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

Latest Episodes:

Empowering SMBs Towards Net Zero: Sage’s Elisa Moscolin on Carbon Accountability and Sustainability Nov 13, 2023

Show notes

In this enlightening episode, we delve into the world of sustainability and carbon footprint management with Elisa Moscolin, the Executive Vice President of Sustainability at Sage and the Sage Foundation.

Elisa brings to the table a wealth of knowledge on aiding small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in navigating the complexities of carbon footprint accounting and sustainability practices. She emphasizes the integral role of SMBs in achieving global net zero targets and the disproportionate challenges they face in starting their sustainability journeys.

Elisa outlines Sage's dual-pronged approach to sustainability: internally striving for net zero and externally empowering SMBs to follow suit. She highlights Sage's commitment to science-based targets, aiming for a 50% reduction in emissions by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2040.

A key focus of the discussion is the innovative carbon accounting software solution, Sage Earth, which simplifies carbon footprint measurement for SMBs. This solution integrates with financial systems, offering an automated, user-friendly platform that encourages businesses to take actionable steps towards reducing their emissions.

The conversation also explores broader trends affecting SMBs, like increased regulation and the need for supportive policies. Elisa emphasizes the importance of creating an ecosystem to aid SMBs, involving banks and policymakers.

She shares her personal journey into sustainability, driven by a deep sense of responsibility and a desire to make a meaningful impact.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of business and environmental stewardship, offering valuable insights into the challenges and solutions for SMBs in the race to net zero.

Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 200+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.

Dianne Calvi, CEO of Village Enterprise, on ending extreme poverty in rural Africa Nov 06, 2023

Show notes

The CEO of Village Enterprise, Dianne Calvi, joins us to discuss their focus on ending extreme poverty in rural Africa through entrepreneurship, innovation, and collective action.

We flesh out anecdotes and delve into the statistically rigorous insights from the randomized control trials (RCTs) they’ve run to assess impact on improving lives.

We also look at the development impact bond (DIB) they’ve done with the likes of USAid and FCDO; and hear about their upcoming work with the Rwandan Government to end extreme poverty in that country by 2030.

Village Enterprise have trained more than 274,000 entrepreneurs that have started more than 80,000 businesses. This has lifted close to 1.7 million people out of extreme poverty.

This episode is for anyone who cares about ending extreme poverty (UN Sustainable Development Goal 1) and embraces an entrepreneurial spirit and the power of innovation.

Jonathan Cohen, Executive Director of Conciliation Resources on Peacebuilding Oct 30, 2023

Show notes

Conciliation Resources' Executive Director, Jonathan Cohen, provides a candid look at the world of peacebuilding. We explore the ways peacebuilding happens, the investments required, and the different types of organisations that are involved -- from analysis, to on-the-ground mediation, diplomacy and more.

Conciliation Resources works with people impacted by war and violence, bringing diverse voices together to make change that lasts. They connect the views of people on the ground with political processes, and share experience and expertise so others can find creative responses to conflict.

Oliver Gregson, Region Head for JP Morgan Private Bank in the UK, Channel Islands and Ireland: going beyond traditional philanthropy and embracing the global sustainability agenda Oct 23, 2023

Show notes

JP Morgan Private Bank’s Oliver Gregson provides an insightful look at leveraging resources for social good. The conversation is wide-ranging and delves into clients’ changing approach to doing good, the bank’s work, and Oliver’s personal narrative that includes social good, the environment and finance.

Sustainability, climate and the environment are personal passions for Oliver. Since his days at the University of Nottingham where Oliver graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Environmental Biology, he has held a variety of roles over a 23-year career in Financial Services.

Oliver is a member of the UK Philanthropy Governance Committee of the J.P. Morgan Corporate Foundation, focusing on Small Business and ESG. Working with partners, he also co-leads the sustainability vision for the International Private Bank and established the Global Private Bank’s Sustainable Investment Summit.

Oliver is currently a member of the NSPCC’s Child Safety Online Taskforce, was previously a Non-Executive Director at Finance Earth, and previously a Trustee for Blue Ventures Marine Conservation. He was also a Council Member until 2020 of the Sustainable Markets Initiative, focusing on the need to accelerate global progress towards a sustainable future.

Matt Hyde OBE, Chief Executive of the Scouts UK, on the power of volunteering and ’The Big Help Out’ Oct 16, 2023

Show notes

Matt Hyde OBE, the Chief Executive of Scouts UK, shares his insights on the transformative power of volunteering and the successful initiative "The Big Help Out." Matt discusses the genesis of the initiative, the challenges faced, and the remarkable results achieved. He emphasizes the importance of fostering cross-sector collaborations, the impact of innovative public engagement campaigns, and the significance of pro-social behaviors in building a cohesive society. Matt delves into the success of the Big Help Out, which brought together a diverse range of organizations and individuals, engaging millions of participants in various volunteering activities. He highlights the need for continued innovation and inclusivity, stressing the importance of breaking beyond traditional volunteering models and adapting to the changing needs and preferences of volunteers. The conversation touches upon key learnings from the initiative, including the significance of local community engagement and the value of planting seeds of volunteering in individuals who may not have previously considered it. Matt also shares insights on overcoming skepticism and the importance of balancing feedback with a strong conviction in one's vision. The episode concludes with an exploration of future plans for the initiative and the potential for continued impact and social change through collaborative efforts. Key Topics:

The genesis of the "Big Help Out" initiative
Engaging diverse organizations and individuals in volunteering
Navigating challenges and skepticism in driving social change
Leveraging cross-sector collaborations and public engagement campaigns
Innovating volunteering models and fostering inclusivity
Promoting local community engagement and building social cohesion
Lessons learned and key takeaways for driving impactful initiatives

Daniel F. Wilhelm, President of the Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation, on creating knowledge against violence Oct 09, 2023

Show notes

The President of the Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation, Daniel F. Wilhelm, explains why it’s important to create and disseminate knowledge against violence.

