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Key Theme: Other: Community empowerment Type: Execution
Objectives:
The launch of a piloting Globally Responsible Leadership programme – open enrolment, but designed for possible tailoring.
Next steps:
Brief / Tentative invitation: Bill; week of July 17
Back staging – tentative action and timeplan: Laura; July 31
Champion:
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Co-conspirators:
Bill, Laura, Ellen, Alessia, Swar, Simon, Stef, Swar January 2008
Since I joined the AHI in October 2008, I have succeeded in launching the BoP (doing business at the base of the pyramid) successfully within the AHI and CHAMSA (Chamber and Industry Movement of SA) of which we are part. I have also persuaded CHAMSA to launch in 2008 an initiative called Business Against Poverty (BaP). BoP and BaP will be the theme of the annual meeting and conference of CHAMSA in March 2008. We have positive indications of cooperation with people from Denmark, Sweden and Belgium regarding BoP projects for the future. The Kellogg Foundation has also given an indication that the second grant for the BOP Learning Laboratory SA will be available from end of January. The latter program will include projects in Khayelitsha (Cape Town), Alexandra/Soweto (Gauteng), Mangaung (Bloemfontein), Mozambique and Lesotho and will involve the business schools of Stellenbosch, Pretoria (GIBS) and the UFS.
Through the above and other initiatives we promote leadership for a sustainable country and region (southern Africa) where it matters most, namely in poor communities. We trust that these projects will be seen to contribute to the general thrust of the GRLI.
Current Projects that are being undertaken by Welingkar under this Gateway Action are: 1) Project Netrutva (Leadership)
Time frame: June 2005 and continuing
Brief description: Underprivileged youth and drop-outs are empowered through MBA education along with a conducive learning environment, a mentor support system and thus a better quality of life. In 2005 we selected two individuals (including a drop-out) who passed out in 2007 and secured plum placements through campus. In 2006 we selected four individuals (including three drop-outs working with micro-credit organisations from strife-torn North-East India) and in 2007 we have roped in four new candidates from different parts of the country.
Objectives: - To provide social-economic empowerment to disadvantaged individuals
- To reaffirm our commitment to ‘Affirmative Action’
- To combat the so-called ‘war for talent’ that companies claim to encounter when there are 40 million unemployed in India who are desperate to learn and earn
- To harness the potential of talent which has a high EQ as those who have battled tough conditions in life may bring to the table better decision making and risk-taking abilities
- To set an example of values-based leadership as the project works on a model in which our regular post-graduate management students who are their peers take on the responsibility of mentoring and coaching the candidates through the two year program
Outcomes:
- Corporate participation and sponsorship
- Economic prosperity
- Multiplier effect
(Detailed report available with the Project Leader of this Gateway Action as well as with the GRLI Centre Manager)
2) Street Craft
Time frame: September 2007 and continuing
Brief description: This student-driven project has been designed to provide socio-economic empowerment to artisans living on the streets of Mumbai. Our students identified artisans living on the streets of Mumbai, surveyed their community, provided them with design inputs, gave them business through Welingkar and are connecting with organisations for sustaining this entrepreneurship model
Objectives:
- To uplift and integrate the people at the bottom of the pyramid into the mainstream
- To develop entrepreneurship and thus help the economically deprived to find the means of a sustainable livelihood.
Outcomes:
- The first business that they received from Welingkar got them 16 times more earnings than the otherwise meagre income
- Corporate interest in their products has the potential of new business for them
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