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

Latest Episodes:

Krish Kandiah, Founder of the Sanctuary Foundation, on welcoming refugees with open arms Jun 26, 2023

Show notes

The founder and director of the Sanctuary Foundation, Krish Kandiah, talks about the importance of welcoming refugees into our communities. He describes the work of the Sanctuary Foundation and shares his own personal experience of opening his home and welcoming refugees to live with his family.

Despite what the negative headlines might suggest, the British public has demonstrated great warmth and generosity, opening their homes to complete strangers who seek refuge from war and conflict in Ukraine and elsewhere.

The pendulum of public attitudes is moving in the right direction and there’s much we can do to build on this momentum. Just days after marking World Refugee Day on 20th June 2023, this episode will inform, inspire, and prompt you to do more.

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.

Emma Cherniavsky, UK CEO of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) on World Refugee Day and Changing the Narrative of how Refugees and Displaced Persons are Perceived Jun 19, 2023

Show notes

Ahead of World Refugee Day on 20th June 2023, Emma Cherniavsky, UK CEO of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) joins us to discuss the refugee and displaced persons crisis.

Emma explains that World Refugee Day is a time to celebrate what refugees have brought to our countries, societies and communities. It’s a time to celebrate the courage, resilience, and extraordinary contributions of refugees and displaced persons.

This episode provides context of the refugee and displaced persons crisis across the globe and highlights the importance of changing the negative narratives often projected in the media.

We shed light on the work of the UNHCR, both on the front lines and in host countries -- ranging from emergency, humanitarian aid to long-term initiatives focused on education, employability, and inclusion.

Our conversation also explores the wide range of partnerships with NGOs, government and other sectors in support of UNHCR’s work, and we pay specific attention to the increasing importance and relevance of the private sector in helping drive this work forward.

We conclude on a positive note, shedding light on the immense levels of public generosity and provide a range of ways in which folks can get involved.

Hilary Cottam, Professor at the Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose at UCL (University College London) and author of Radical Help, on social design and rethinking our vertical post-war systems Jun 12, 2023

Show notes

Hilary Cottam joins us to explore the field of social design and rethinking our vertical, post-war systems so as to ensure that we are not simply putting 1950s systems online, but rather are actually embracing a digital mindset with collaboration and sharing that are front and centre, being mindful that today’s challenges are vast and urgent and we need to think about them differently and rethink how we design new social systems that are fit for purpose.

So, whether you’re a policy maker, a corporate strategist or want to glean what the future of our society could look like, today’s episode is for you.

Sophie Otiende, CEO of the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery, on creating a survivor-led environment Jun 05, 2023

Show notes

The CEO of the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery, Sophie Otiende, advocates for a survivor-led environment, enabling those with lived experience to have space, use their voice and become leaders in tackling modern slavery.

Sophie was trafficked as a child and is herself a survivor-leader; she knows what it feels like to be in a policy discussion where she’s the only person in the room who’s actually experienced human trafficking and to realise that the others in that room are observers of this problem.

At the Fund, they have developed a unique toolkit to help organisations understand themselves better and develop a roadmap enabling them to bring survivors into decision-making leadership positions. You can’t just tell people that something is wrong. You need to provide them with tools and roadmaps that lead to the meaningful inclusion of those who have lived experience.

There are many facets to this, from being mindful of the language that is used so that it’s accessible to everyone – not just policymakers or academics – to appreciating the power dynamics between funders and beneficiaries. Oftentimes, beneficiaries feel a sense of indignity and struggle to find their voice and make their views known.

In the past, most of the leaders tackling modern slavery have not had lived experience, which means most policies and programmes were defined by people who observe the problem but haven’t actually experienced it. Lived experience provides a unique vantage point that leads to different priorities and a unique understanding.

Priya Naik, Founder & CEO of Samhita, on sustainable livelihoods in India May 29, 2023

Show notes

Samhita’s Founder and CEO, Priya Naik, talks with us about sustainable livelihoods in India, social inclusiveness, gender, returnable grants and much more.

Their initial funders include the Omidyar Network and the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation; their partners include the likes of Unilever, Google and Kimberly-Clark.