At the Foundation, they support research across all forms of violence, including war, crime, and human aggression, with the aim of understanding the causes of violence, how it manifests itself and how to control it. They inform policymakers and practitioners, and drive public discourse.

We get insight into their various partnerships, including the work they’re doing with the MacArthur Foundation and others on the Global Innovations on Youth Violence, Safety and Justice initiative, which seeks to tackle youth violence and promote youth safety and criminal justice reform.

We discuss specific areas of research, such as the implications of adolescence and brain development, where young persons aged 18 to 24 are legally adults but may not physically be fully developed adults just yet. The brain is physically developing until the age of 24 and consequently young persons are more involved in the commission of crimes and acts of violence than older adults. From a policy perspective, this begs the question: how do you deal with this cohort of young persons whose brains are still developing, who are more likely to commit crimes and who are different than older adults?

We also hear about the funding the Foundation provides researchers across different phases of their careers, from identifying up-and-coming ‘emerging scholars’ (junior researchers who are PhD candidates focused on violence) to supporting established academics via their ‘distinguished scholars’ program, and their ‘African Fellows’ initiative focused on those academics who are conducting research on violence at African universities.

This episode provides a fascinating look into the world of knowledge-creation to tackle violence.

David Laws, Executive Chairman of the Education Policy Institute and former UK Schools Minister, on narrowing the education gap between rich and poor Oct 02, 2023

Show notes

Between 2010 and 2015, David served in the UK’s Coalition Government as Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Schools Minister, and Cabinet Office Minister. Whilst Schools Minister he was responsible for policy areas including all capital and revenue funding, the Pupil Premium, accountability and policy on teachers and leadership. Since 2015, David has been Chairman of the Education Policy Institute.

In this episode we focus on narrowing the education gap between rich and poor and delve into various areas, including creating and communicating a strong evidence base, engaging with policymakers and the media, the possible introduction of Value Added Tax to independent schools, and quite a bit more.

As someone who served as Schools Minister, David has key insight on how to engage with policymakers effectively and ensuring research reaches decision-makers at the right time.

Translating and summarising complex research, and boiling it down to the policy impact, is actually not the challenging part. The bigger challenge is in ensuring policymakers take note of the research even when it doesn’t align with their own views and, also, in ensuring research cuts right through policymakers’ busy diaries and grabs their attention.

Narrowing the education gap between rich and poor is one of David’s key focus areas. He explains how in the UK we have some of the best universities in the world, but there is a tail of underachievement which is very long and highly associated with income and social class, which is the weakness of the UK education system. If we can close the gap between rich and poor we’d have an education system that would genuinely be one of the very best in the world.

Enver Solomon, Chief Executive of the Refugee Council, on universal values and engaging with policymakers, the media, and the public Sep 25, 2023

Show notes

The Chief Executive of the Refugee Council, Enver Solomon, joins us to discuss the refugee crisis and shed light on the work of the Refugee Council and the context in which they operate.

Every day, refugees are risking their lives by coming on boats from Continental Europe to the UK, and we see a political response of building walls and enforceability.

We explore the realities on the ground and the electoral challenges faced by policymakers, within a backdrop of heightened economic insecurity which often drives xenophobia.

Enver Solomon provides specific tips on how to be an effective advocate for refugees and universal values, and explains why engaging with policymakers and the public is essential for an effective communications strategy.

The Refugee Council was founded in 1951, following the creation of the UN Refugee Convention. They exist to support and empower people who have fled conflict, violence and persecution in order to rebuild their lives in the UK. They work with more than 13,000 women, men and children each year.

Vicky Fox, CEO of the UK Supreme Court, provides a fascinating glimpse into the Court’s work in community outreach, education, diversity and accessibility Sep 18, 2023

Show notes

The UK Supreme Court’s CEO, Vicky Fox, sheds light into her fascinating work and a range of initiatives focused on community outreach, education, and driving forward more diversity, accessibility and transparency.

Many people do not know the UK Supreme Court has a CEO and, indeed, many other countries' top courts also have CEOs. The Court does much international work and Vicky has met her counterparts in the USA, Canada, France, and Germany.

Vicky is in charge of all the non-judicial functions of the Court, including the running of an effective and efficient court, taking into account the lifecycle of a case – from the minute it enters their doors to the minute it leaves.

The Court runs a range of programmes to engage with communities. One such programme is called ‘Ask a Justice’ where a justice shows up in a classroom virtually and answers questions from students for an hour, leading to thoughtful, challenging, provocative interactions.

We also learn of their drive to encourage more diversity in the legal profession. The Court’s initiatives address the entire career pipeline, from schools and universities to very senior, experienced judges. They work in partnership with many organisations, including a charity called ‘Bridging the Bar’, focusing on helping underrepresented groups into the legal profession.

Listen to this episode for some great insight and inspiration!

World Food Programme’s Martin Frick on the global food crisis, climate change and empowering people to drive forward positive change Sep 11, 2023

Show notes

Martin Frick is the Director of the World Food Programme’s Global Office in Berlin. We look at the global food crisis, how it relates to climate change and biodiversity, and explore how to move social drivers to empower people to make a positive difference.

The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organisation with 24,000 colleagues all over the world, particularly in the toughest regions of the planet – working with almost 1,000 NGOs and active in places where often times no other agencies are on the ground.

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