (UBI)
- Danny explains the concept of a "living income," which goes beyond UBI by integrating comprehensive social services.
- NEF is piloting the world's first and largest living income initiative in Manchester, combining UBI with enhanced public services.

3. New Economic Models
- The need for new economic models to address contemporary challenges such as ecological constraints, demographic changes, and political trust deficits.
- Danny critiques orthodox economics, emphasizing the necessity for innovative approaches that work for people and the planet.

4. Brave Philanthropy
- The role of philanthropy in driving transformative change.
- The importance of taking risks and funding innovative solutions that challenge existing social norms and structures.

5. Danny's Career and Motivations
- His journey from Sri Lanka to becoming a global advocate for social justice.
- The golden thread of social justice and internationalism running through his career.

6. Book Insight: "Power to the People"
- The book reflects on Danny's experiences and proposes ideas to renew democracy, democratize the economy, and reform digital and global spaces.
- It emphasizes the need for human-centered approaches to technology and economics.

7. Future of AI and Digital Regulation
- Discussion on AI's potential impacts and the importance of effective regulation to protect human dignity and agency.
- The concept of platform cooperatives and the need for public ownership of digital spaces.

8. Optimism and Urgency
- Danny's optimistic view that, despite current challenges, it is possible to create a better future through innovative thinking and collective action.
- Encouragement for individuals and organizations to think outside the box and drive systemic change.

Sarah Bouchie, CEO of Helen Keller Intl on Combating Global Blindness, Malnutrition, and the Impact of Climate Change Jul 15, 2024

Show notes

Sarah Bouchie, CEO of Helen Keller Intl on Combating Global Blindness, Malnutrition, and the Impact of Climate Change.

Helen Keller International's Mission: Helen Keller Intl, a 109-year-old organization, focuses on combating blindness, poor health, and malnutrition. The organization scales innovative solutions to ensure everyone can live a healthy life and achieve their full potential.

Global Operations and Focus Areas: The organization operates as an international NGO with headquarters in New York City and local registrations in various countries. Active in 20 countries, they work on preventing blindness, addressing neglected tropical diseases, and tackling eye health issues like refractive error, cataract, and diabetic retinopathy. The focus is on underlying causes of vision loss and malnutrition.

Current Projects and Achievements: Sarah discusses progress in eliminating neglected tropical diseases like trachoma in West Africa. She shares the transformative impact of providing glasses to children in New York City and Minneapolis. The organization is also addressing global food poverty exacerbated by the climate crisis, particularly affecting Africa and South Asia.

Challenges and Solutions: Helen Keller Intl addresses malnutrition by naming and analyzing the issue, identifying vulnerable communities, and funding effective programs. Successful interventions include promoting breastfeeding, providing vitamin A supplementation, and treating acute and severe malnutrition. Political will, supply chains, and health system expertise are crucial for effective action.

Community Engagement and Behavioral Change: Sarah highlights the role of community health workers in promoting nutritional diversity, using her experiences in Kenya as an example. Local planning and community-based agriculture are essential for ensuring access to nutritious food. Malnutrition issues are present in both the Global South and advanced economies like the United States, requiring behavior change and political commitment.

Kieron Boyle, CEO of the Impact Investing Institute, on creating a fairer, greener, and more resilient future Jul 08, 2024

Show notes

The CEO of the Impact Investing Institute, Kieron Boyle, discusses the nuances of impact investing, its various definitions, and the role it plays in creating a fairer, greener, and more resilient future.

Kieron explains the mission of the Impact Investing Institute, a nonprofit established by the UK government to accelerate impact investing both in the UK and globally. The conversation highlights how impact investing operates within financial markets to drive significant social and environmental outcomes.

Kieron Boyle defines impact investing as investing with the intention to generate positive social and environmental impacts alongside financial returns. This type of investing can range from commercial-plus investments, which offer good financial returns with additional impact considerations, to investments with high impact but potentially lower financial returns. The discussion emphasizes the importance of using impact as a lens for investment decisions, aiming to mobilize an additional trillion pounds of impact investment over the next five years. They explore the need for deeper, more liquid, and transparent markets to facilitate greater investment in impactful ventures.

The episode also addresses the challenges of impact investing, such as the necessity of pricing negative externalities to better align market activities with social and environmental goals. Kieron explains how blended finance can pool different types of capital to unlock greater investment in impactful ventures. They discuss the role of various actors, including governments, private businesses, institutional investors, and philanthropic organizations, in advancing impact investing. Collaboration among these sectors is highlighted as crucial for achieving systemic change.

Kieron shares practical steps and resources for those interested in impact investing. The Impact Investing Institute offers a comprehensive knowledge hub and library to help investors and other stakeholders learn more about impact investing. A recently published report, "Family Offices: A Roadmap to Impact," provides insights into how family offices are engaging with impact investing. The episode concludes with a call to action for investors to adopt impact as a fundamental filter in their investment strategies, aiming to create a more equitable and sustainable future.

Jon Rosser, Chair of the Single Homeless Project, on the systemic undercounting of women experiencing homelessness. Jul 01, 2024

Show notes

Jon Rosser, Chair of the Single Homeless Project, on the systemic undercounting of women experiencing homelessness.

Overview: In this eye-opening episode of the Do One Better Podcast, Alberto Lidji sits down with Jon Rosser, Chair of the Single Homeless Project, to delve into the pressing issue of homelessness in the UK, with a particular focus on the systemic undercounting of women experiencing homelessness.