Samhita embraces an ecosystem mindset, and they work closely not just with individual organisations but also with a range of collectives and collaboratives who engage diverse audiences and stakeholders.

Nitzan Pelman, CEO and Founder of Climb Hire, on the value of networks and leveraging social capital May 22, 2023

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Nitzan Pelman, CEO and Founder of Climb Hire, joins us to talk about the value of networks and leveraging social capital. So often, those who come from the most marginalised backgrounds don’t have the connections and don’t benefit from the social introductions that can prove invaluable in the labour market and in developing a successful career.

In this episode, we explore the innovative programmes run by Climb Hire, the social capital mindset they’re embracing, their innovative funding model and the value of their alumni network.

Nitzan Pelman founded Climb Hire in 2019 as a way to generate upward mobility for people earning below livable wage. Climb Hire’s programme model is based on Nitzan’s first-hand research as an Entrepreneur in Residence at LinkedIn, where she studied the powerful role that social networks can play in securing living wage jobs.

Gemma Mortensen, Founder and Co-Creator of New Constellations, on imagining and creating better, more beautiful futures May 15, 2023

Show notes

New Constellations’ Founder and Co-Creator, Gemma Mortensen, joins us to advocate the value of big ideas, unconventional thinking, convening diverse stakeholders and imagining better futures.

New Constellations was created to hold and grow new, experimental spaces for people to examine the moment of upheaval we are living through, and to imagine and begin shaping the better futures that can emerge from it; futures in which humanity and the planet flourish together.

If you appreciate the power of creative thinking that is not constrained by preconceptions or overly concerned with convention, this episode is for you.

International Rescue Committee’s (IRC) UK Executive Director, Laura Kyrke-Smith, on supporting refugees in the UK May 08, 2023

Show notes

Laura Kyrke-Smith is the IRC’s Executive Director in the UK and she joins us to discuss their work in supporting refugees and asylum seekers in the UK who come from Syria, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Iraq, Sudan and beyond.

This episode follows the earlier interview with David Miliband, President and CEO of the IRC, which aired in April 2021 and provided a global outlook of the IRC’s work.

The IRC in the UK provides support through various activities, including orientation for newcomers, employment counselling, peer mentorship and leadership training.

They have five key outcome areas including health; education; economic wellbeing and empowerment; safety (including child and women’s protection); and power (helping their clients be part of the decision-making on matters that impact their lives).

This episode is for anyone who is interested in the humanitarian space and who would like to learn of key initiatives that are helping refugees achieve a better life.

John May, Chief Executive of Cats Protection, on the Power of Volunteering May 01, 2023

Show notes

Join us as we sit down with John May, Chief Executive of Cats Protection, one of the largest animal welfare organizations in the UK.

Our conversation focuses on the power of volunteering and its evolution in today's world. Whether you're a people person or prefer the company of animals, whether you have a lot of time or just a little, there's likely a volunteering role out there for you.

Drawing on his extensive experience as the former Secretary General of the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Foundation, John shares his insights into how volunteering can transform lives and improve our world.

Don't miss this inspiring episode where we learn about the incredible work of Cats Protection and how anyone can make a difference through volunteering.

Gary Haugen, CEO & Founder of International Justice Mission (IJM), on Protecting People Living in Poverty from Violence Apr 24, 2023

Show notes

Gary Haugen is the CEO & Founder of International Justice Mission (IJM), a global human rights organization that works to protect the poor from violence.

The context here is not one of war, conflict or mass atrocities but, rather, the everyday violence present in many low-income and marginalized communities around the globe, such as gender violence, forced labor, human trafficking, sexual violence, police abuse and land theft.

The issue is multifaceted, and so is our conversation. Are the proper laws in place to protect a country’s citizens? Is there political will to protect those who are most marginalized? Are laws being enforced? Are social norms exacerbating the problem?

IJM was founded 26 years ago and today has around 1,500 staff based in 30 offices across the globe. IJM works with national governments and local stakeholders. Their teams are local and include lawyers, criminal investigators, trauma social workers and local advocates.

This episode looks at poverty from an angle of violence prevention. The conversation will inform you and provide insight on IJM’s drive to transform local justice systems to protect those living in poverty.

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