Key Discussion Points:

Introduction to SHP:

The Single Homeless Project operates in London, supporting homeless individuals or those at risk of homelessness.
Founded by a group of homeless people 40 years ago, SHP has grown to support over 10,000 individuals annually with a dedicated staff of 700.

Current State of Homelessness in the UK:

Despite various interventions, homelessness numbers are rising due to housing shortages, affordability issues, and inadequate social housing.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic showed that it is possible to house everyone if the will and resources are available.

Gender Disparity in Homelessness Counts:

Traditional counting methods underreport the number of homeless women, who often avoid streets due to vulnerability and safety concerns.
A new gender-informed approach reveals a much higher number of homeless women, many of whom resort to dangerous alternatives to sleeping on the streets.

Challenges Faced by Homeless Women:

Many homeless women face domestic violence, mental health issues, and the need for safe, gender-specific accommodation.
There is a significant gap in the support services provided to these women, who often fall through the cracks of traditional systems.

Policy Implications and Recommendations:

The need for more accurate counting methods and gender-aware policies to ensure homeless women receive adequate support.
Advocacy for increased women-only accommodations and better safety measures in mixed facilities.
Encouraging local authorities and philanthropists to invest in resources for a comprehensive homeless count and support services.

Jon Rosser’s Journey:

From social housing to international work with Voluntary Service Overseas and Save the Children, Jon’s career has been dedicated to addressing housing and homelessness issues.
Now, as Chair of SHP, Jon continues his mission to support vulnerable populations, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to tackling homelessness.

Tony Hulton, CEO of Walking with the Wounded: Supporting Veterans Jun 24, 2024

Show notes

In this enlightening episode, we are joined by Tony Hulton, Chief Executive Officer of Walking with the Wounded. Tony shares the critical work his organisation is doing to support ex-service personnel in the UK.

The discussion spans across various support services provided by the charity, including mental health, social work, employment support, and tackling digital exclusion. This episode offers valuable insights for those who care about veterans and their reintegration into civilian life.

Tony begins by introducing Walking with the Wounded, a national charity founded 14 years ago during the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts. Initially focused on helping physically injured veterans re-enter the workforce, the organisation has since expanded its scope to address a broader range of issues.

Today, they offer three core services: Headstart, Care Coordination, and Individual Placement Services.

Headstart provides mental health and therapy services tailored for veterans, addressing not only PTSD but also general mental health needs.

Care Coordination, akin to social work, is specifically designed for those with armed forces experience.

Individual Placement Services offer employment support that goes beyond job placement to include ongoing assistance.

Tony explains the unique challenges veterans face when transitioning to civilian life. Everyday tasks that civilians take for granted, such as applying for a passport or a rental agreement, can be daunting for those accustomed to the structured life within the military.

The organisation recognises that while many veterans transition smoothly, a significant minority encounter difficulties that often manifest 10 to 14 years after leaving the service. These issues can include unemployment, underemployment, debt, and family breakdowns.

Employment is a critical area of focus for Walking with the Wounded. Veterans possess valuable skills such as leadership, management, and teamwork, making them highly desirable employees. However, challenges can arise years after their service ends, as skills may fade and confidence may wane.

Tony emphasises the importance of ongoing support for veterans in employment, ensuring they can leverage their skills effectively in civilian roles.

Walking with the Wounded employs around 90 staff, including 60 frontline workers. The charity's approach involves building trust with veterans and creating personalised care plans.

Geoff Ibbotson, Executive Director of the Global Surgery Foundation, on Strengthening Surgical Care Systems and Empowering Global Health Jun 17, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of the Do One Better Podcast, Alberto Lidji engages in a compelling conversation with Geoff Ibbotson, the Executive Director of the Global Surgery Foundation.

Geoff shares his journey and the critical work his organization is doing to improve surgical care systems worldwide, particularly in low-resource settings.

This episode sheds light on the importance of comprehensive surgical systems in achieving global health goals and reducing poverty. As Geoff notes: "A strong surgical care system strengthens the entire health system and is one of the best investments for global health."

Key Topics Covered:

Introduction to the Global Surgery Foundation: Geoff explains the origins and mission of the Global Surgery Foundation, highlighting its role in supporting and advancing surgical care systems globally.
Comprehensive Surgical Systems: A deep dive into the various components of a functional surgical care system, including diagnostics, anesthesia, nursing, and rehabilitation.
Impact on Global Health: How strengthening surgical care systems can significantly improve health outcomes and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Surg Fund and Surg Hub: An overview of the Surg Fund, aimed at pooling resources for impactful surgical projects, and the Surg Hub, a digital platform for disseminating surgical knowledge and training.
Challenges and Success Stories: Geoff shares real-life examples of the challenges faced in low-resource settings and the successes achieved through improved surgical care.

Notable Partners and Supporters:

UNITAR (United Nations Institute for Training and Research)
Rali Mampeule
Smile Train
Harvard University Medical School
Johnson & Johnson Foundation
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
Siemens Healthineers
Canton of Geneva

Call to Action:

Listeners are encouraged to explore the Surg Hub for free, high-quality training and resources on surgical care. Additionally, the Global Surgery Foundation welcomes partnerships and support to further its mission of strengthening surgical systems worldwide.

Conclusion:

Geoff Ibbotson emphasizes the urgent need for increased funding and collaboration to build robust surgical care systems. He highlights the critical role these systems play in overall health system strengthening and achieving universal health coverage.

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